World J Mens Health.  2019 May;37(2):199-209. 10.5534/wjmh.180054.

Changes in the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction during a Decade: The Korean Internet Sexuality Survey (KISS), a 10-Year-Interval Web-Based Survey

• Song WH
• Park J
• Yoo S
• Oh S
• Cho SY
• Cho MC
• Jeong H
• Son H

• KMID: 2443235
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.180054

Abstract

PURPOSE
Although the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) can be affected by social changes, this association has not been well evaluated. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of ED through a 10-year-interval web-based survey using the previous database of same group of panels, with same methodology.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We sent e-mails and surveyed the panels registered in the Internet survey agency.
RESULTS
In total, 900 participants were recruited in 2016. The age-adjusted overall prevalences of self-reported ED (self-ED) and International Index of Erectile Function-5-assessed ED (IIEF-5-ED; score ≤21) in the 2016 study were 3.2% and 44.8%, respectively, which were lower than the prevalences of 8.1% (p=0.036) and 51.4% (p=0.323), respectively, in the 2006 study. The risk factors of IIEF-5-ED in their 20s and 30s in 2016 were psycho-social factors such as depression, low frequency of conversation about sex with sexual partner. The risk factors of IIEF-5-ED in their 40s to 60s in 2016 were organic factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol use, and self-reported premature ejaculation.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the age-adjusted overall prevalence of self-ED has decreased during a decade, there was no difference in the age-adjusted overall prevalence of IIEF-5-ED. Psycho-social support may be important for young men with ED and overall healthcare can be helpful for elderly men with ED.

Keyword

Erectile dysfunction; Internet; Prevalence; Risk factors

MeSH Terms

Aged
Delivery of Health Care
Depression
Diabetes Mellitus
Electronic Mail
Erectile Dysfunction*
Humans
Hypertension
Internet*
Male
Premature Ejaculation
Prevalence*
Risk Factors*
Sexual Partners
Sexuality*
Smoke
Smoking
Social Change
Smoke

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Comparison of age-adjusted prevalence of self-reported erectile dysfunction (self-ED) and International Index of Erectile Function-5-assessed erectile dysfunction (IIEF-5-ED) between the 2006 and 2016 studies. (A) Age-adjusted prevalence of self-ED between 2006 and 2016. (B) Age-adjusted prevalence of IIEF-5-ED between 2006 and 2016. aFor comparison with the 2006 study, the age-adjusted overall prevalence was calculated excluding the 60s age group.

• 

  Fig. 2 Total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) according to the severity of International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5)-assessed erectile dysfunction (score ≤21) in the 2016 study.

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