Association between lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction assessed using the core lower urinary tract symptom score and International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaires

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) using the Core Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score (CLSS) and the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF)-5 questionnaires.

Methods: A total of 220 consecutive treatment-naive men completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), CLSS, and IIEF-5 questionnaires. The clinical diagnoses were benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH, n=58), prostatic cancer (n=51), prostatitis (n=28), overactive bladder wet (OAB wet, n=16), other diagnoses (n=39), and controls (n=28). Simple statistics and predictability of low IIEF-5 score were examined.

Results: The total IIEF-5 score significantly correlated with both the IPSS and CLSS questionnaires (p=0.0001). Among IPSS and CLSS symptoms, factors other than daytime frequency and incomplete emptying showed significant correlation with the total IIEF-5 score. A multivariate regression model indicated nocturia and urethral pain as independent factors for low IIEF-5 scores.

Conclusion: Urethral pain was identified as an independent factor for erectile dysfunction. The extraction of pain symptoms using CLSS questionnaire may be useful to evaluate LUTS in men with pelvic health problems.