The effect of age, ethnicity and geographical location on impotence and quality of life

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of impotence in men over 40 years of age and correlate impotence to age, geographical location, ethnicity and quality of life.

Subjects and methods: While attending 'The Prostate Cancer Awareness Week' in Madison, WI, USA, New Orleans, LA, USA and New York, NY, USA, 1680 men were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding impotence, age, geographical location, ethnicity and quality of life.

Results: Impotence was found to be significantly associated with age, was less associated with geographical location but independent of ethnicity. Men living in Madison reported a lower potency score compared with men living in New Orleans and New York. However, potency score for men living in Madison did not appear to decline as rapidly with age when compared with men living in New Orleans and New York. Impotence and quality of life were also found to be associated even when the quality of life estimates were adjusted for age, geographical location, and age by geographical location.

Conclusion: This study indicates that impotent men have a lower quality of life than potent men and has confirmed previous findings that age is associated with impotence. Surprisingly, answers to impotence questions were also associated with geographical location.