The evaluation of sexual function in men presenting with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia

Objective To evaluate quantitatively and qualitatively the degree of sexual dysfunction in an unselected population of men attending a prostate-assess ment clinic using a sexual-function inventory, and to ascertain the degree of correlation between sexual dysfunction, urinary symptoms and age. Patients and methods In all, 168 men with symptomatic BPH attending a prost ate assessment clinic were investigated prospectively using the Internation al Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), BPH Impact Index (BPHII), a measurement o f urinary now rate and residual urine volume, and a sexual function questio nnaire. The results were assessed using Spearman's rank order correlation t o discern any correlations between the measured variables. Results The data from 140 patients were available for analysis; of these, l ow scores were obtained in 59% for sexual drive, in 56% for erections (with 46% of men satisfying the National Institute of Health criterion for impot ence) and in 38% for ejaculation, There was a statistically significant ran k order correlation between age and the sexual symptom scores for each of t he three categories (sexual drive, erection and ejaculation), but no correl ation between age and the problem assessment scores for these domains, sugg esting that the older patients are just as bothered by their sexual dysfunc tion as the younger men, Furthermore, the BPHII scores correlated weakly bu t significantly with all aspects of sexual function, including overall sexu al satisfaction, in contrast to the poor correlation seen with the total IP SS and sexual function scores. Conclusion There is a significant number of patients with symptomatic BPH w ho have sexual dysfunction, with the proportion increasing with advancing a ge and with the older men still showing a high degree of bother from their symptoms, Sexual function scores were better correlated with BPHII scores t han with the total IPSS, although some of the individual IPSS questions cor related well.