Naomi M. Gades, DVM, MS¹, Ajay Nehra, MD², Debra J. Jacobson, MS³, Michaela E. McGree, BS³, Cynthia J. Girman, DrPH⁴, Thomas Rhodes, MS⁴, Rosebud O Roberts, MD MS¹, Michael M. Lieber, MD², and Steven J Jacobsen, MD, PhD¹. (1) Department of Health Sciences Research, Division of Epidemiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, 507-266-1498, gades.naomi@mayo.edu, (2) Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, (3) Department of Health Sciences Research, Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, (4) Merck Research Labs, P.O. Box 4, West Point, PA 19486-004

Previous studies have shown that the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) increases with age. These studies have attributed the increase in ED to smoking and comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease (CHD). Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between ED and these comorbidities using data from the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms and Health Status among Men. During 1989-1991, Caucasian men ages 40-79 years were randomly selected from the Olmsted County, MN population and completed a questionnaire assessing smoking status and sexual function. Comorbidities were abstracted from their medical record. Of the 1327 men with a regular sexual partner, 47 were classified as diabetic, 269 as hypertensive, and 134 with CHD. Regardless of smoking status or comorbidity, 201 men reported having ED. After adjusting for age, smoking status and these comorbidities, there were no differences between the unadjusted- and adjusted-odds of having ED. Compared with men in their forties, men in their fifties, sixties, and seventies had an unadjusted-odds ratio of having ED of OR 2.8, (95% CI 1.1, 7.3), OR 11.6, (95% CI 4.6, 29.2), and OR 34.9, (95% CI 13.9, 88.1), respectively. For the same age groups, the adjusted-odds ratio of having ED was OR 2.8, (95% CI 1.1, 7.3), OR 10.8, (95% CI 4.3, 27.4), and OR 28.9, (95% CI 11.3, 74.3), respectively. These results suggest there may be other factors responsible for age-related increases in reported ED other than those related to smoking status and these comorbidities.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Understand the association between aging and erectile dysfunction.
• Understand the association between smoking and erectile dysfunction.
• Understand the potential impact of comorbidities on the association between age and erectile dysfunction.

Keywords: Aging, Smoking

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.