Association of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) with sexual dysfunction in men aged more than 50 years

AIM / OBJECTIVES: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) and sexual dysfunction are common in older men. This study was conducted to assess the association of sexual dysfunction in Indian men over 50 years with LUTS and to determine the associated factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Men over 50 years attending the LUTS clinic were interviewed and examined after informed consent by the primary investigator. A control group similar to that aforementioned, but without LUTS was selected. Base line data were recorded. Objective evaluation of LUTS and sexual dysfunction was performed by the IPSS and IIEF 15. Serum testosterone, blood sugars and lipid profile were measured. RESULTS: Both the LUTS and no LUTS groups comprised of 134 patients each. Baseline characteristics in both groups were comparable. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction amongst men with LUTS was 47% whereas it was 24% in men without LUTS. LUTS was the reason for sexual inactivity in a majority of the cases. Most of the components of the IIEF 15 were highly associated with LUTS. Increasing age was significantly associated with the decreasing sexual activity. Severity of LUTS was associated with increase in the erectile dysfunction. However co morbidities, education, smoking, BMI, hypercholesterolemia and serum testosterone had no statistically significant association with sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction is prevalent in men over 50 years with LUTS. LUTS was the reason for sexual inactivity in a majority of men over 50 with LUTS. There was a significant decline of sexual function with age. Other factors studied had no significant association with LUTS