Age-related erectile function differences among erectile dysfunction patients

Objectives: To investigate the age-related differences of erectile function and erectile hardness in erectile dysfunction( ED) patients. Method: The data were retrieved in a baseline database on an ED management study which was performed in 46 urological clinics in China. The patients were stratified on the basis of every 10 years( yrs) old. International Index of Erectile Function( IIEF-EF) and Erection Hardness Score were adopted as the scale to evaluate erectile functions and the Erection Hardness Score( EHS). Statistical analysis were then done to make comparisons among different age groups. Results: The study included 4241 ED patients with an age range from 20 to 84 yrs( average 42. 3 ± 12. 3 yrs); 55. 6% patients were between 31 to 50 yrs old. For patients over 30 yrs old,with the increase of age,both scores of IIEF-EF and EHS tended to decrease. Decrease of erectile function and erectile hardness scores were statistically significant between the patients aged over and below 50 yrs, and the conditions were even worse in the patients over 60 yrs. Conclusion: This study suggested that for men below 50 yrs old,prevention and treatment of ED were essential; while for those over 50 yrs old,the treatment of ED and the prevention of its comorbidities were highly recommended.