Impotence in medical clinic outpatients

JAMA. 1983 Apr 1;249(13):1736-40.

Abstract

One thousand one hundred eighty men in a medical outpatient clinic were screened as to the presence of impotence. Four hundred one men (34%) were impotent, and of those, 188 (47%) chose to be examined for their problem. After a comprehensive evaluation the following diagnoses were obtained: medication effect, 25%; psychogenic, 14%; neurological, 7%; urologic, 6%; primary hypogonadism, 10%; secondary hypogonadism, 9%; diabetes mellitus, 9%; hypothyroidism, 5%; hyperthyroidism, 1%; hyperprolactinemia, 4%; miscellaneous, 4%; and unknown causes, 7%. The mean age of the impotent patients was 59.4 years, and the prevalence of alcoholism was 7%. Luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, thyroxine, triiodothyronine (T3), T3 resin uptake, and prolactin studies were necessary to diagnose individual cases. We conclude that erectile dysfunction is a common and often overlooked problem in middle-aged men followed in a medical clinic.

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism / complications
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects
  • Diuretics / adverse effects
  • Endocrine System Diseases / complications
  • Erectile Dysfunction / chemically induced
  • Erectile Dysfunction / etiology*
  • Erectile Dysfunction / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Urologic Diseases / complications
  • Vasodilator Agents / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Diuretics
  • Vasodilator Agents