Donnelly, D, Kearney, T, McCaughan, E et al. (4 more authors) (2018) Treatment for erectile dysfunction among older men in Northern Ireland. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 73 (1). e13259. ISSN 1368-5031
Abstract
Background
Erectile dysfunction is common among older men; however, diagnosis and treatment compared to reported prevalence is low. We aim to identify the degree to which older men are offered treatment for the condition and determine the level of unmet need within Northern Ireland (NI).
Methodology
Analysis of data collected using a cross‐sectional survey was conducted for men aged ≥60 years with data weighted to the NI population by age and deprivation. Respondents answered questions on sociodemographic factors, health‐related characteristics, ability to function sexually, level of sexual interest and activity, and any treatment offered to improve erections in the last 3 years. Results are presented as proportions reporting treatment receipt, with differences by respondent characteristics assessed using chi‐square tests and multivariable logistic regression.
Results
Among 2597 respondents, 46.5% reported erectile dysfunction. One quarter (25.8%) recalled being offered either medication, devices, or specialised services to improve erections. The offer of treatment was associated with younger age, being separated or divorced, higher number of long‐term conditions, and greater interest in sex. Of men reporting erectile dysfunction and offered medication, 28.8% found them helpful and currently use them.
Conclusions
As a result of not being offered treatment or not finding treatment useful, 93% of men reporting erectile dysfunction have no help with the condition. This is a likely consequence of treatment availability through the NHS in NI, but also suggests that healthcare professionals need to engage more proactively with older men, discussing sexual health routinely and following up those treated for the condition.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Donnelly, D, Kearney, T, McCaughan, E et al. (4 more authors) (2018) Treatment for erectile dysfunction among older men in Northern Ireland. International Journal of Clinical Practice. e13259, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.13259. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > Institute of Molecular Medicine (LIMM) (Leeds) > Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Prostate Cancer UK PROMS |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 25 Sep 2018 08:29 |
Last Modified: | 17 Sep 2019 00:39 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley-Blackwell |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/ijcp.13259 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:136113 |