Assessment of Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia Using the Sexual Function Index at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

BackgroundErectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve and maintain a steady erection for sexual performance. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is becoming more common in the general population, particularly among elderly men with lower urinary tract symptoms and those with benign prostatic hyperplasia. This rise in erectile dysfunction has also been attributed by several other etiologies, which includes inflammatory, mechanical, psychological, occlusive vascular, trauma, endocrine, neurologic, chemical and extra factors (prostatectomy, old age). The purpose of the study was to assess erectile dysfunction in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia before treatment using international index of erectile function (IIEF) tool. MethodologyHospital-based cross-sectional study from March 2021 to June 2022, which involved 188 patients clinically diagnosed with benign prostatic enlargement. Convenient sampling method was used to recruit participants and structured questionnaires were used to attain social demographic characteristics. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) was used to assess, diagnose patients with BPH as well as the severity of LUTS and international index of erectile function (IIEF) was used to assess erectile dysfunction. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 27. ResultsThe proportion of ED in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia/LUTS using IIEF tool was found to be 154(82%) and those with no erectile dysfunction was 34(18%). The factors that were statistically associated with erectile dysfunction were age, marital status, cigarette smoking, and diabetes mellitus. ConclusionErectile dysfunction is very common in men who have Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. The prevalence and severity of ED increased with age, diabetes, cigarette smoking, lower urinary tract symptoms, and hypertension, according to the study.