Changes in the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction during a Decade: The Korean Internet Sexuality Survey (KISS), a 10-Year-Interval Web-Based Survey

• Main Authors: Won Hoon Song, Juhyun Park, Sangjun Yoo, Sohee Oh, Sung Yong Cho, Min Chul Cho, Hyeon Jeong, Hwancheol Son
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology 2019-05-01
• Series: The World Journal of Men's Health
• Subjects: Erectile dysfunction; Internet; Prevalence; Risk factors

Purpose: Although the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) can be affected by social changes, this association has not been well evaluated. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of ED through a 10-year-interval web-based sur-vey using the previous database of same group of panels, with same methodology. Materials and Methods: We sent e-mails and surveyed the panels registered in the Internet survey agency. Results: In total, 900 participants were recruited in 2016. The age-adjusted overall prevalences of self-reported ED (self-ED) and International Index of Erectile Function-5-assessed ED (IIEF-5-ED; score ≤21) in the 2016 study were 3.2% and 44.8%, respectively, which were lower than the prevalences of 8.1% (p=0.036) and 51.4% (p=0.323), respectively, in the 2006 study. The risk factors of IIEF-5-ED in their 20s and 30s in 2016 were psycho-social factors such as depression, low frequency of conversation about sex with sexual partner. The risk factors of IIEF-5-ED in their 40s to 60s in 2016 were organic factors, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol use, and self-reported premature ejaculation. Conclusions: Although the age-adjusted overall prevalence of self-ED has decreased during a decade, there was no differ-ence in the age-adjusted overall prevalence of IIEF-5-ED. Psycho-social support may be important for young men with ED and overall healthcare can be helpful for elderly men with ED.