%0 Journal Article %T Lack of awareness of erectile dysfunction in many men with risk factors for erectile dysfunction %A Ridwan Shabsigh %A Joel Kaufman %A Michelle Magee %A Dana Creanga %A David Russell %A Meeta Budhwani %J BMC Urology %D 2010 %I BioMed Central %R 10.1186/1471-2490-10-18 %X Men ¡Ý30 years old presenting with ¡Ý1 erectile dysfunction risk factor (controlled hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, metabolic syndrome, stable coronary artery disease, diabetes, depression, lower urinary tract symptoms, obesity [body mass index ¡Ý30 kg/m2] or waist circumference ¡Ý40 inches), and not previously diagnosed with erectile dysfunction were evaluated. The screening question, "Do you have erectile dysfunction?," with responses of "no," "yes," and "unsure," and the Erectile Function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) were administered.Of 1084 men screened, 1053 answered the screening question and also had IIEF-EF scores. IIEF-EF scores indicating erectile dysfunction occurred in 71% (744/1053), of whom 54% (399/744) had moderate or severe erectile dysfunction. Of 139 answering "yes," 526 answering "unsure," and 388 answering "no," 96%, 90%, and 36%, respectively, had some degree of erectile dysfunction. The mean¡ÀSD (range) number of risk factors was 2.9 ¡À 1.7 (3-8) in the "yes" group, 3.2 ¡À 1.7 (3-9) in the "unsure" group, and 2.6 ¡À 1.5 (2-8) in the "no" group.Although awareness of having erectile dysfunction was low, most men with risk factors had IIEF-EF scores indicating erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction should be suspected and assessed in men with risk factors, regardless of their apparent level of awareness of erectile dysfunction.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00343200.Erectile dysfunction affects quality of life and may be associated with depression[1-4]. Men with erectile dysfunction often have other comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease[5-8]. Conversely, men consulting with their physician for comorbidities or other risk factors for erectile dysfunction may also have underlying erectile dysfunction, which may or may not be recognized.Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to attain or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance[9] %U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2490/10/18