Impotence in medical clinic outpatients

Authors:
  • MSMichael F. Slag
    Michael F. Slag
  • JMJohn E. Morley
    John E. Morley
  • MEMichael K. Elson
    Michael K. Elson
  • DTDace L. Trence
    Dace L. Trence
  • CNCarrie J. Nelson
    Carrie J. Nelson
  • ANAverial E. Nelson
    Averial E. Nelson
  • WKWilliam B. Kinlaw
    William B. Kinlaw
  • HBH. Stephen Beyer
    H. Stephen Beyer
  • FNFrank Q. Nuttall
    Frank Q. Nuttall
  • RSRex B. Shafer
    Rex B. Shafer
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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), T3resin 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. (JAMA1983;249:1736-1740)

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