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Association among hypogonadism, quality of life and erectile dysfunction in middle-aged and aged male in Taiwan

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 19, pages 69–75 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

The association between hypogonadism, quality of life (QoL), and erectile dysfunction (ED) among the middle-aged and aged male in Taiwan is evaluated. A total of 680 study subjects aged ⩾40 years old were recruited from Northern (n=276), Middle (n=238), and Southern (n=202) Taiwan, respectively. ED was diagnosed by score of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Taiwan version questionnaire for QoL includes domain 1 (physical domain), domain 2 (psychological domain), domain 3 (social relationship domain), and domain 4 (environmental domain) was used to measure QoL. Blood hormones, including FSH, LH, Prolactin, SHBG, total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone (cFT), and bioavailable testosterone (Bio-T), were determined. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate crude and multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of risk factors and its 95% confidence interval. A significantly inverse association between concentration of serum cFT and Bio-T, and severity of ED was observed. Scores of QoL of Domain 1–4 were significantly decreased with the increament of severity of ED. Significant correlations were found between IIEF scores and four domains of QoL, respectively. After adjustment for age, cFT and Bio-T, study subjects with ED (IIEF⩽21) would have significantly high risk of low level of QoL in four domains. In conclusion, a significant association between low levels of serum calculated cFT, Bio-T, and severity of ED was found. In addition, abnormal erectile function significantly associated with low level of QoL in four domains.

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Acknowledgements

This study is in part financially supported by the Taiwanese Association of Andrology. With a collective collaboration, Drs HS Chiang, CR Yang, HC Wu, TL Wu, and SP Huang contributed to collect part of study subjects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

    T I S Hwang & T-F Tsai

  2. Department of Urology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

    T I S Hwang

  3. Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, Hsin Chuang, Taipei, Taiwan

    T I S Hwang

  4. School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan

    H-C Lo & H-Y Chiou

Authors
  1. T I S Hwang
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  2. H-C Lo
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  3. T-F Tsai
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  4. H-Y Chiou
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H-Y Chiou.

Appendix A

Appendix A

WHOQOL-BREF: Taiwanese-adapted version

Q1:

How would you rate your quality of life?

Q2:

How satisfied are you with your health?

Q3:

To what extent do you feel that physical pain prevents you from doing what you need to do?

Q4:

How much medical treatment do you need to function in your daily life?

Q5:

How much do you enjoy life?

Q6:

To what extent do you feel your life to be meaningful?

Q7:

How well are you able to concentrate?

Q8:

How safe do you feel in your daily life?

Q9:

How healthy is your physical environment?

Q10:

Do you have enough energy for everyday life?

Q11:

Are you able to accept your bodily appearance?

Q12:

Do you have enough money to meet your needs?

Q13:

How available to you is the information that you need in your day-to-day life?

Q14:

To what extent do you have the opportunity for leisure activities?

Q15:

How well are you able to get around?

Q16:

How satisfied are you with your sleep?

Q17:

How satisfied are you with your ability to perform your daily living activities?

Q18:

How satisfied are you with your capacity for work?

Q19:

How satisfied are you with yourself?

Q20:

How satisfied are you with your personal relationships?

Q21:

How satisfied are you with your sex life?

Q22:

How satisfied are you with the support you get from your friends?

Q23:

How satisfied are you with the conditions of your living place?

Q24:

How satisfied are you with your access to health services?

Q25:

How satisfied are you with your transport?

Q26:

How often do you have negative feelings such as a blue mood, despair, anxiety, or depression?

Q27:

Do you feel respected by others? (additional questionnaire for Taiwan version)

Q28:

Are you usually able to get the things you like to eat? (additional questionnaire for Taiwan version)

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Hwang, T., Lo, HC., Tsai, TF. et al. Association among hypogonadism, quality of life and erectile dysfunction in middle-aged and aged male in Taiwan. Int J Impot Res 19, 69–75 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901480

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