Smoking as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction: Data from the Andrology Prevention Weeks 2001-2002 a study of the Italian Society of Andrology (SIA)

Objective: To analyse the relationship between smoking and erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: To provide further data on this issue, we analysed information gathered from men attending a free andrologic consultation in 234 Italian medical centres, in the setting of a project focused on andrologic prevention. Men were asked about "their ability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance". If they were dissatisfied, they were defined as having ED. Results: Out of 16724 subjects, ED was diagnosed in 4081 men (24.4%). After adjustment for age, marital status, education, alcohol consumption, physical activity and concomitant pathologies, in comparison with never smokers, men who currently smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day and former smokers showed significantly higher odds ratio (ORs 1.4 and 1.3, respectively) for ED. These results were confirmed performing analysis in strata of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and hypercolesterolemia. Comments: This transversal observational study shows that the risk of ED is influenced by smoking. A dose- and duration-response effect is present; changes in smoking habits do not seem to significantly affect the risk to develop ED.