Is overactive bladder a risk factor for erectile dysfunction? A cross-sectional study

Aim: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain penile erection during sexual activity. Many risk factors have been identified in ED-related epidemiological studies. In experimental studies, a relationship is thought to exist between Overactive Bladder (OAB) and ED. We investigated the relationship between OAB and ED, its clinical reflections, and the odds ratio of OAB for ED. Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional prospective study between January-July 2020. Sixty patients referred to the urology outpatient clinic with complaints of OAB (Group 1) and 66 patients without urological complaints (Group 2) were included in the study. Patients’ erectile functions were evaluated with the IIEF-5 form. OAB was evaluated with the OAB-V8 form. Results: The groups were similar in terms of age, body mass index, comorbidity, and smoking status. IIEF-5 scores were higher in Group 2 [20.52 (3.51)] compared to Group 1 [18.17 (5.46)] (P=0.036). Correlation analysis between IEF-5 and OAB-V8 scores revealed a negative correlation; it was observed that the IIEF-5 score decreased as the OAB-V8 score increased (r=-0.260, P=0.045). The odds ratio of decreasing IIEF-5 score with each 1-unit increase of OAB-V8 score was 0.164 (P=0.04). It was observed that the patients diagnosed with OAB had lower IIEF-5 scores when they had nocturia. Conclusion: OAB is a risk factor for ED. The presence of nocturia symptoms is remarkable for ED in OAB patients. The effect of OAB should not be ignored in the treatment of ED.