Smoking and other lifestyle factors in relation to erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVE To assess the association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and various lifestyle and medical factors, including smoking and cardiovascular disease (CVD) medications, among men attending urology clinics in Kingston, Canada. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We conducted a case-control study of men aged 50-80 years in Kingston, Ontario who agreed to participate at visits to urology clinics during 1997-99. We compared 101 men with clinically diagnosed ED and 234 controls with various benign urological conditions. All men completed a questionnaire on lifestyle and medical factors. RESULTS Men with ED were twice as likely to be former smokers (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.9), and cumulative smoking in pack-years suggests a dose-response pattern with the risk of ED. Having diabetes was associated with double the risk of ED, and increased alcohol intake appeared to increase the risk. CONCLUSION There was a greater risk of ED among former smokers, and the suggestion of a dose-response relationship with cumulative smoking.