Erectile dysfunction in Arab countries. Part I: Prevalence and correlates

OBJECTIVE: To review the contemporary knowledge of local investigations in the Arab countries that were conducted to identify the magnitude of erectile dysfunction (ED) and its correlates among men in this region. METHODS: MEDLINE was reviewed for English-language reports from 2000 to 2011 for Arab countries, using the terms ‘erectile dysfunction’ and ‘prevalence’. RESULTS: In all, 102 articles were found to be relevant to the review. Unfortunately only a few had a high level of evidence and the remaining studies were not controlled in their design. Several local studies showed that the prevalence of ED was >40% among Arab men. Risk factors and medical comorbidities that negatively affect the cardiovascular system, endothelial function and ultimately erectile function were common in men in Arab countries. For instance, at least five Arab countries are included in the top 10 countries worldwide with a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus. The global statistics showed that other risk factors such as obesity, smoking, hypertension and dyslipidaemia are also very prevalent in Arab countries. This fact can explain the high incidence of both cardiovascular disease and ED among Arab men. CONCLUSION: ED is very prevalent among Arab men. Arab countries are among those with the highest prevalence of endothelial dysfunction risk factors, which could explain this high prevalence of ED.