Depressive symptoms and marital adjustment among primary care patients with erectile dysfunction in Umuahia, Nigeria

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED), marital adjustment and depression. METHODS: The survey was conducted among primary care patients at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia. Subjects were 678 married, male primary care patients; aged 20–70 years (mean age = 45 years). ED was assessed by International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) score, the presence of clinically significant depressive symptoms was assessed with the 5-item version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and marital adjustment was assessed with the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS). RESULTS: The prevalence of probable depression by CES-D and ED by IIEF-5 score was 20.9% and 26.0%, respectively. Marital distress was rampant (62.0%) among subjects with ED (p < 0.05, χ(2) = 196.58). Erectile dysfunction was associated with marital adjustment (p < 0.05). Partial correlation revealed that depression affects both ED and marital adjustment, and is closely related to both variables. CONCLUSION: Partner involvement and screening for depression should be emphasised in the care of patients with ED.