Prevalence and risk factors for erectile dysfunction in HIV-infected patients in Salvador, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) has increased life expectancy for HIV patients to levels close to that observed for general population. Comorbidities are also increasing, due to ageing of such population. Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been a frequent finding in men living with HIV. OBJECTIVES: The goals of the present study were to define the prevalence of ED and associated factors in HIV-infected men, in a referral center of Salvador city, Brazil. METHODS: HIV-infected men ≥18 years of age, receiving care at the AIDS Clinics of Complexo Hospitalar Professor Edgard Santos (C-HUPES), Universidade Federal da Bahia were consecutively included in the study until the estimated sample size (N = 134) was reached. Patients filled a structured questionnaire on clinical-epidemiological characteristics, as well as the International Index on Erectile Function to assess ED. RESULTS: Most (55%) were black and single (79%), mean age 44.8 years. ED was detected in 29 (21.6%) patients; 86% of ED cases were classified as severe. The only factors associated with ED were low income (p = 0.02) and unemployment (p = 0.01). No association was found between ED and frequency of comorbidities, age, or ART used by patients. CONCLUSION: In a referral center in Salvador city, socio-economic problems were the main factors associated with ED. Psychological impact of poor social conditions should be routinely assessed in patients with ED to implement preventive measures for ED.