RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Erectile dysfunction in general medicine
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 136
OP 140
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.13-2-136
VO 13
IS 2
A1 Paul Grant
A1 Graham Jackson
A1 Irfan Baig
A1 John Quin
YR 2013
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/13/2/136.abstract
AB Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects millions of men worldwide with implications that go far beyond sexual activity. ED is now recognised as an early marker of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus (DM) and depression. The risk factors that are associated with ED (sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, hypercholesterolaemia and the metabolic syndrome) are very similar to those for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Arguably, the awareness of ED as a symptomatic entity in the post-Viagra™ age is on the rise. Nevertheless, ED is commonly missed when evaluating patients in the hospital setting, either because of lack of consideration or awareness, or through simple embarrassment (of both clinician and patient). This article provides an overview of the aetiology, assessment and importance of ED and hopes to promote its consideration in day-to-day clinical practice.