The Association between Interpersonal Relationship and Erectile Dysfunction of Middle-Aged and Elderly Men in a Rural Area of Zhejiang, China

Objective: To explore the association between interpersonal relationship and erectile dysfunction (ED) of middle-aged and elderly men. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional research was conducted in the rural area of Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province, in 2016. Middle-aged and elderly men (aged 40-80) were selected as study participants. The face-to-face questionnaire was collected, including basic information, lifestyles, interpersonal relationship, and sexual function. The interpersonal relationship was evaluated based on marital relationship, neighborhood relationship, and relatives/friends relationship. According to the International index of erectile function, the study participants were divided into ED group (mild ED, moderate-to-severe ED), and non-ED group. Correlations were evaluated between interpersonal relationship indices and the prevalence or the severity of Ell. Potential confounders were adjusted by the logistical regression model. Results: There were 674 study participants with average age of 60.4 +/- 8.5 years,and 489 ED patients with prevalence of 72.6%. With age increasing, the prevalence and the severity of ED increased significantly. The men who could get help from spouse when an emergency occurred or who were more cared about by their neighbors had lower ED risk, and odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were 0.23 (0.13-0.42) and 0.58 (0.46-0.75), respectively. After the adjustment of the covariates (age, education degree, household income, smoking, and drinking), the ORs (95% CDs) were 0.29 (0.14-0.60) and 0.54 (0.39-0.74), respectively. Good marital relationship and good neighborhood relationship were associated with a less severity of F.D. Conclusions: The risk of ED was negatively correlated with marital relationship and neighborhood relationship.