Erectile dysfunction in hypertensive patients: screening and management by general practitioners in france

Objective: Non-compliance remains one of the main factors of poor blood pressure control in France and worldwide. Erectile dysfunction (ED), a cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF), is common in hypertensive patients. The general practitioner (GP) is in the front line in the management of hypertension and is often the first point of contact in the event of ED. To review the knowledge and practices of a sample of French GPs to promote the French Society of Hypertension (SFHTA) expert consensus on ED in hypertensive patients. Design and method: Descriptive observational study, carried out in a declarative mode via a Google Forms questionnaire distributed to 102 GPs practicing in Seine-St-Denis. Results: GPs (94,1 %) didn’t know the French Expert Consensus of the SFHTA, regardless their age or their mode of exercise. Only 10% of the GPs talked about ED with their patient regularly, whereas 68.6% of them declared to be comfortable discussing sexuality. GPs recognized ED as CVRF marker and were aware of possible side effects of the antihypertensive treatment on sexual function of their patient. However, the GPs were divided on the fact of warning the patients of the possible side effect of the treatments. Conclusions: Beyond the fact that the French Expert Consensus of the SFHTA concerning ED in hypertensive patients (2018) is not known in GPs, this work also highlights the difficulty of addressing the subject in consultation. Not prescribing beta-blockers in hypertensive patients (without any other indication) and identifying hypertensive patients with CVRF a fortiori with several drug classes are key elements for the best management of ED and combat non-compliance in hypertension.