Sexual Dysfunction in Men with Systolic Heart Failure and Associated Factors

Heart failure is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction. This study seeks to investigate the incidence and factors associated with erectile dysfunction in patients with systolic heart failure. This is a cross sectional study that was conducted on 100 male patients with systolic heart failure in 2009. Convenience sampling was used to gather the required data. Data collection instruments included a demographic data form, IIEF-5 (The International Index of Erectile Function, a 5-item version), MLHFQ (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure), and CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). The data was analyzed by SPSS software and using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient. The findings indicated that the mean score of erectile dysfunction was 14.02±6.26 and 80% of male patients with systolic heart failure suffered from erectile dysfunction. There was a significant relationship between erectile dysfunction and age (p>0.001), education (p=0.019), occupation (p=0.002), hemoglobin level (p=0.003), left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.030), cholesterol level (p=0.001), renal dysfunction (p=0.009), use of digoxin (p=0.014), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (P<0.001), beta blocker (p=0.001), diuretics (p=0.035), depression (p<0.001), and quality of life (p<0.001). Erectile dysfunction is the most common problem in patients with systolic heart failure and is associated with age, medical conditions, co-morbidity, medicinal treatments and psychological disorders. In patients with heart failure, erectile dysfunction has a negative impact on quality of life.