1. ¹Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
2. ²Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
3. ³Humana Health Services Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
4. ⁴Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
5. ⁵Leonard J Chabert Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Houma, LA, USA

Correspondence: Dr B Lopez, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital North Wing 210, 1611 NW 12th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA. E-mail: blopez21@bellsouth.net

Received 16 May 2008; Revised 26 June 2008; Accepted 11 July 2008; Published online 14 August 2008.

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem in male patients with heart failure (HF). However, no study was found that estimates the prevalence of ED by US ethnic groups with HF. We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study of patients enrolled in a HF disease management program in two sites Louisiana (N=329; 178 white, 99 black) and Florida (N=52; Hispanic). All male patients with an ejection fraction 40% were included. The Sexual Health Inventory for Men was used to estimate the prevalence of ED. Overall prevalence of ED was 89% and ED severity did not vary by race/ethnic group. Race/ethnic group differences were found for age, New York Heart Association functional classification, and blood pressure. Hispanic patients had the lowest unadjusted and adjusted prevalence rate of ED (81, 85%) compared to Black (90, 95%) and White (91, 92%) patients. There is a high prevalence of ED in Hispanic, Black and White ethnic groups with HF.