Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) among People Living with HIV in Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Sexual problems are rarely addressed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) management, even though overt sexual dysfunctions are more prevalent in people living with HIV. This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) among HIVinfected men in a stable clinical state, examine the relationship between antiretroviral therapy (ART) exposure and sexual dysfunction, and identify the associated risk factors. This cross-sectional study recruited HIV-positive males who visited the Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) center of Imam Khomeini Hospital (Tehran) in 2020. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire was used to evaluate the ED in participants. Sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected. Of 65 patients who participated in this study, 27.7% had ED. The mean age of participants with and without ED was 39.4±11.5 and 40.4±7.6 years old, respectively. No significant difference was observed between patients with and without ED concerning the sociodemographic status and the use of ART drugs. The prevalence of ED is relatively high among men living with HIV. Future research is recommended among HIV-positive males to identify the underlying causes and explore the potential impact that associated psychological distress could have on sexual dysfunction.