PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Anton Ponholzer

Publications and source records attributed to Anton Ponholzer.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Association between lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) is confounded by age or whether LUTS represent an independent risk factor for ED. METHODS: Men aged 20 to 80 years, who were participating in a health-screening project in the area of Vienna, completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the International Index of Erectile Function-5. In parallel, all men underwent a detailed health evaluation, including physical examination, evaluation of various lifestyle factors, and a blood laboratory study with 14 parameters. RESULTS: Within the total study population (n = 2858; mean age 45.8 years, range 20 to 80), the prevalence of LUTS and ED increased statistically significantly with age (P <0.0001). In multivariate analysis controlling for age, comorbidities, and lifestyle, the IPSS (P = 0.0001), the obstructive score of the IPSS (P = 0.0001), nocturia (P = 0.04), and the LUTS bother score (P = 0.002) correlated statistically significantly with the presence of ED (International Index of Erectile Function-5 score less than 22). The odds ratio for the presence of ED was 2.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8 to 2.8) for LUTS (IPSS greater than 7), 2.0 (95% CI 1.7 to 2.4) for voiding symptoms, 1.4 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.7) for nocturia (score greater than 2), and 2.5 (95% CI 2.0 to 3.1) for the LUTS bother score. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of LUTS, in particular voiding symptoms, nocturia, and the quality-of-life impairment due to LUTS, is an independent risk factor for the presence of ED. These findings have implications for the treatment of elderly men with LUTS and open a new area for research.

Adult↗

Prevalence and risk factors for erectile dysfunction in Austria--analysis of a health screening project.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED) in men undergoing a health investigation. METHODS: Men aged 30-69 yrs participating in a health screening project in the area of Vienna completed a 11-item questionnaire on ED which was extracted from the international index of erectile function (IIEF). In parallel, all men underwent a detailed health examination including physical assessment, evaluation of various life-style factors and a blood analysis with 14 parameters. RESULTS: Within the total study population (n = 832; 45.3 +/- 9.8 yrs), 8.2% reported no sexual intercourse during the previous four weeks, 5.1% reported moderate/severe ED, 13.1% mild and 73.6% no ED. ED, defined as any problem in maintaining erection until the end of sexual intercourse, increased from 12.5% in those aged 30-39 yrs to 15.3% at 40-49 yrs, 27.4% at 50-59 yrs and 45.2% in men 60-69 yrs. In parallel, the percentage of men without sexual intercourse during the previous four weeks increased from 7.4% at 30-39 yrs to 8.8% at 50-59 yrs and 17.0% at 60-69 yrs. By far the strongest correlate for ED was age; other factors were cardiovascular diseases, physical activity and diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first estimate of the prevalence of ED in different life decades of men in Vienna, and identifies a number of risk factors for this highly prevalent disorder in ageing men.

Adult↗

The natural history of lower urinary tract symptoms over five years.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the natural history of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a cohort of previously untreated men over five years. METHODS: Men participating in a health-screening project completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) in 1996. In 2001, men older than 45 years with no prostate surgery or LUTS-specific medication before 1996 completed the IPSS plus a questionnaire on several aspects of LUTS. At the same time, all men underwent a health examination in 1996 and 2001. RESULTS: A total 456 men aged 52+/-12 years (range: 40-84) at baseline completed the 5-year follow-up. Mean IPSS increased from 4.6 to 5.5 (+20%; p<0.0001) and the IPSS-Ql from 0.8 to 1.1 (+38%; p<0.0001) over five years. Progression of IPSS and IPSS-Ql were highly correlated. No change of IPSS was reported by 19%, a worsening by 50% and an improvement by 31%. Not all aspects of LUTS progressed in a similar pattern, storage symptoms had a higher tendency to improve over time. Medical therapy was initiated in 7%, 39% and 67% of those with mild, moderate or severe LUTS at baseline, respectively. In a multivariate analysis age and degree of being bothered by LUTS were independent predictors for initiation of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This 5-year longitudinal study of men without previous LUTS treatment demonstrates the slow nature of the disease's progression. Not all aspects of LUTS progress in a similar pattern. Initiation of therapy is influenced by patient age and by the degree of being bothered by LUTS.

Adult↗

Frequent use of complementary medicine by prostate cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by prostate cancer patients and to characterize CAM-users in this population. METHODS: Prostate cancer patients who underwent routine follow-up at urological practices completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire on lower urinary tract function, sexuality, quality of life and use of CAM. All patients with biopsy proven cancer irrespective of age, stage and therapy were eligible. RESULTS: 822 men (69+/-8.5 years; range: 45-95) entered this survey. 245 men (29.8%) used at least one form of CAM, most frequent forms were fat-reduced diet (13.3%), selenium (10.8%) and vitamin E (9.3%). CAM-users did not differ regarding age (68.6 vs. 69.2 years), time interval between diagnosis and current evaluation (4.4 vs. 3.8 years) and PSA at diagnosis (24.9 vs. 18.5 ng/ml) from non-users. CAM-use was dependent on primary therapy (radical prostatectomy: 23.3%, radiotherapy: 31.6%, endocrine therapy: 38.8%) and disease progression. CAM-users were generally less satisfied with their treatment and rated health status and quality of life lower than those not using CAM (all p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CAM is used by almost 1/3 of prostate cancer patients in Austria, particularly by those with disease progression, impaired quality of life and treatment satisfaction. Urologists have to be aware of this fact and require a detailed knowledge on this issue to provide objective and evidence-based information.

Aged↗