Association between defecation frequency and erectile dysfunction in patients with ulcerative colitis: A cross-sectional study

Abstract The association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and erectile dysfunction (ED) was reported. However, no evidence regarding the association between gastrointestinal symptoms and ED in UC exists, some studies showed the association between gastrointestinal symptoms and ED. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between defecation frequency and ED in 164 patients with UC. The definition of ED was the Sexual Health Inventory for Men score < 12. The defecation frequency was divided into three categories: 1) high (at least two times/day), 2) moderate f (once a day, reference), and low (less than one time/day). The definition of constipation was based on the Rome I criteria and/or medication for constipation. The prevalence of ED and constipation was 54.9%, and 10.4%, respectively. The rate of high, moderate, and low defecation frequency was 18.9%, 25.0%, and 56.1%, respectively. High and low frequency defecation was independently and positively associated with ED (High: adjusted OR 4.15, 95% CI 1.36–13.46, and low: adjusted OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.18–6.77). P for quadratic trend, p = 0.007). No association between constipation and ED was found. In Conclusion, in Japanese patients with UC, the U-shaped association between defecation frequency and ED was found.