OBJECTIVEThe aims of Asian Men's Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (Asian MALES)-China study were to identify the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and related health concerns in the general male population in China, and to examine the attitudes and behaviors of men in relation to these health issues.

METHODSA total of 2055 men aged 20-75 years were included in Phase-I MALES study using a standardized questionnaire, and another 225 recruited from the sub-sample of Phase-I MALES participants with reported ED and some ED patients from other sources were involved in Phase-II Asian MALES- China study, with the prevalence of ED and men's associated attitudes as the main measure.

RESULTSThe overall rate of ED in the Asian MALES-China sample was 5.9%. The rate of self-reported ED rose with age increase. A higher rate of ED was reported in men with co-morbid medical conditions and risk factors, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and depression, and so were the rates of these co-morbid conditions in ED patients. Data from Phase-II Asian MALES-China indicated that among men with reported ED, only 17% would seek treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe rate of ED is high in Chinese men and it is associated with co-morbid conditions. For Chinese men, it is necessary to know more about ED and to seek safe and effective treatment of its symptoms.