RESUMEN

Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF) is a protective or predisposing factor for many diseases; however, the relationship between CHHF and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate associations between CHHF and ED among young men of Southeast Asian origin. In this cross-sectional study, sexually active Taiwanese men aged 20-40 years were enrolled via an online questionnaire comprising general demographic information, comorbidities, subjective thermal sensations of their hands and feet in the past 6 months, and their erectile function using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). Participants who reported cold sensation of hands and feet were classified to have CHHF; those with IIEF-5 score ≤ 21 were considered to have ED. Total 54.2% and 27.9% of participants had ED and CHHF, respectively. Men with CHHF were significantly younger, had lower body mass index and IIEF-5 scores (p < 0.001), and a lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.033) along with higher prevalence of ED, psychiatric disorders, and insomnia (p < 0.001). After adjusting for predisposing factors of ED, CHHF (odds ratio 1.410, 95% confidence interval 1.159-1.714; p = 0.001) remained an independent predictor of ED. Thus, CHHF is independently associated with ED, affecting more than a quarter of young Taiwanese men. Autonomic dysregulation and subclinical endothelial dysfunction may be common pathophysiologies of CHHF and ED.

Asunto(s)

Disfunción Eréctil , Pie , Mano , Humanos , Masculino , Disfunción Eréctil/epidemiología , Disfunción Eréctil/etiología , Taiwán/epidemiología , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Adulto Joven , Mano/fisiopatología , Pie/fisiopatología , Síndromes Periódicos Asociados a Criopirina/epidemiología , Síndromes Periódicos Asociados a Criopirina/complicaciones , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Prevalencia , Frío/efectos adversos , Factores de Riesgo

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: This study explores optimistic bias and information seeking in prostate cancer patients and how they impact intention to undergo prostate cancer screening. METHODS: A national sample of 427 Taiwanese male adults aged at least 45 years (mean (M) = 57) were recruited to complete a telephone-based survey questionnaire between April 30 and May 8, 2008. RESULTS: The questionnaire results showed that respondents considered themselves less likely than others to get prostate cancer. The relationship between optimistic bias and intention to undergo prostate cancer screening was non-significant, while information seeking positively and significantly predicted such an intention. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study imply that health educators should include risk-awareness strategies and information seeking interventions in the design of cancer prevention programs.