@article {Pizzolbjgp20X714197, author = {Damiano Pizzol and Tao Xiao and Smith Lee and Guillermo Felipe L{\'o}pez S{\'a}nchez and Andrea Garolla and Christopher Parris and Yvonne Barnett and Petre Cristian Ilie and Pinar Soysal and Jae Il Shin and Mark A Tully and Lin Yang and Nicola Veronese and Igor Grabovac}, title = {Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction in Male Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional Studies}, elocation-id = {bjgp20X714197}, year = {2020}, doi = {10.3399/bjgp20X714197}, publisher = {Royal College of General Practitioners}, abstract = {Abstract Background: Sexual function is a fundamental aspect of health, well being and quality of life. In oncological male patients sexuality and erectile dysfunction (ED) can be compromise by psychological, pharmacological or physical components. Aim: We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of ED in all types of cancer and identify characteristics associated with ED in cancer survivors. Design and Setting: Systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies. Method: Random effects models were used to pool the prevalence of ED as absolute estimates at three different stages (i.e., healthy, at diagnosis, and after treatment stages). A univariate meta-analysis (MA) regression including the three-level group variable as the only independent variable was used to assess the difference of prevalence of ED across the three groups. Further MA were conducted for studies involving patients at diagnosis and after treatment. Graphical comparisons of the prevalence of ED across these two stages of cancer treatment were given by a classic forest plot. Results: We included 43 studies with a total of 19,329 participants. Overall the pooled data of the included studies showed an ED prevalence of 40.72\% (95\%CI: 31.80-50.29) in cancer patients, with prevalence of 28.60\% (95\%CI: 12.10\%-53.83\%) at time of diagnosis and 42.70\% (95\%CI: 32.97\%-53.03\%) after treatment, across cancer locations. Conclusion: ED is particularly high in oncologic patients and may be influenced by neurovascular damage associated with treatment, hormonal therapy systemic chemo- or radiation therapy, as well as by psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem or issues with body image.}, issn = {0960-1643}, URL = {https://bjgp.org/content/early/2020/12/09/bjgp20X714197}, eprint = {https://bjgp.org/content/early/2020/12/09/bjgp20X714197.full.pdf}, journal = {British Journal of General Practice} }