[The UrEpik study: a descriptive epidemiological approach to lower urinary tract symptoms, sexual disorders and urinary continence in four countries].

: UrEpik is a cross-sectional, epidemiological study undertaken in four cities (Auxerre, Birmingham, Nijmegen and Seoul) to determine the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction in men aged from 40 to 80 years and their female partners, if applicable. Numerous evaluation questionnaires were collected by post, telephone or direct contact from 4876 men and 3657 women. The prevalence of lower urinary tract disorders was significantly different from one country to another, but increased constantly with age in particular in men with an I-PSS between 8 and 19 for whom it increased by approximately 10% per decade. Incontinence in men seems to be an important problem both in terms of discomfort score and wearing of protection and it increases with age. Analysis of erectile dysfunction (ED) gave different results depending on the method of investigation used. The SFI (sexual functional index) showed a positive correlation between ED and age, which was not found by direct questioning. The psychological impact of ED varied according to culture and age of the subject.