Objective: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a disease that increases with age and is closely associated with depression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on quality of life and depression of ED in elderly individuals.

Material and Method: One hundred forty-two patients aged 60 years and older with no known previous diagnosis of depression, with normal cogni-tive functions, with primary complaints of ED, and no previous receipt of treatment were prospectively investigated between May 2019 and May 2020. Degree of ED was determined using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) form. Data were examined using the SF-36 quality of life scale and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: The mean age of the patients was 67.46±4.55 years, and their mean IIEF-5 score was 10.85±5.08. Mean SF-36 scores were 73.90±28.49 for physical functioning, 43.30±42.82 for role limitations due to physical health problems, 34.74±40.06 for role limitations due to personal or emotional problems, 44.75±23.28 for energy/fatigue, 54.98±13.43 for emotional well-being, 43.83±30.75 for social functioning, 90.12±18.28 for body pain, and 37.14±23.34 for general health perceptions. IIEF scores decreased as BDI scores increased. Negative correlation was also observed between mean SF-36 quality of life domains and BDI scores. A similar relationship was present between mean IIEF score and mean depression scale score. Very high negative correlation was present between mean IIEF score and energy/fatigue, social functioning, and general health perceptions, and weak negative correlation with body pain (p <0.001).

Conclusion: ED and depression are closely related, depression is shown with the severity of ED, and quality of life is adversely affected.