Hypothesis / aims of study
Long-haul heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers face unique occupational hazards, including prolonged sedentary behavior, chronic stress, and irregular sleep. We hypothesize that these factors significantly increase the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and that professional seniority and daily driving duration are independent risk factors for lower erectile function scores. The primary objective was to assess ED prevalence and severity using a standardized composite scoring system, identifying socio-professional factors and lifestyle habits associated with impaired function, and evaluating the impact of comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes.
Study design, materials and methods
-Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a major metropolitan area (January–February 2026).
-Participants: Using exhaustive and consecutive sampling, 58 male long-haul drivers were recruited (93.5% response rate). Inclusion required operating long-distance routes and providing written informed consent.
-Assessment: Face-to-face interviews captured demographics, occupational metrics (seniority, driving hours, rest), and lifestyle variables. Erectile health was evaluated using a composite 100-point scale covering five domains: frequency, maintenance, rigidity, and intercourse satisfaction. Scores ranged from "Very Poor" (0–20) to "Very Good" (81–100).
-Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed using R software (v4.3.0). The Shapiro-Wilk test confirmed a non-normal distribution; thus, quantitative variables are reported as medians and interquartile ranges (IQR). Qualitative variables are presented as frequencies (n) and proportions (%). Bivariate analyses were performed to identify correlations between scores and professional factors or comorbidities using non-parametric tests.
-Ethical Considerations: Conducted per the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional review board. Interviews were private to ensure participant comfort; data were fully anonymized.
Results
-Profile: The 30–39 age group was most represented (n=25, 43.1%). Half (n=29, 50%) had >10 years of experience, 44.8% (n=26) drove 10 hours daily, and 70.7% (n=41) had limited daily rest (1–5 hours).
-Health: High rates of alcohol consumption (n=38, 65.5%), smoking (n=29, 50%), and aphrodisiac use (n=26, 44.8%) were found. Comorbidities included hypertension (n=21, 36.2%) and diabetes (n=9, 15.5%).
-Function: While 65.5% reported "good" or "very good" function, vulnerability increased with age (drivers 50, n=11: 27.3% "poor" or "very poor") and workload (shifts >14 hours, n=6: 33.3% "very poor"). Hypertensive drivers exhibited significantly lower scores than normotensive peers.
Interpretation of results
Although the majority maintain satisfactory function, a significant minority (19%) faces moderate to severe impairment. The prevalence of ED in older and hypertensive drivers aligns with the vascular etiology of sexual dysfunction. The synergy between occupational fatigue (shifts >14 hours) and cardiovascular risk is evident. Interestingly, frequent aphrodisiac use (44.8%) may mask underlying pathologies or suggest a reliance on chemical assistance to overcome fatigue. Furthermore, the correlation between sleep deprivation (34.5% sleeping <8 hours) and lower scores highlights the physiological impact of chronic exhaustion on the autonomic nervous system and hormonal balance.