OBJECTIVES: To help physicians identify patients most likely to have erectile dysfunction (ED), we studied the relationship between ED and health-related correlates among adult male patients using the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), a validated 5-item questionnaire assessing the presence and severity of ED. The correlates included age, smoker/nonsmoker status, and medical conditions: diabetes, depression, hypertension, any prostate disease, and high cholesterol. METHODS: A convenience sample of patients (N = 31,054) from more than 600 primary care and specialty physician offices in the US completed the SHIM. ; ED corresponds to a SHIM score < 21. Physicians or staff recorded medical variables. The risk assessment model for ED was created using multiple logistic regression analysis in a 50% random sample (n=15,491) and validated in the remaining sample (n=15,563). RESULTS: 61.2% of patients (mean age = 53, range 18 to 101 years) had a SHIM score compatible with ED (mean score 18.5 ± 5.68, range from 5 to 25). Probability of a SHIM score < 21 increased with age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.07/year). Diabetes was the variable most strongly correlated with a SHIM score compatible with ED (OR = 3.50), followed by depression (OR = 2.43), prostate disease (OR = 2.08), hypertension (OR = 1.64), smoking (OR =1 .57), and high cholesterol level (OR = 1.52). All ORs were significant (P < .05). The risk assessment model (cutoff P > .5) had good sensitivity (82.2%) and moderate specificity (59.2%). These statistics were repeatable and verified in the remaining half sample during model validation. Age thresholds were calculated to determine the patient age beyond which medical conditions increased the likelihood of ED: diabetes = 34 years old; depression = 40; prostate disease = 42; hypertension = 45; smoking = 46; high cholesterol = 46; no medical condition = 52. CONCLUSIONS: Our risk-assessment model was strongly correlated with a SHIM score compatible with ED. It provides a simple means of identifying patients likely to have ED. This information can assist clinicians in questioning patients and in making appropriate treatment decisions based in risk factors.