A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the relationship between erectile dysfunction and the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratios

Abstract

Several studies were conducted to explore the association between haematological parameters and erectile dysfunction (ED), but the conclusions were contradictory with small sample size. The extensively search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of science from inception to August 2021. Studies comparing the haematological parameter (at least NLR, PLR) between ED patients and healthy controls were eligible for the present meta-analysis. The differences in NLR and PLR between ED patients and healthy controls were assessed by calculating the standardised mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Eventually, 7 studies were remained for our meta-analysis, with a total of 929 ED patients and 737 healthy controls. For the methodological quality based on NOS, 5 studies were of high quality, scored 7, and 8. 2 studies were of moderate quality, scored 6. There were statistically significant differences in NLR values between ED patients and healthy controls, based on the pooled results (SMD: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.24-0.82). Pooled results from the 6 studies revealed that ED patients had higher PLR values than healthy controls (SMD: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.12-1.28). Our meta-analysis solidly confirmed the association between NLR, PLR and ED. Increased NLR and PLR should be independent risk factors for ED.

Association between inflammatory indexes and erectile dysfunction in U.S. adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2004

“…A meta-analysis demonstrated that ED patients displayed a higher NLR, which is consistent with our findings. 21 In addition, tadalafil reduces systemic inflammation as evidenced by a reduction in inflammatory biomarkers such as NLR and PLR. 22 …”

Significance of detailed hematological parameters as markers of arteriogenic erectile dysfunction

“…A possible reason for this has been suggested: PLR and NLR are underlying markers of inflammation in vascular disease, 48 and inflammation plays a key role in the inception and progression of atherosclerosis and vascular endothelial dysfunction 49 . In the last three years, some scholars have started studying the relationship between NLR, PLR, and ED, and initially concluded that there is a link between them 50–52 . However, there was a study that did not find a statistically significant relationship between NLR and ED 53 .…”

“…49 In the last three years, some scholars have started studying the relationship between NLR, PLR, and ED, and initially concluded that there is a link between them. [50][51][52] However, there was a study that did not find a statistically significant relationship between NLR and ED. 53 So far, there are no scholars who have studied the association between NLR, PLR, and AED.…”

Association between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and erectile dysfunction among US males: a population-based cross-sectional study

“…However, only a limited number of studies have investigated the relationship between NLR and ED in the population, and most of them are from Asia, with inconsistent results. A relevant meta-analysis revealed that the NLR was higher in ED patients than in the healthy subjects, but only seven studies were included, and there was significant heterogeneity (10). Additional research is needed due to the slightly smaller sample size of previous studies and the limited adjustment for confounding variables.…”