Can High Visceral Adiposity Index Be a Risk Factor for Sexual Dysfunction in Sexually Active Men?

Abstract

Background To our knowledge, there is no study in the literature that has investigated a cutoff value of the visceral adiposity index (VAI) for erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Aim To show a possible relationship between ED and VAI levels representing adipose tissue dysfunction and to identify a cutoff value of the VAI for ED. Methods This prospective cross-sectional study included 276 participants in 5 groups: non-ED, mild ED, mild-moderate ED, moderate ED, and severe ED. The VAI was calculated. Fasting glucose, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, testosterone (T), prolactin, and estradiol were measured. Erectile function, sexual satisfaction, orgasm, desire, and general satisfaction scores were recorded using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction 1–15 questionnaire. The participants were divided into BMI1 (<25.0), BMI2 (25–29.9), and BMI3 (>30.0) categories based on body mass index (BMI) and WC1 (<94 cm), WC2 (94–102 cm), and WC3 (>102 cm) categories based on waist circumference (WC). Outcomes The VAI was investigated as an independent risk factor for ED, compared with BMI and WC. Results The median VAI progressively increased, but a marked increase was recorded in groups 4 and 5 (P = .001). A significant increase in ED was observed for a VAI score higher than 4.33 (P = .001). Each integer increase of the VAI was associated with a 1.3-fold increased risk of ED. The odds ratio of ED for the VAI = 4.33 was 4.4 (P < .001). The WC and BMI significantly increased as the degree of ED increased (P = .001), but statistical analysis showed a significant decrease only in moderate and severe ED groups (P < .05). Starting from non-ED patients, serum triglyceride increased and high-density lipoprotein decreased progressively in all ED groups (P = .001). T/E2 slightly reduced as the severity of ED increased (P > .05). T decreased in ED groups (P = .022). Regardless of the ED level, other sexual subdomains decreased in ED patients (P = .001). The ED rates in 3 increasing BMI and WC categories were similar (P > .05). For VAI = 4.33, BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2, and WC > 102 cm, sensitivity and specificity were 61.2% and 73.8%, 31.6% and 90.5%, and 54.3% and 69.0%, respectively. Clinical Implications The VAI should be considered as a reliable independent risk factor for ED as a predictor of visceral adipose dysfunction. Strengths & Limitations The main strength is that this is the first study to investigate the association between the VAI and sexual dysfunction in men. The low number of participants is the limiting factor. Conclusion The findings suggest that the VAI can be used as a reliable independent risk factor marker for ED as a predictor of visceral adipose dysfunction.

Can a high visceral adiposity index predict female sexual dysfunction in sexually active women? Results of a cross-sectional study.

“…Recent reports showed a significant correlation between visceral adiposity index and male sexual function. 13 Although many disciplines other than andrology carried out numerous studies on VAI, as far as we know, the current study is the first in the English literature investigating the relationship between the FSD and VAI. Studies previously conducted in our clinic showed that each integer increase of VAI in men increased the likelihood of erectile dysfunction by 1.4 times.…”

“…12 The fact that WC mainly measures subcutaneous tissue and BMI cannot predict body fat homogeneously has led to an increase in scientific studies investigating more reliable markers. 13 The visceral adiposity index (VAI) measures visceral adiposity. 14 The VAI was used in many studies as a useful tool.…”

Performance of Two Novel Obesity Indicators for the Management of Metabolic Syndrome in Young Adults

“…VAI can predict the incidence of hypertension in prehypertension or healthy people ( 5 ). The VAI can be used as a reliable independent risk factor marker for Sexual Dysfunction (ED) as a predictor of visceral adipose dysfunction, and the presence of MeTS has emerged as a risk factor for patients with ED with high VAI levels ( 6 , 7 ).…”

Impact of a high visceral adiposity index on female sexual dysfunction in sexually active women? Results of a cross‐sectional study

“…To date, obesity and its impact on various diseases have been studied in many studies using the body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC) 9 . The fact that WC mainly measures subcutaneous tissue and BMI cannot predict body fat homogeneously has led to an increase in scientific studies investigating more reliable markers 10 . The visceral adiposity index (VAI) was used in many studies as a useful tool 11 .…”

“…The visceral adiposity index (VAI) was used in many studies as a useful tool 11 . In a recent study, the VAI was shown as a reliable independent risk factor for the ED as a predictor of visceral adipose dysfunction before the ED manifested or at the beginning of its clinical course 10 …”