Erectile dysfunction, physical activity and metabolic syndrome: differences in markers of atherosclerosis

Abstract

BackgroundErectile dysfunction (ED), impaired arterial elasticity, elevated resting heart rate as well as increased levels of oxidized LDL and fibrinogen associate with future cardiovascular events. Physical activity is crucial in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), while metabolic syndrome (MetS) comprises an increased risk for CVD events. The aim of this study was to assess whether markers of subclinical atherosclerosis are associated with the presence of ED and MetS, and whether physical activity is protective of ED.Methods57 MetS (51.3 ± 8.0 years) and 48 physically active (PhA) (51.1 ± 8.1 years) subjects participated in the study. ED was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, arterial elasticity by a radial artery tonometer (HDI/PulseWave™ CR-2000) and circulating oxLDL by a capture ELISA immunoassay. Fibrinogen and lipids were assessed by validated methods. The calculation of mean daily energy expenditure of physical exercise was based on a structured questionnaire.ResultsED was more often present among MetS compared to PhA subjects, 63.2% and 27.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). Regular physical exercise at the level of > 400 kcal/day was protective of ED (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.017-0.778, p = 0.027), whereas increased fibrinogen (OR 4.67, 95% CI 1.171-18.627, p = 0.029) and elevated resting heart rate (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.003-1.138, p = 0.04) were independently associated with the presence of ED. In addition, large arterial elasticity (ml/mmHgx10) was lower among MetS compared to PhA subjects (16.6 ± 4.0 vs. 19.6 ± 4.2, p < 0.001), as well as among ED compared to non-ED subjects (16.7 ± 4.6 vs. 19.0 ± 3.9, p = 0.008). Fibrinogen and resting heart rate were highest and large arterial elasticity lowest among subjects with both MetS and ED.ConclusionsMarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis associated with the presence of ED and were most evident among subjects with both MetS and ED. Thus, especially MetS patients presenting with ED should be considered at high risk for CVD events. Physical activity, on its part, seems to be protective of ED.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01119404

The Relationship Between Metabolic Syndrome, Its Components, and Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

“…Six studies [16,18–22] reported about the association between HDL level and ED and only one study reached significant association [16]. Pooled analysis of these six studies showed that no association was found between HDL level and ED (OR 1.27[0.77–2.09] P = 0.33; P value for heterogeneity P < 0.0001; I 2 = 86.696%, Q = 37.582; Figure ).…”

“…The eight selected studies [16–23] contained 12,067 participants (ranging from 105 to 3,921). They were published between 2006 and 2013.…”

Disfunção erétil associada à prática de atividade física e qualidade de vida de idosos

“…Segundo Pohjantahti-Maaroos, Palomaki e Hartikainen 29 , indivíduos que praticam AF regular (>400 kcal/dia) têm menor chance de apresentar DE, sendo que esse efeito positivo nos fatores de risco seria eficiente tanto para reverter como atenuar a DE 4 . Embora a amostra do estudo tenha apresentado nível suficiente de Atividade física, eles apresentaram maiores índices de sobrepeso, diabetes e hipertensão que são fatores associados à DE.…”

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea as a therapeutic modality for associated erectile dysfunction

“…The severity of OSA was determined by monitoring the peripheral blood oxygenation (desaturation episodes), which is measured by the number of drops of SaO 2 3 to < 90%, < 85%, and < 80%. 4 The scores assigned for OSA throughout the sleep period are as follows (22): (i) severe OSA (score = 3), when the SaO 2 drops to < 90%, < 85%, and < 80% for more than three times for each saturation (ii) moderate OSA (score = 2), if the drop of SaO 2 to < 90% and < 85% was recorded for more than three times for each saturation, but the drop to < 80% was recorded once or twice throughout sleep period, or (iii) mild OSA (score = 1) if the drop of SaO 2 to < 90% was recorded for more than three times, but the drop to < 85% was recorded once or twice, and no drop to 80% was recorded throughout sleep period. Lowest percentage of SaO 2 , achieved throughout the sleep, hours were also determined.…”