“Mask up to keep it up”: Preliminary evidence of the association between erectile dysfunction and COVID‐19

Abstract

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED), as the hallmark of endothelial dysfunction, could be a short-or long-term complication of COVID-19. Additionally, being ED a clinical marker and predictor of non-communicable chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular, subjects with ED could potentially have a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of ED among subjects with a reported diagnosis of COVID-19 and to measure the association of COVID-19 and ED. Materials and methods:We reviewed data from the Sex@COVID online survey (performed between April 7 and May 4, 2020, in Italy) to retrieve a sample of Italian male sexually active subjects with reported SARS-CoV-2 infection. A matching sample of COVID-19-negative male sexually active subjects was also retrieved using propensity score matching in a 3:1 ratio. The survey used different standardized psychometric tools to measure effects of lockdown and social distancing on the intrapsychic, relational, and sexual health of Italian subjects.Results: One hundred subjects were included in the analysis (25 COVID-positive; 75 COVID-negative). The prevalence of ED, measured with the Sexual Health Inventory for Men, was significantly higher in the COVID+ group (28% vs. 9.33%; p = 0.027).Logistic regression models confirmed a significant effect of COVID-19 on the development of ED, independently of other variables affecting erectile function, such as psychological status, age, and BMI [OR 5.66, 95% CI: 1.50-24.01]. Likewise, subjects with ED were more likely to have COVID-19, once corrected for age and BMI [OR 5.27,]. Discussion and conclusion:On top of well-described pathophysiological mechanisms, there is preliminary evidence in a real-life population of ED as a risk factor of developing COVID-19 and possibly occurring as a consequence of COVID-19. Universal vaccination against the COVID-19 and the personal protective equipment could possibly have the added benefit of preventing sexual dysfunctions.

A Mid-to-Long Term Comprehensive Evaluation of Psychological Distress and Erectile Function in COVID-19 Recovered Patients

“…As a matter of fact, it was reported that the prevalence of ED in COVID-19 patients was significantly higher. 52 At 6 months after acute infection with COVID-19, a certain proportion of recovered patients remained diffusion impairment, and patients who were more severely ill during their hospital stay had more severe impaired pulmonary diffusion capacities and abnormal chest imaging manifestation. 43 Therefore, it was likely that the erectile function in COVID-19 patients with a recovery time of 80 days was impaired.…”

Serum nitrite and nitrate: A potential biomarker for post-covid-19 complications?

“…To date, mounting evidence suggests that COVID-19 survivors may encounter long-term health issues [ 64 , 65 ]. Chronic unexplained medical symptoms of so called “long COVID” had been reported in both adults and children [ [66] , [67] , [68] , [69] , [70] ], even among initially mild-infected patients, which included fatigue, headache, insomnia, dizziness, lung damage, erectile dysfunction, as well as other psychiatric and neurological symptoms. In a recent cohort study of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals for 6 months, most survivors were still troubled by a number of symptoms, including fatigue or muscle weakness, sleep difficulties, anxiety or depression [ 15 ].…”

The Burden of Hormonal Disorders: A Worldwide Overview With a Particular Look in Italy

“…In fact, Sansone and colleagues in a study conducted on 100 patients, showed that 25 patients who were infected with SARS-CoV2 had a higher prevalence of ED than the 75 healthy patients who were not infected. Furthermore, regression analysis confirmed that COVID-19 has a significant effect on the development of ED independently of other variables affecting erectile function, such as psychological status, age, and BMI ( 109 ). This association is probably due to the detrimental effect of the disease on endothelial function, whose integrity is, in turn, fundamental for the erective mechanism.…”