Surveillance of cardiovascular risk factors for outpatients in different erectile dysfunction severity

Abstract

We determined the association between the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED) and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including metabolic syndrome (MS). A total of 141 ED patients were divided into three groups on the basis of ED severity, which was determined using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores. The prevalence of MS among the ED patients was 32.6%. Significantly lower IIEF scores were noted in patients with MS than in patients without MS (7.6±6.4 vs 11.6±7.4, P ¼ 0.003). As assessed by the anthropometric indices of body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, obesity was detected in 58.9, 54.6 and 32.6% of the patients, respectively. Of the 141 patients, 39 had mild, 24 had moderate and 78 had severe ED. Statistically significant differences were noted among the different ED severity groups with regard to the presence of hypertension, systolic blood pressure, presence of MS and number of MS components. Multivariate analysis showed that the odds ratio for high-low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level in moderate and severe ED, determined with reference to mild ED, were 9.346 and 6.452, respectively. The presence of MS, number of MS components, and certain traditional cardiovascular risk factors, particularly high-LDL cholesterol level and hypertension, may influence the severity of ED.

Prevalence and cardiovascular disease risk differences for erectile dysfunction patients by three metabolic syndrome definitions

“…7,8 In addition, previous studies have shown a connection among ED, MS and CVD, and the putative mechanism and pathophysiology are thought to be related to endothelial dysfunction. 10,[19][20][21][22] Several reports have shown that the presence and severity of ED are associated with inflammatory markers and endothelial dysfunction. 23,24 Similar pathogenic involvement of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway leading to the impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in the early phase, and obstructive vascular changes in the late phase, is shared by ED and other vascular diseases.…”

“…Our previous study showed that the presence of MS, the number of MS components and certain traditional cardiovascular risk factors, especially high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level and hypertension, may influence the ED severity. 10 Therefore, accumulating evidence demonstrates that a strong association exists between MS and ED, although this needs to be confirmed through further larger epidemiological studies.…”

Atorvastatin improves the response to sildenafil in hypercholesterolemic men with erectile dysfunction not initially responsive to sildenafil

“…19 Also, high LDL-cholesterol level may influence the severity of ED. 20 Indeed, atherosclerotic biomarkers for endothelial function, thrombosis and dyslipidemia are associated with the degree of ED. 21 In a longitudinal population-based study, after adjustment for the classical risk factors, severely decreased erectile rigidity has a hazard ratio of 2.6 and decreased erectile rigidity a hazard ratio of 1.6 for cardiovascular disease.…”

Should an inquiry about sexual health, as a reflection of vascular health, be part of routine physicals for young men? Results from an outpatient study

“…1,3 ED is a harbinger of cardiovascular clinical events in some men, and should prompt an investigation and intervention into cardiovascular risk factors. 4,5 ED is associated with peripheral endothelial dysfunction. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the prevalence and relationship between ED and early coronary atherosclerosis.…”