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

Abstract

Introduction The studies examining the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS), its components, and erectile dysfunction (ED) should be reevaluated to arrive at comprehensive results in this field. Aim Our aim was to gather individual studies in order to achieve a more reliable conclusion regarding the relationship between MetS, its components, and ED. Methods Three investigators searched the Pubmed-Medline and Embase databases using the key words “metabolic syndrome” and “erectile dysfunction.” The individual studies were evaluated for selection of suitable studies. Main Outcome Measures Eight studies that met all inclusion criteria were chosen, and a pooled analysis of odds ratio (ORs) between MetS and ED was calculated. The components of MetS to ED were also estimated. Results Eight observational studies with a total of 12,067 participants were examined. The overall analysis revealed a 2.6-fold increase in patients with MetS having ED (2.67[1.79–3.96]; P < 0.0001). All individual components of MetS except high-density lipoprotein level were also found to correlate with an increased prevalence of ED. Of those, fasting blood sugar was detected highest rate for ED with OR of 2.07 ([1.49–2.87]; P < 0.0001). Conclusions Metabolic syndrome is associated with a high risk rate of ED, and patients with MetS should be informed about this association and encouraged to make lifestyle modifications to improve their general health and to limit cardiovascular risk as well as ED prevalence. However, manuscripts included in meta-analysis were observational studies that prohibits ascertainment of temporal associations and necessitates further prospective studies.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2017 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

“…In addition to CVD, metabolic syndrome has been associated with incident AF, 91 recurrent AF after ablation, 92 HF, 93 PAD, 94 erectile dysfunction, 95 and cognitive decline. 96 Data from case-control studies, but not prospective studies, support an association with VTE.…”

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is Associated with Erectile Dysfunction: A Prospective Pilot Study

“…7 On the other hand, NAFLD is the most frequent liver disease in developed countries, affecting up to 20% to 30% of the general population. 1 Although NAFLD and ED seem to be quite common, the diagnostic frequency of overlap of both conditions is not known.…”

“…1 A recent meta-analysis examining the association between MetS and erectile dysfunction (ED) revealed a 2.6-fold increase in overall risk of ED in patients with MetS. 1 Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is accepted as the hepatic manifestation of MetS.…”

“…1 Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is accepted as the hepatic manifestation of MetS. 1 However, clinical studies investigating the link between NAFLD and ED are scant.…”

Impotence literature: Scientometric analysis of erectile dysfunction articles between 1975 and 2018

“…In the common population, the incidence of ED in men aged 40–80 years ranges from 30% to 65% (Eryilmaz, Kaplan, Aslan, Demir, & Taken, ). ED is often related with varied risk factors such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, sedentary life and smoking (Besiroglu, Otunctemur, & Ozbek, ). ED should be regarded as a possible caution sign of cardiovascular disease (Gupta et al, ).…”