Coronary artery risk factors in patients with erectile dysfunction

We evaluated the risk factors of coronary artery disease in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).

A total of 417 male patients with ED were enrolled in this study. Patients were interviewed for ED using the International Index of Erectile Function. All patients were also screened for sociodemographic data and risk factors for ischemic heart disease (IHD), including age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and psychological disorders. Patients underwent routine laboratory investigation plus testosterone and prolactin assessment. All patients were referred to a cardiologist for IHD evaluation.

Mean age +/- SD was 59.1 +/- 10.3 years. Of the patients 27.3% were younger than 50 years, 37.2% were current or former smokers, and 27.6% had mild, 30% had moderate and 42.4% had severe ED. Of the patients 26.9% had different degrees of IHD, of whom 84.8% were older than 50 years. There was a significant association between age and IHD (p <0.05). There were significant associations between IHD, and the increased severity and progressive course of ED (each p <0.05). Furthermore, higher degrees of IHD were significantly associated with severe ED. Diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and psychological disorders were present in 75.1%, 39.3%, 45.6% and 8.2% of the patients, respectively. Overall 92.1% of the patients with ED had 1 or more coronary artery risk factors. The presence of at least 1 risk factor is significantly associated with ED in patients with IHD (p <0.05).

Coronary artery risk factors are significantly associated with erectile dysfunction. A significant association between higher degrees of IHD and the increased severity of ED was detected.