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04:22
Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility
Published on: May 30, 2025
Psychological features in men with erectile dysfunction with or without preclinical atherosclerosis
R Mihalca1, M Bocchio, F Pelliccione
1Department of Internal Medicine, Centre of Andrology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
International Journal of Impotence Research
|August 4, 2007
Summary
Psychological distress and obsessive-compulsive features are linked to erectile dysfunction (ED) and preclinical atherosclerosis. Addressing mental stress in ED patients may reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) and preclinical atherosclerosis share common risk factors.
- Psychological distress is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of psychological distress in men with ED.
- To explore the association between psychological distress, obsessive-compulsive (OC) features, and preclinical atherosclerosis in men with ED.
Main Methods:
- 247 men with ED were assessed using the Symptom Check-List-90R for psychological distress.
- Preclinical atherosclerosis was evaluated by measuring intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid arteries (CC) via ultrasound.
Main Results:
- Psychological distress was reported in 31% of men with ED, higher in those with vascular damage.
- Elevated CC-IMT was significantly associated with higher levels of OC features (P=0.0069; OR 3.18).
- Severe ED and elevated CC-IMT were independently associated with increased OC features (OR 3.36 and OR 2.60, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Obsessive-compulsive features may mediate the link between ED and vascular disease through mental stress.
- Psychological distress in ED patients indicates a risk for cardiovascular disease.
- Vigorous treatment of ED in these patients is crucial for reducing vascular event risk.
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