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Updated: May 3, 2026

Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
Published on: October 15, 2010
Can the mean platelet volume be a risk factor for vasculogenic erectile dysfunction?
Halil Ciftci1, Ercan Yeni1, Mehmet Demir1
1Department of Urology, Harran University Faculty of Medicine, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
Purpose:
The mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker of the platelet activity and is reported to increase in vascular diseases. We aimed to investigate the association between MPV and vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED).
Materials And Methods:
MPV and platelet (PLT) levels were measured in 50 cases of ED and 40 healthy controls. The diagnosis of vasculogenic ED was based on a detailed sexual history, physical examination, laboratory assessment, and color Doppler ultrasonography. The results are given as mean±standard deviation of the mean.
Results:
The mean ages of the patient and the control groups were 53.70±12.39 years (range 24~77 years) and 53.85±9.5 years (range 30~73 years), respectively (p=0.947). The MPV and PLT values were significantly higher in the patients with ED than those of the controls (7.49±1.4), (6.85±1.2), (262.97±68), (252.89±82) respectively, p<0.001). However, the MPV values were not statistically significantly different in the patients with severe ED according to the International Index of Erectile Function than in those with mild ED, p>0.05), and there was no correlation between MPV and either age of patients (p=0.905) or duration of ED (p=0.583).
Conclusions:
The platelet count and MPV was detected to be increased in patients with vasculogenic ED. This finding suggests a role for platelets in the pathogenesis of vascular complications and that the MPV would be useful in monitoring disease progression.
Insights
Increased mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count are linked to vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). This suggests platelets play a role in vascular complications and MPV may help monitor disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Hematology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a recognized indicator of platelet activity.
- Elevated MPV levels are frequently observed in various vascular diseases.
- Platelet activation is implicated in the pathophysiology of vascular complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between mean platelet volume (MPV) and vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED).
- To determine if MPV can serve as a biomarker for vasculogenic ED.
Main Methods:
- MPV and platelet (PLT) levels were measured in 50 patients diagnosed with ED and 40 healthy controls.
- Vasculogenic ED diagnosis was confirmed through comprehensive clinical assessments, including history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and color Doppler ultrasonography.
- Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation of the mean.
Main Results:
- Patients with ED exhibited significantly higher MPV and PLT values compared to the control group (p<0.001).
- No statistically significant difference in MPV was observed between patients with severe ED and those with mild ED (p>0.05).
- No correlation was found between MPV and patient age (p=0.905) or ED duration (p=0.583).
Conclusions:
- Platelet count and MPV are elevated in individuals with vasculogenic ED.
- These findings indicate a potential role for platelets in the development of vascular complications associated with ED.
- MPV may prove valuable as a monitoring tool for disease progression in vasculogenic ED.
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