The impact of metabolic syndrome on serum total testosterone level in patients with erectile dysfunction

To determine the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and serum testosterone levels (TT) in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).

This study included 280 ED patients above 40-years-of-age. Participants were divided into two groups according to 2005 criteria of International Diabetes Federation. The severity of ED was determined according to the International Index of Erectile Function-EF (IIEF-EF score; 0-10 severe ED, 11-25 mild to moderate ED). The severity of ED, serum TT levels and other MetS components were compared between the groups.

The mean age of the patients was 55.7 ± 8.2 years. One hundred eighteen patients (%42.1) had MetS. Sixty-eight patients with MetS (57.6%) and 71 patients without MetS (43.8%) had severe ED (p = 0.031). A total of 46 (16.4%) patients had hypogonadism. Hypogonadism was seen more prevalent in patients with MetS (22.9% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.013). Logistic regression analyses for ED risk factors demonstrated that abnormal FBG increased the relative risk of severe ED up to 10.7-fold (p < 0.001) but not presence of hypogonadism (p = 0.706).

Metabolic syndrome was seen in almost half of the patients with ED. ED was more severe among MetS patients. Hypogonadism alone is a not risk factor for severe ED.