Could the monocyte/HDL cholesterol ratio be an early marker of erectile dysfunction?

Research evaluating the relationship between the Monocyte/HDL-C ratio (MHR) and ED is limited in number. We aimed for determining whether MHR could be an early marker of ED in our study.

Eighty-nine patients diagnosed with ED during the period of April 2018-November 2018 and 100 patients that did not have any systemic diseases and erectile dysfunction were included in our study. The presence of ED was evaluated with International Erectile Function Index (IIEF-5). Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patients for complete blood count and biochemical analyses. The relationship between ED and MHR was evaluated for both groups.

Body mass indices (BMI) of the ED group and the control group were significantly different in statistical terms. While a significant difference was observed for fasting blood glucose, total testosterone, luteinizing hormone values between the ED group and the control group, and follicle stimulant hormone values were found to be similar with each other. MHR values of two groups were found to be significantly different.

MHR can be used as a marker for the determination of ED's severity and for its monitoring. We also believe that a large series of clinical and research studies are required for it to be applicable in clinical practice. Being the first prospective study in literature, we believe that our study would provide important contributions to the literature.