Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Could Be a Marker for Erectile Dysfunction

The literature reveals lots of information about the relationship between inflammatory markers and many diseases. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between erectile dysfunction and the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which is a simple and nonspecific inflammatory marker.

Ninety patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and ninety-four healthy subjects were included in this study from our internal medicine and urology clinics. As diagnosis criteria, we used the first 5 questions of International Index for Erectile Function. The duration of erectile dysfunction was asked and recorded. Height, weight and waist circumference of patients were measured. We performed total blood count, sedimentation, C-reactive protein, and blood chemistry.

There were statistically significant differences between the control [1,038 (0,507-1,92)] and ED [59,5 (52,0-68,0)] groups in terms of NLR (P < .001). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, Duration of ED (Cut off: 7,5 month) predicted ED with 78,8% sensitivity and 63,1% specificity (AUC: < ,001, 95% CI 1,030 (1,010-1,050), P = .003). Moreover, NLR (Cut off: 1,574) predicted ED with 81,8% sensitivity and 67,0% specificity (AUC: < 0,001, 95% CI 1,994 (1,139-3,490), P = .016) according to the multivariate logistic regression analysis.

It was found that the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was higher in patient group than the control group. Also, the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) predicted ED and it might be helpful in diagnosing erectile dysfunction.