Erectile Dysfunction, Testosterone Levels and Disease Activity in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Andrology
• Sexual Health

Background:

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common concern, and its potential link with systemic inflammatory conditions like AS warrants investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate erectile function in male patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis.
• To correlate erectile function with the hormonal profile and disease activity in AS patients.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 35 AS patients and 104 controls were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF).
• Hormonal profiles including total testosterone, free testosterone (FT), bioavailable testosterone (BT), SHBG, albumin, and LH were measured.
• AS disease activity was quantified using Bath AS Disease Activity Index, ASDAS-ESR, and ASDAS-CRP.

Main Results:

• AS patients reported significantly worse IIEF scores compared to controls (P = .02).
• Total testosterone and SHBG levels were elevated in AS patients (P = .01 and P <.0001, respectively), with no significant differences in LH, FT, or BT.
• Worse erectile function in AS patients was negatively associated with disease activity indices (Bath AS Disease Activity Index: P = .001; ASDAS-CRP: P = .02), but not with any measured hormone levels.

Conclusions:

• Male patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis exhibit poorer sexual performance compared to controls.
• Erectile dysfunction in AS is associated with disease activity, independent of the male sexual hormonal profile.