The relationship between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D and arteriogenic erectile dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Urology
• Investigating the role of vitamin D in male sexual health and vascular function.

Background:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition with various underlying causes, including vascular impairments.
• Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent and has been implicated in numerous chronic diseases, but its specific role in ED requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and the presence and type of erectile dysfunction (ED).
• To determine if low 25(OH)D is a risk factor for organic ED, specifically arteriogenic ED (A-ED).

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 150 male patients diagnosed with ED using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire were enrolled.
• Patients were assessed for organic versus psychogenic ED via nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) testing.
• Organic ED was further categorized into arteriogenic ED (A-ED) and non-arteriogenic ED (NA-ED) using penile Doppler ultrasound (PDU) to measure peak systolic flow velocity (PSV).

Main Results:

• Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in patients with organic ED (18.24 ± 6.04 ng/ml) compared to psychogenic ED (20.90 ± 8.79 ng/ml).
• Patients with A-ED exhibited markedly lower 25(OH)D levels (15.66 ± 5.86 ng/ml) and PSV values (18.94 ± 5.28 cm/s) than those with NA-ED (20.48 ± 5.90 ng/ml and 51.57 ± 15.42 cm/s, respectively).
• 25(OH)D levels positively correlated with IIEF-5 scores and PSV in A-ED patients, with a cut-off value of 15.05 ng/ml differentiating A-ED from NA-ED.

Conclusions:

• Low serum 25(OH)D levels are significantly associated with organic ED, particularly A-ED.
• Vitamin D deficiency may serve as an independent risk factor for A-ED.
• Routine measurement of serum 25(OH)D levels and subsequent vitamin D replacement therapy are recommended for ED patients with low levels.