Correlation Between Serum Testosterone Levels and Erectile Dysfunction Severity in Pakistani Men Aged 40-65 Years

Area of Science:

• Andrology
• Urology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common global health issue with multifactorial causes, including hormonal imbalances.
• Testosterone deficiency is a recognized contributor to ED, necessitating research into its association with ED severity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between serum total testosterone levels and ED severity in Pakistani men aged 40-65.
• To assess the diagnostic utility of testosterone measurement in evaluating ED in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 110 Pakistani men (aged 40-65) with ED.
• ED severity was quantified using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5).
• Serum total testosterone was measured via chemiluminescent immunoassay; Spearman's rank correlation analyzed the relationship with IIEF-5 scores.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation (Spearman's ρ = 0.615, p < 0.0001) was observed between serum total testosterone and IIEF-5 scores.
• Men with severe ED exhibited significantly lower testosterone levels (278.6 ng/dL) compared to those with mild ED (432.8 ng/dL).
• Testosterone levels decreased progressively with increasing ED severity (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

• Serum total testosterone levels demonstrate a strong, significant positive association with ED severity in Pakistani men.
• These findings support routine hormonal evaluation, specifically testosterone measurement, in the workup of ED, especially in cases of suspected hypogonadism.