Cardiorenal Determinants of Erectile Dysfunction in Primary Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED), cardiovascular risk, and target organ damage (heart, renal, vascular) in men free of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).Subjects and Methods: ED was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). The studyincluded 182 men: 100 with ED (IIEF mean score ≤21) and 82 without ED (IIEF mean score>21). Ultrasound was used to evaluate carotid plaques and left ventricular mass, geometry, and diastolic function. Cardiovascular anamnesis, CVD risk factors, and anthropometric and biochemical parameters were obtained. The European Society of Cardiology-Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation Score (ESC-SCORE) was used to calculate total patient cardiovascular risk. Continuous variables between groups were compared using the Studentttest and Mann-Whitney U test, while categorical data were compared using the #x03C7;2 test. Multiple linear regression was used to test the association between the severity of ED and presence of target organ damage.Results: The following parameterswere significantly higher in the ED group compared to the controls: family history of coronary heart disease (43.7 vs. 26.7%,p = 0.047), ESC-SCORE (2.27 ± 1.79 vs. 1.61 ± 1.13,p = 0.012), and waist circumference (109.28 ± 10.82 vs. 106.17 ± 10.07,p = 0.047). Impaired renal function (p = 0.081), albuminuria (p = 0.545), vascular damage (p = 0.602), and diastolic function (p = 0.724)...
Source: Medical Principles and Practice - Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: research