Objective: To investigate the relationship between ED and CVD.
Methods: A total of 103 male patients aged 40–70 years old (mean age 58.3 years) with ED in Southern China were recruited. ED was assessed by International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) score. The presences of risk factors for CVD were evaluated by lifestyle questionnaires in those men.
Results: CVD increased according to severity of ED, adjusted for age, smoking, total cholesterol level, hypertension, and body mass index (P<0.01, by analysis of covariance). Of those patients with CVD in coronary heart disease, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, IIEF-5 scores were reported by 10.9±4.1, 15.2±3.9, and 18.3±3.6, respectively. Low IIEF score (<12) showed a significant increased risk of CVD compared with mild ED (P<0.001). The prevalences of CVD in mild, moderate and severe ED were reported by 5.3% (3/57), 26.5% (9/34), and 41.7% (5/12), respectively. Risk factors for CVD are significantly associated with ED (P<0.01).
Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that men with ED, especially those patients presenting with moderate-to-severe ED should be identify men at higher risk for CVD events. These findings suggest that ED usually precedes CVD onset, and it might be considered an early marker of symptomatic CVD.
