Erectile dysfunction, hormone levels, inflammation in male patients with metabolic syndrome

Background and Objective The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity in male Taiwanese is very high, but the impacts on MetS, sexuality and sex hormones, inflammation markers in male erectile dysfunction (ED) are not entirely clear in relevance. This study's aim is to investigate males with MetS and its components, sex hormones, inflammatory risk factors, sexuality and ED correlation. Material and Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 89 male participants, and data collected included demographic data, biochemistry, sex hormones, inflammatory risk factors and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, difference analysis, and logistic regression model were used to identify relevant variables that may affect ED. Result Among our 89 subjects, 46 had MetS (51.7%) and 31 subjects with MetS had ED (67.4%). The presence of MetS had a significant correlation with lower IIEF-ED scores, lower intercourse satisfaction scores, lower total testosterone (TT) serum level (p < 0.01) and also presence of MetS had a significant correlation with higher D-dimer, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) serum level. The results also showed that the greater the number of MetS components had the higher the prevalence of ED and the higher the abnormal CRP, fibrinogen and D-dimer (p < 0.05). After adjusting for age, we used sexual desire dysfunction, Met S and TT abnormal to run the logistic regression model for predictors of ED, and the analysis showed that there was a significant difference for sexual desire dysfunction (OR = 8.845, 95% CI=2.203 - 35.516, P = 0.002), Met S (OR = 4.100, 95% CI = 1.343 - 12.520, P = 0.013) and TT abnormal (OR = 3.287, 95% CI = 1.022 - 10.570, P = 0.046). Conclusion To prevent the development of ED, we should encourage a change in lifestyle to prevent the development of MetS, and early identification and treatment of MetS risk factors might be helpful to prevent ED and secondary cardiovascular disease, including diet and lifestyle interventions.