Relationship between Erectile Dysfunction and Metabolic Syndrome in Patients at a University Hospital

Author(s): Fernando Nestor Facio Junior, Luis Cesar Fava Spessoto, Marina Gaglianone Teodoro da Silva

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common cause of sexual dysfunction in men and shares several risk factors with systemic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Objective: Investigate the relationship between ED and MetS among patients at a university hospital. Patients and Methods: Patients with ED were retrospectively investigated in a cross-sectional study conducted at a university hospital. The following variables were analyzed: systemic arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, low adherence to treatment or ineffective treatment, medications, glycated hemoglobin and lipids (total cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides). Results: Among the 96 patients studied, 23 (24%) met the criteria for MetS. Analyzing only one comorbidity, 10.4% of patients had hypertension, 5.2% had DM2 and 5.2% had dyslipidemia. Age ranged from 21 to 78 years (mean: 56.9 ± 12.2 years) and 52% of patients were older than 60 years of age. Abnormal glycated hemoglobin was found in 40.6%) of patients; 41.6% had dyslipidemia; 47.9% had hypertension; and 39.6% used anti-hypertensive medications. Smoking was found in 39.5% and alcohol use was found in 30.2%. The results of the chi-squared test revealed that smoking was significantly associated with hypertension, DM2 and dyslipidemia (P < 0.01). Nearly half (46.9%) of the patients had low adherence or underwent ineffective treatment. Conclusion: No association was found between erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome. Significant associations were found between smoking and hypertension, DM2 and dyslipidemia.

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