title: Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations in men with erectile dysfunction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In 1994, the Massachusetts Male Aging Study presented the finding of an inverse correlation of the serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED). Prompted by the positive results of a pilot study on the treatment of ED with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), we performed a detailed investigation on the serum DHEAS levels in men with ED according to age category.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inclusion criteria included a history of ED for more than 6 months, a body mass index less than 30, and a state of good general health. Serum DHEAS concentrations were determined in 309 patients with ED and 133 healthy volunteers. All participants were carefully screened to assess medical factors known or suspected to alter endocrine function. Questions 3 and 4 of the International Index of Erectile Function were used to evaluate erectile function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum levels of DHEAS in patients with ED were lower than in healthy volunteers until 60 years of age. The shape of the curve of the patients with ED indicated a quadratic decrease of DHEAS with age in contrast to a more linear decrease of DHEAS with age in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that until the age of 60 years, the mean serum level of DHEAS is lower in patients with ED than in healthy volunteers.
authors.affiliation: Department ofUrology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pycha
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schatzl
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Klingler
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Märk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Auterith
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marberger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate