Biochemical screening in the assessment of erectile dysfunction: what tests decide future therapy?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate which biochemical tests, performed as screening tests in the assessment of erectile dysfunction (ED), lead to a change in standard treatment.


METHODS
We examined the results of the biochemical and endocrine tests performed as part of the assessment of 1455 men presenting with ED. We also documented the subsequent therapy.


RESULTS
We found abnormal findings in testosterone (5.7%), prolactin (0.5%), thyroid function tests (0.13%), liver function tests (12.8%), glucose (9.3%), cholesterol (15% in a subset of 531 men), and ferritin (1.6%). Hyperprolactinemia was not invariably associated with a suppressed testosterone level. Specific therapy with a dopamine agonist for hyperprolactinemia and with testosterone for hypogonadism was effective in treating ED. For the others, standard ED therapy was used.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study showed that screening tests fall into two categories. Testosterone and prolactin have a low yield but specific therapy is effective. Glucose and lipids have a higher yield but specific therapy is not immediately effective for ED. However, they, on their own merits, require management to prevent long-term morbidity and mortality.
Earle
Carolyn M
CM
Keogh Institute for Medical Research, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
Stuckey
Bronwyn G A
BG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006728:Hormones; D005293:Ferritins; D002784:Cholesterol; D007501:Iron; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase