title: Is the metabolic syndrome an independent risk factor for erectile dysfunction?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We determined the role of the metabolic syndrome as an independent risk factor for erectile dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men participating in a health screening project completed the International Index of Erectile Function-5. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the 2005 International Diabetes Federation consensus definition. Multiple linear regression, ANOVA and chi-square tests were used to investigate the impact of the metabolic syndrome on erectile dysfunction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2,371 men with a mean age of 46.1 years (SD 9.9, range 30 to 69) were analyzed. Of the men 33.4% (652) had no erectile dysfunction (International Index of Erectile Function-5 score 22 to 25), 59.7% (1,166) had mild erectile dysfunction (International Index of Erectile Function-5 score 17 to 21) and 6.9% (134) had moderate to severe erectile dysfunction (International Index of Erectile Function-5 score 5 to 16). The metabolic syndrome was present in 33.8% (794). In a multiple linear regression analysis an increased waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.01) and metabolic syndrome (p = 0.01) turned out to be independently associated with a decreased International Index of Erectile Function-5 score. When stratified according to age, the metabolic syndrome was correlated to erectile dysfunction only in men 50 years old or older with an increase of severe erectile dysfunction by 48% (p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The metabolic syndrome and an increased waist-to-hip ratio are independently associated with a decreased International Index of Erectile Function-5 score. The metabolic syndrome in men older than 50 years is significantly associated with a higher proportion of moderate to severe erectile dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, Donauspital, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heidler
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Temml
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Broessner
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mock
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rauchenwald
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madersbacher
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ponholzer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors