The prevalence of newly diagnosed hyperlipidaemia in men with erectile dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of newly diagnosed hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia in patients presenting to an andrology clinic with erectile dysfunction (ED), and to assess the relationship between serum lipid levels and the severity of ED.


METHODS
In all, 199 consecutive men attending an ED clinic were assessed for risk factors for ED; patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-15 questionnaire and provided venous blood samples for assaying fasting total cholesterol and total triglyceride levels. The proportion of newly diagnosed hyperlipidaemia in patients presenting with ED was calculated and related to patient age, total IIEF score and severity of ED.


RESULTS
Using a threshold of 5.0 mmol/L, there was newly diagnosed hypercholesterolaemia in 40% of the men, while there was undiagnosed hypertriglyceridaemia (>2 mmol/L) in 29% of the population. There was no clear correlation between patient age and the fasting lipid levels, and no association between total IIEF-15 score or severity of ED and serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows the high prevalence of undiagnosed hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia in men presenting with ED. The opportunity to screen for and treat these risk factors has long-term benefits in preventing cardiovascular disease in this group of patients.
Smith
Nicholas J
NJ
Pyrah Department of Urology, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. nicksmith45@hotmail.com
Sak
Sei C
SC
Baldo
Omer
O
Eardley
Ian
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol