Psychological features in men with erectile dysfunction with or without preclinical atherosclerosis.
Psychological distress was assessed with a multidimensional self-report questionnaire (Symptom Check-List-90R) in 247 men complaining of erectile dysfunction (ED), with or without preclinical atherosclerosis. This was estimated by ultrasound determination of intima-media thickness (IMT) in common carotid arteries (CC). Psychological distress was reported in 31% of men and was more prevalent in those with a vascular damage. A higher level of obsessive-compulsive (OC) features was observed in men with high CC-IMT (P=0.0069; OR 3.18, CL 1.31-7.80). Among a large number of vascular risk factors, elevated CC-IMT and a severe ED resulted independently associated with an elevated level of OC features (OR 3.36, CL 1.38-8.15; OR 2.60, CL 1.01-6.70, respectively). Mental stress driven by OC features may link ED and vascular disease by activating reciprocal exacerbating mechanisms. Psychological distress identifies men at risk for cardiovascular disease that deserve a vigorous treatment of ED to reduce risk of vascular events.
Mihalca
R
R
Department of Internal Medicine, Centre of Andrology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
Bocchio
M
M
Pelliccione
F
F
Ciociola
F
F
Necozione
S
S
Rossi
A
A
Francavilla
F
F
Francavilla
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography