Effect of correcting serum cholesterol levels on erectile function in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effect of correction of serum cholesterol levels on erectile function and sildenafil treatment in patients with erectile dysfunction who have only hypercholesterolaemia as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with a single risk factor (hypercholesterolaemia, serum cholesterol > 200 mg/dl) for erectile dysfunction were included in the study. The patients were recommended to take sildenafil (minimum two 100 mg tablets/week) 1 h before sexual intercourse for 4 weeks. After 1 month washout period, the patients received a single dose of atorvastatin 10 mg/day for 1 month. Similarly, after a 1 month washout period, atorvastatin 10 mg/day and sildenafil (minimum two 100 mg tablets/week) were administered for 1 month as combination therapy. Erectile function was evaluated before and after all treatment regimens using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).


RESULTS
Following each treatment modality mean IIEF scores were significantly higher than baseline IIEF scores (p < 0.01). The IIEF score after sildenafil treatment was significantly higher than in the atorvastatin treatment group (p < 0.01); and the IIEF score after combined treatment was significantly higher than in the sildenafil and atorvastatin treatment groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Correction of serum cholesterol levels with atorvastatin could improve erectile function in patients who have only hypercholesterolaemia as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, atorvastatin could improve sildenafil's effects on erectile function in hypercholesterolaemic patients with erectile dysfunction.
Gokkaya
Serkan Cevdet
SC
Numune Education and Research Hospital, Department of Urology, Ankara, Turkey.
Ozden
Cuneyt
C
Levent Ozdal
Ozdem
O
Hakan Koyuncu
Hasbey
H
Guzel
Ozer
O
Memis
Ali
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011687:Purines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex / Q000187:drug effects
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D011758:Pyrroles; D013450:Sulfones; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate