title: Erectile dysfunction for primary care providers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects more than half of men between the ages of 40 and 70 years and is associated with a significant decline in quality of life. ED in an otherwise healthy man should be considered a sentinel event for endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Such a person should be carefully evaluated for undiagnosed risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders, and obesity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To understand that erectile dysfunction is prevalent and may be the first sign of undiagnosed cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Current literature suggests that physicians should screen all men for ED, and if present, rule out concomitant cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ED is prevalent and may be the first sign of undiagnosed cardiovascular risk factors. With the advent of safe and effective phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE-5i), most patients reporting dissatisfaction with erectile function can start treatment right away. Preventative care algorithms should include screening men 40 years of age or older for ED.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Brien
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Trussell
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010821:Physicians, Family; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents