The potential impact of metabolic syndrome on erectile dysfunction in aging Taiwanese males.
BACKGROUND
Recently, metabolic syndrome (MtS) has received increasing attention. However, investigations regarding the potential impact of MtS and its components on erectile dysfunction (ED) have not been completely clarified.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the potential impact of MtS on ED in aging Taiwanese males.


METHODS
The definition of MtS was according to the modified criteria developed by the Bureau of Health Promotion in Taiwan. The presence and severity of ED were evaluated by International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) scores.


METHODS
A total of 639 subjects with a mean age of 60.2 years (range 40-83) were enrolled during a free health screening. All the men had complete clinical data and questionnaires taken. Clinical variables were compared according to MtS and ED prevalence. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of ED and MtS.


RESULTS
Using age-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis, our results showed that subjects with ED had significantly higher prevalence of MtS (P<0.01, OR=2.30, 95% CI: 1.44-3.69). The presence of MtS had significant correlation with lower IIEF-5 scores (P<0.01), which were associated with the increment of MtS components number (P<0.01). Among the MtS components, abnormal fasting blood glucose (FBG) was the most significantly independent factor of MtS for ED (P=0.01, OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.09-2.35). Testosterone levels were significantly lower in subjects with MtS (P=0.05), while inversely correlated with number of MtS components (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
In aging Taiwanese males, the presence of MtS is strongly associated with ED and abnormal FBG is the most independent predictor for ED. Low testosterone level might be viewed as another possible common denominator for various pathologies linking MtS to ED.
Lee
Yung-Chin
YC
Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Liu
Chia-Chu
CC
Huang
Chun-Nung
CN
Li
Wei-Ming
WM
Wu
Wen-Jeng
WJ
Yeh
Hsin-Chih
HC
Wang
Chii-Jye
CJ
Huang
Chun-Hsiung
CH
Huang
Shu-Pin
SP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D013739:Testosterone