title: Penile arterial waveform analyzing system for early identification of young adults with high risk of erectile dysfunction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High prevalence of erectile dysfunction in young adults has raised much concern regarding early identification of risk factors for timely intervention.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at identifying young males at risk through a novel penile arterial waveform analyzing system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between July 2009 and December 2010, 30 young adult volunteers of age 18 to 29 without known history of vascular diseases or erectile dysfunction were recruited.
  
  
  METHODS
  Basic demographic and anthropometric characteristics (i.e., age, body weight, body height, body mass index, waist circumference) were recorded. Blood samples were obtained for determining levels of testosterone, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglyceride, fasting sugar, low- and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Data obtained from visual sexual stimulation (VSS) RigiScan and the penile arterial waveform amplitude (PAWA) ratios were compared in terms of their correlations with anthropometric and serum biochemical parameters using Pearson's correlation analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PAWA ratios were found to correlate with Rigidity (tip and base) (r = 0.425, P = 0.019 and r = 0.664, P < 0.001, respectively). Significant associations of PAWA ratios were noted not only with serum testosterone level but also with risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases including total triglyceride, HDL, age, waist circumference, body mass index, and diastolic blood pressure. However, VSS RigiScan failed in identifying significant correlations with HDL, age, and diastolic blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Not only could the penile waveform analyzing system assess penile endothelial function in young adults, but the results also showed significant associations with their serum testosterone levels and metabolic parameters. The findings suggest that PAWA ratio may serve as an indicator for early identification and treatment of young adults at risk of erectile dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsien-Tsai
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chun-Ho
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chin-Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cheuk-Kwan
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D013739:Testosterone; D014280:Triglycerides; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human