title: Factors associated with sex hormones and erectile dysfunction in male Taiwanese participants with obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity has been receiving an increasing amount of attention recently, but investigations regarding the potential impact of obesity, sexual behaviors, and sex hormones on erectile dysfunction (ED) in men have not completely clarified the association.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the relationship between ED, sexual behavior, sexual satisfaction, sex hormones, and obesity in older adult males in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from a baseline survey of 476 older adult males (≧40 years old). Their demographic data, body mass index (BMI), sex hormones, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, and ED status were assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI), and Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSS) were used to assess ED, sexual desire, and sexual satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 476 men were available for analysis. The mean age of the sample was 51.34 ± 7.84 years (range 40 to 70 years). The IIEF total score had a mean of 19.44 ± 4.98; 264 (55.5%) subjects had ED, 250 (52.9%) were currently obese (BMI ≧27), and 297 (62.4%) had metabolic syndrome. The results showed an increased risk of ED among obese men and subjects with lower levels of sex hormones and lower sexual desire. Testosterone levels were lower in subjects with obesity (P < 0.001). Among the predictors of ED, obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.07-2.44, P = 0.021), abnormal high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (OR = 10.59, 95% CI = 4.70-23.87, P < 0.001), and lower serum full testosterone (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 2.16-4.93, P < 0.001) were significantly independent factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the idea of a close relationship between low levels of sex hormones, sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, obesity, and ED, and also shows that low free testosterone and hs-CRP may predict ED, even in obese populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital Tainan Branch, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Der
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Jian-Kang
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Mi-Chia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Lyh-Jyh
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: I-Chen
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Erectile Dysfunction; High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein; Metabolic Syndrome; Obesity; Sexual Desire; Sexual Satisfaction; Testosterone; Testosterone Deficiency; The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5)