title: Association between erectile dysfunction and asymptomatic cardiovascular damage in middle-aged men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It has been proposed that the same cardiovascular risk (CV) factors predispose middle-aged men to the development of both coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction (ED). Moreover, several recently published studies have identified ED as a possible early marker of CV disease. The aim of this particular study was to evaluate the association between ED and early asymptomatic heart and vascular damage in middle-aged men with CV risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire was employed to assess the erectile function of the study participants and to allocate them either into the ED group (N=21; mean IIEF score, 18.15 [SD, 2.54]; mean age, 48.2 years [SD, 4.4]) or the control group (N=24; mean IIEF score, 23.45 [SD, 0.99]; mean age, 46.8 years [SD, 3.1]). Additionally, pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, pulse pressure, carotid intima media thickness (IMT), and atherosclerotic plaque count were determined, and echocardiography was performed in every subject.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean IMT and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) of both carotid arteries in the ED group were significantly higher when compared with controls (598.57 vs. 535.54 mm·10(-3), P=0.03, and 107.26 vs. 98.67 g/m2, P=0.04, respectively). Using multiple regression analysis, an independent association between the IIEF score and the LVMI was found (P=0.002). No significant differences in the results of pulse wave velocity, atherosclerotic plaque count, and other laboratory tests were found between the 2 study groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study suggests that ED is associated with a higher LVMI and may be an early marker of CV disease.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Internal Medicine, Oncology and Family Medicine, Santariškių 2, 08611 Vilnius, Lithuania. vilma.dzenkeviciute@santa.lt.
authors.forename: Vilma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dženkevičiūtė
authors.forename: Zaneta
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Petrulionienė
authors.forename: Virginijus
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sapoka
authors.forename: Vytautas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kasiulevičius
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008097:Lithuania / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires