title: The relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction: the role of autonomic hyperactivity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether autonomic nervous system (ANS) hyperactivity may be a potential cause for the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients were recruited for this study. Complete physical examinations, urine analysis, uroflowmetry, and postvoid residual urine volume (PVRU) analysis were performed. The potential impact of some factors such as hyperglycemia, obesity, and hyperlipidemia were analyzed. These values were correlated with the various symptom scores. We performed an electromyographic and an electrocardiographic evaluation. The alterations after treatment with 2 different alpha-blockers were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The electromyographic and electrocardiographic assessments revealed a minimal increase in ANS activity and it did not change significantly after treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, maximum flow rate increased and PVRU decreased significantly (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively); total and free testosterone levels increased significantly (P = 0.0068 and P = 0.0071, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 treatment groups regarding the outcomes of the Danish Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire (P = 0.047).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This current study suggested that the effect of ANS hyperactivity is not the fundamental factor underlying the relationship between LUTS and ED.
authors.affiliation: Department  or Urology, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. umul7@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Umul
authors.forename: Ahmet Bariş
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Altay
authors.forename: Fikret
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bademkiran
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Turna
authors.forename: Mehmet Bülent
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Semerci
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Apaydin
authors.forename: Necmettin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cikili
mesh_terms: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000368:Aged; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D011799:Quinazolines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013739:Testosterone; C047638:alfuzosin; D000077409:Tamsulosin