title: Vascular and Chronological Age in Subjects with Erectile Dysfunction: A Cross-Sectional Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular age, as derived from the SCORE project algorithm for cardiovascular (CV) risk estimation, is an effective way for communicating CV risk. However, studies on its clinical correlates are scanty.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if the difference between vascular and chronological age (Δage), in a population of subjects with erectile dysfunction (ED), can identify men with a worse risk profile.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive series of 2,853 male patients attending the outpatient clinic for erectile dysfunction (ED) for the first time was retrospectively studied. Among them, 85.4% (n = 2,437) were free of previous MACE and were analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Several clinical, biochemical, and penile color Doppler parameters were studied. Vascular age was derived from the SCORE project algorithm, and the Δage was considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher Δage is associated with several conventional (family history of CV diseases, hyperglycemia, elevated triglycerides, and increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome) and unconventional (severity of ED, frequency of sexual activity, alcohol abuse, lower education level, fatherhood, extramarital affairs, compensated hypogonadism, and low prolactin levels) risk factors. Δage is inversely related to penile color Doppler parameters, including flaccid and dynamic peak systolic velocity and flaccid acceleration (β = -0.125, -0.113, and -0.134, respectively, all P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In subjects referring for ED without a personal history of CV events, Δage is associated with an adverse cardio-metabolic profile and worse penile color Doppler ultrasound parameters. Δage provides a simple method for identifying high-risk men that must undergo significant modification in their lifestyle and risk factors. In addition, it can be considered a simple, inexpensive, and safe surrogate marker of penile arterial damage.
authors.affiliation: Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rastrelli
authors.affiliation: Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.|Endocrinology Section, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Section Geriatric Unit, Department of Critical Care, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mannucci
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Section, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maggi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior
keywords: Cardiovascular Risk Factors; Erectile Dysfunction; Penile Color Doppler Ultrasound; SCORE Project Algorithm; Vascular Age