title: Erectile function in cardiovascular patients: its significance and a quick assessment using a visual-scale questionnaire.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular diseases and to test a novel visual-scale questionnaire (VEF) we propose for the assessment of erectile function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Erectile function was assessed in 170 male cardiovascular patients under the age of 70 by the use of several self-administered questionnaires: the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5); the Massachusetts Male Aging Study questionnaires (MMAS Sexual Activity Questionnaire and MMAS Single Question), and finally, VEF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients’ mean age was 55.65 ± 9.97 y. The most common indications for hospitalization were coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 82, 48%), and decompensated chronic heart failure (n = 30, 18%). The prevalence of ED as determined by IIEF-5 was 58% (n = 99). Patients with ED were on average 5.7 years older (P = 0.0001), had a higher frequency of diabetes (by 19%, P < 0.01), and a somewhat higher level of uric acid (by 72 μmol/l, P < 0.01). Results of the VEF correlated significantly with those of other questionnaires. Three different machine learning algorithms demonstrated a greater accuracy of VEF than IIEF-5 and MMAS Sexual Activity Questionnaire in predicting ED severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ED is highly prevalent among cardiovascular patients. The Visual Scale Erectile Function questionnaire (VEF) is a simple and valid tool, suitable for quick screening of this condition.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Glavaš
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Valenčić
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Trbojević
authors.forename: Ana-Marija
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tomašić
authors.forename: Nikolina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Turčić
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tibauth
authors.forename: Alen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ružić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Erectile dysfunction; cardiovascular diseases; coronary artery disease; questionnaires