title: Association of Hypertension With Erectile Function in Chronic Peripheral Arterial Insufficiency Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Risk factors may influence the improvement or worsening of erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of systemic hypertension on ED in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of hypertension on ED was assessed in 125 consecutive patients in a cross-sectional quantitative study. The ages of the patients ranged from 19 to 88 years old (mean: 59.82 ± 10.48 years). The only exclusion criterion was the amputation of one or both legs. The ankle-arm index was assessed and the international index of ED questionnaire was applied to all participants in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 125 patients, 22 (17.6%) had mild (grade 1), 50 (40.0%) had moderate (grade 2) and 53 (42.4%) had severe (grade 3) ED. Hypertensive patients have more ED, with ED in hypertensive patients being associated to chronic arterial disease. However, in comparison with normotensive patients, hypertension exerts an immediate protective effect on erectile function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, although erectile function is initially protected by systemic arterial hypertension in patients with chronic arterial disease, both chronic arterial disease and ED deteriorate over the long term in hypertensive patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Medicine School of Sao Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luis Cesar Fava
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Spessoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Medicine School of Sao Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando Nestor
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Facio
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Medicine School of Sao Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jose Germano Ferraz
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: de Arruda
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Medicine School of Sao Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Francisco F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Arruda
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Medicine School of Sao Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gatti
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Medicine School of Sao Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago Silveira
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Antoniassi
authors.affiliation: Ceres College (FACERES), Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda Warick
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Facio
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Medicine School of Sao Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jose Maria Pereira
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: de Godoy
keywords: Chronic arterial disease; Erectile dysfunction; Hypertension