Erectile dysfunction as a predictive factor for coronary artery disease

Abstract

Abstract Aim of the work To assess the relation between erectile dysfunction (ED) and the incidence of the coronary artery disease (CAD) and its severity. Patients and methods We studied 80 patients {40 patients with CAD (patient group) and 40 persons not known to have CAD (control group)}. For all patients full history including cardiac symptoms and International Index of Erectile Function 5 score (ILEF5) was taken. ED was considered when ILEF5 score was ⩽21. Coronary angiography was done to all patients and coronary lesion ⩾70% was considered significant. Results ED was significantly higher in patient group (18 cases, 45%) than control group (8 cases, 20%) { P -value = 0.017}. In most of the patients with ED (66.7%), the onset of ED occurred before the onset of CAD. There was a significant correlation between increase in the severity (decrease in ED score) of ED and increase in the number of coronary vessel with significant lesion ( P value = 0.001). Conclusion ED is frequently present in CAD patients and frequently comes before the onset of CAD symptoms, representing an early warning sign for latent ischemic heart disease. Severity of ED is related to severity of CAD.