Erectile dysfunction in pulmonary tuberculosis: is it a common association?

Abstract

BackgroundGenital tuberculosis (TB) has negative influences on the reproductive function, and pulmonary TB causes disruption of the sexual function as well. The purpose of this study was to estimate the influence of pulmonary TB on male sexual function and sex hormones.Patients and methodsOf the 55 newly diagnosed male patients with pulmonary TB (40 pulmonary and 15 extrapulmonary: six with TB lymphadenitis and nine with TB pleuritis), 20 healthy volunteers served as control. All patients were evaluated: full clinical data, sputum smear examination, chest radiography, serum testosterone levels, and The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaires.ResultsOf the studied TB cases 78.1% had erectile dysfunction, with a higher prevalence in pulmonary TB (67.2%) when compared with the 10.9% in extrapulmonary TB. As regards radiographic patterns, the patients presented with consolidation/cavitary lesion had the highest prevalence (60%). According to the IIEF questionnaires, the total score in the pulmonary group was significantly lower than that in the extrapulmonary group (10.8±2.05 vs. 20.2±3.09) (P=0.000*). The mean testosterone level was significantly decreased in pulmonary TB cases. Sputum grading of acid-fast bacilli in patients with pulmonary TB showed that the testosterone level was significantly decreased among patients with ‘3+’ (>10 acid-fast bacilli/field) sputum smears (3.23±2.88 ng/ml) when compared with sputum negative. A significant correlation was found between bacillary load and the total score of IIEF and serum testosterone levels (r=−0.323, P=0.000*).ConclusionPulmonary TB has a negative impact on male sexual function. Thus, sexual problems should be in mind during the assessment and evaluation of patients with TB.