Abstract

Erectile dysfunction is an important cause of decreased quality of life in men (1,2). Strong epidemiological evidence links the subsequent risk of erectile dysfunction to the presence of well-recognized risk factors for coronary heart disease, such as increased body weight, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (3,4). Some have suggested that a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is a sentinel event that should prompt investigation for coronary heart disease in asymptomatic men (5). We postulated an association between erectile dysfunction and the metabolic syndrome because four of the five components of the metabolic syndrome are risk factors for erectile dysfunction and are also characterized by abnormal endothelial function (6). Men were recruited among those attending the outpatient department for metabolic diseases of the teaching hospital at the second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. To be enrolled in the study, subjects had to have three or more of the criteria to meet the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome, as recommended by the Adult Treatment Panel (7). Exclusion criteria were diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, impaired renal function, pelvic trauma, prostatic disease, peripheral or autonomic neuropathy, hypertension (blood pressure >140/90 mmHg), cardiovascular disease, psychiatric problems, use of drugs or alcohol abuse, and smoking (both present and past smoking). Endocrine causes of erectile dysfunction were also excluded. A total …

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.