Is erectile dysfunction a predictor of cardiovascular events or stroke? A prospective study using a validated questionnaire

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is linked to various cardiovascular risk factors and may therefore serve as a predictor of cardiovascular events. To gain further insight into this relationship, we reviewed all data regarding hospital admission for cardial or cerebral vascular disease that occurred until 2008 in a cohort of men who underwent a health investigation in 2001. Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. In total, 2506 men with a negative history of cardial or cerebral vascular disease were analysed. During the 6.5-year follow-up, 58 cardiovascular events (2.3%) occurred. Men without ED (IIEF-5 >22; n=1636) at baseline developed a cardiovascular event in 1.9% (n=32) as compared with 2.9% (+52%; n=26) in those with ED (IIEF-5 < or =22; n=670). In contrast to age (hazard ratio (HR): 1.6; 1.2-1.8 for every decade), hypertension (HR: 1.88; 1.1-3.1) and diabetes (HR: 2.6; 1.2-5.8), ED was not an independent risk factor for a cardiovascular event. Although men with ED were at increased risk for future cardiovascular events, ED was not an age-independent predictor of cardiovascular events in our cohort.