Higher systemic immune-inflammation index is associated with increased risk of erectile dysfunction: Result from NHANES 2001–2004

This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to investigate the association between the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult males. The SII is a novel index derived from the counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets in the peripheral blood and serves as a comprehensive indicator of the immune response and inflammation levels. The study included 3601 participants from the NHANES 2001-2004 cycle. Covariates such as age, race, marital status, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes were taken into account. Weighted analysis and logistic regression models were applied to assess the relationship between SII and ED, adjusting for potential confounding factors. The prevalence of ED was found to be 6.28%. Overall, there is a linear correlation between SII (nonlinear P > .05) and ED. After adjusting for various confounding factors, a significant association was observed between high levels of the SII and ED. The odds ratio (OR) for ED in individuals with high SII levels was 1.45 (95% CI: 1.01–2.17, P = .045). Subgroup analysis further identified specific participant subgroups with a significant association between SII and ED. Our findings suggest that higher levels of the SII are independently associated with an increased risk of ED in adult males. The SII may serve as a valuable biomarker for identifying individuals at higher risk of ED and may aid in the development of tailored treatment approaches. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic implications.