Erectile Dysfunction as a Predictor of Early Stage of Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in early stages is vital in decreasing mortality by reducing the risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and CAD. METHODS: A total of 200 patients were divided into four groups according to their angiography results: Group 1 (G1, n = 59): patients with one-vessel disease (1-VD); Group 2 (G2, n = 40): patients with two-vessel disease (2-VD); Group 3 (G3, n = 50): patients with three-vessel disease (3-VD); and controls (C, n = 51) without any coronary disease. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) was completed for all the patients to assess their sexual function and ED in the last 6 months. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 57.69 ± 12.466 years. The prevalence of ED in the CAD patients was significantly higher than that of the controls (75.16% vs. 60.8%; p value = 0.041). There was a significant direct correlation between the number of involved vessels in the CAD patients and ED severity (r: 0.183; p value = 0.010), and the ED rate increased with age. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, ED severity correlated with the number of involved vessels documented by coronary angiography. Consequently, ED may be considered a possible marker for the development of atherosclerosis and CAD.