The relationship between erectile dysfunction and the Atherogenic Index of Plasma

The objective of this study was to compare the Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) values as indicators of subclinical atherosclerosis among 124 patients with erectile dysfunction, which was thought to be vasculogenic and 126 control subjects who had no erectile dysfunction, and to compare cardiac performance values between both the groups using exercise stress tests (EST). Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire form. AIP values were studied and compared between patients with ED (IIEF  <  22) and those without ED (IIEF  >  22) using the log10 TG/HDL-C formula. In addition, the correlation between the severity of ED and AIP was investigated according to IIEF-5 scoring. Metabolic equivalent (MET) values, maximal heart rates (max HR), and heart rate recovery (HRR) were evaluated with effort tests. AIP values were significantly higher in the ED group than in the control group (0.45  ±  0.27, and 0.37  ±  0.27; p  =  0.015). According to IIEF-5 scoring, AIP values increased as ED scores decreased. In the EST, MET score and max HR values were significantly lower in the ED group (METs: 11.1  ±  2.2, and 11.6  ±  2.2; p  =  0.045; Max HR: 162.8  ±  6.1, and 165  ±  8.7; p  =  0.019). Although not statistically significant, HRR values were lower in the ED group. Higher AIP values were found in the ED group, and a positive correlation was established between AIP and the severity of ED. In addition, lower performance during the EST and lower HRR values, again in the ED group, confirms cardiac interaction with ED. These results indicate the importance of referral of patients with ED from urology clinics to cardiology units for risk determination and cardiac assessment, even if they areasymptomatic.