Independent Determinants of Coronary Artery Disease in Erectile Dysfunction Patients

IntroductionThere is growing evidence of a link between erectile dysfunction (ED) and coronary artery disease (CAD).AimsThe purpose of this study was to explore the independent determinants of CAD in ED outpatients.MethodsThis study enrolled 243 patients, ranging in age from 21 to 81 years old, suffering from ED as diagnosed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores. All patients underwent exercise stress tests or thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography perfusion imagings. Based on examination results, patients were divided into study (22 patients with a positive finding) and control groups (221 patients with a negative finding).Main Outcome MeasuresThe differences of demographic characteristics, biochemical profiles, pro-inflammatory and inflammatory markers, and echocardiographic characteristics between study and control group were compared.ResultsThe age, presence of DM and current smoking status were significant high in the study group. A significant lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, a higher percentage of HDL cholesterol levelConclusionsThis study first shows the independent determinants of CAD in ED outpatients. This novel finding may improve the screening of low-risk ED patients for CAD.