ABSTRACT
To evaluate the relationship between serum lipids including cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein [LDL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], and triglyceride and erectile dysfunction [ED]. From January 2000 to June 2003, 100 patients with organic ED, who were referred to our center, were selected and their lipid profile [Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL, LDL] were assessed. The results were compared with those in 100 healthy individuals. Mean age of men in the study and control groups were 43.72 +/- 9.76 and 43.59 +/- 10.51 years, respectively. Mean plasma cholesterol and LDL levels in individuals suffering from erectile dysfunction were significantly higher than controls [P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively]. However, no difference in the mean plasma triglyceride and HDL levels was seen. Odds Ratios for high plasma cholesterol level [>240 mg/dl] and high plasma LDL level [>160 mg/dl] were 1.74 and 1.97, respectively [r2 = 0.04 and r2 = 0.04]. Using linear regression analysis, the regression coefficient for cholesterol and LDL versus the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction Questionnaire [IIEF] score were -0.036 and -0.035, respectively [95% confidence interval: 0.98 - 2.5 for cholesterol and 1.13 - 2.81 for LDL]. The impact of total cholesterol and particularly LDL on men's erectile function underlines the role of hyperlipidemia treatment in prevention of ED and emerges a holistic management in ED patients