The prevalence of erectile dysfunction in the primary care setting: importance of risk factors for diabetes and vascular disease.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and associated risk factors has been described in many clinical settings, but there is little information regarding men seen by primary care physicians. We sought to identify independent factors associated with ED in a primary care setting. METHODS: We surveyed a cross-sectional sample of 3921 Canadian men, aged 40 to 88 years, seen by primary care physicians. Participants completed a full medical history, physical examination, and measurement of fasting blood glucose and lipid levels. We used the International Index of Erectile Function to define ED as a score of less than 26 on the erectile function domain. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of ED was 49.4%. The presence of cardiovascular disease (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-1.81; P<.01) or diabetes (OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 2.35-4.16; P<.001) increased the probability of ED after adjustment for other confounders. Among those individuals without cardiovascular disease or diabetes, the calculated 10-year Framingham coronary risk (OR, 1.03 per 1% increase; 95% CI, 1.02-1.05; P<.001) and fasting blood glucose levels (OR, 1.14 per 18-mg/dL [1-mmol/L] increase; 95% CI, 1.04-1.24; P<.01) were independently associated with ED. Erectile dysfunction was also independently associated with undiagnosed hyperglycemia (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.02-2.10; P = .04), impaired fasting glucose (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.08-1.46; P = .004), and the metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.24-1.69; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, future coronary risk, and increasing fasting glucose levels are independently associated with ED. It remains to be determined if ED precedes the development of these conditions.

The macrolides.

Erythromycin, which was introduced over 50 years ago, was the first macrolide to be used clinically. "New" macrolides, for the treatment of patients with various infectious diseases, were not clinically introduced until 40 years later. The pharmacokinetic and adverse events profile of erythromycin initially limited its use to an alternative agent for patients with allergy to beta-lactam agents. However, the emergence of atypical and/or new pathogens and the ongoing escalation of acquired antimicrobial resistance has impacted on the empirical and organism directed therapy of infectious diseases. Azithromycin and clarithromycin were developed by enhancing the basic macrolide structure. Some of the basic features associated with these new agents include a pharmacokinetic profiles that allow once or twice daily dosing with a much lower incidence of side effects and a substantially broader spectrum of activity which includes some Gram-negative bacilli, atypical pathogens and new, unconventional or uncommon pathogens. Clinical trial data has supported the use of "new" macrolides in a wide range of clinical indications, however, some specific indications are currently restricted to treatment with either azithromycin or clarithromycin. Macrolide resistance is a class effect and depending on the mechanism will confer either low or high level resistance. While resistance is problematic, it does not always result in clinical failure. The macrolides are a valuable class of antimicrobial agent and play an important role in the management of infectious diseases.