Erectile dysfunction ‘increases the risk of early death by 70%
It is an embarrassing condition that can affect a man’s performance in the bedroom. But now, scientists have warned erectile dysfunction could have an impact on a man’s lifespan.
They found men suffering erectile dysfunction are 70 per cent more likely to die early. That is because the disorder – which affects 18 million men in the US – is an important marker of cardiovascular risk, the team at the University of Mississippi said.
As a result, men with erectile dysfunction should be screened and potentially treated for complications – such as cardiovascular disease – that may increase the risk of premature death.
Erectile dysfunction affects a man’s sexual performance – and his lifespan, scientists revealed. Men with the disorder are 70 per cent more likely to die prematurely, a new study found
Erectile dysfunction is often thought of as an issue that primarily affects older men, yet, nearly 20 per cent of men under the age of 40 are affected by the disorder, researchers said.
It was already known that erectile dysfunction is linked to cardiovascular disease risk factors – including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, diabetes and smoking.
The disorder has also already been recognized as a risk factor for stroke and coronary heart disease – in addition to angina myocardial infarction.
The link between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular risk may arise as a result of endothelial cell dysfunction and impaired production of nitrous oxide, the scientists said.
To arrive at their conclusions, they examined data from 1,790 men between the ages of 20 to 85 who participated in the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
They linked the survey data with death certificates from the National Death Index through December 21, 2011.
Erectile dysfunction was measured by asking: ‘How would you describe your ability to get and keep an erection adequate for satisfactory intercourse?’
Those who answered ‘sometimes able’ or ‘never able’ were determined to have the disorder.
The scientists found that 557 of the survey participants had erectile dysfunction, after a follow-up of nearly eight years, 244 of the original group had died.
Of those deaths, 61 were from cardiovascular disease, 64 from malignant neoplasms, 12 from chronic lower respiratory diseases and the remainder form a myriad of causes.
The scientists adjusted the results to take into account age, physical activity, race-ethnicity, waist circumference, poverty-to-income ratio, cotinine and comorbid illness.
They then concluded that the survey participants who suffered erectile dysfunction had a 70 per cent increased risk of premature overall mortality.
The study said: ‘This finding should, however, be interpreted with caution as among the evaluated sample of 1,790 adults, only 61 adults between 20 to 49 years had erectile dysfunction, and among these 61 patients, only four died during the follow-up period.’
Erectile dysfunction is closely linked to cardiovascular risk factors. The association occurs because of endothelial cell dysfunction and impaired production of nitrous oxide, researchers said
The scientists said the results were also potentially limited by the self-report assessment of erectile dysfunction.
However, they also stated that the major strengths of the study include its novelty and utilization of a national sample.
Further research is needed to see the long-term results over a longer follow-up period, the researchers concluded.
The study said: ‘These findings have major public health and clinical implications in that erectile dysfunction is a strong predictor of premature mortality.’
The study was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Written by Lisa Ryan and published by The Daily Mail, December 30, 2015.
FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml“