Background The aim of the study was to analyse the frequency of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with essential arterial hypertension (EAH) taking into account selected cardiovascular risk factors.
Material and methods The study population consisted of 214 consecutive men with EAH receiving out-patient treatment (mean age 55.3 ± 10.8 years) from whom the following information was obtained: blood pressure values, duration of EAH, current antihypertensive treatment, concomitant diseases, total cholesterol level and beverages. Monotherapy was used in 23.4%, two hypotensive agents were given to 42.1% and three to 34.5%. Lipid disorders were found in 56.1% of men. Of them 65% were receiving hypolipemic agents. There were 83 (38.8%) current smokers in the whole population. The presence and intensity of erectile dysfunction were evaluated from the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5).
Results ED were found in 85 (39.7%) men with EAH. The percentage of ED men was correlated with age (r = 0.61; p < 0.01), duration of EAH (r = 0.43; p < 0.01), smoking (r = 0.33, p < 0.01), dyslipidemia (r = 0.31, p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.30; p < 0.05) and the number of antihypertensive agents (r = 0.27; p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis for the whole population revealed that a combination of b-blockers and thiazides was associated with elevated ED risk, RR: 1.13 and 1.21; p < 0.05, whereas a combination of long-acting calcium antagonists and a-blockers with lower risk of ED, RR: 0.89 and 0.95; p < 0.05. After adjustment for age and differences in hypotensive treatment the strongest predictor of ED in men with EAH was smoking combined with dyslipidemia (RR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.45–3.1; p < 0.01).
Conclusions Erectile dysfunction occurs in about 40% of middle-aged men with EAH. Smoking and dyslipidemia are associated with higher ED frequency irrespective of age. ED is more frequent in men receiving a combination of three antihypertensive agents, especially b-blockers and thiazides.