symptoms and erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction: an indicator of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and depression
A Erectile dysfunction (ED) is often associated with other diseases. In May 2004 resulted in the Congress of the American Urological Association (AUA) in San Francisco published a retrospective comparison of health data among men with and without ED: 68 percent of surveyed ED patients had at least one other disease: diabetes mellitus (20.2% ) (2), hypertension (41.6 (2)%), hyperlipidemia or depression. A diagnosis of ED is therefore suitable as a predictor of serious underlying disease.

The prevalence of common diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension compared to men with ED and without ED were each, in two cohort studies (1), (2) the data of up to 28 retrospectively analyzed millions of Americans.

ED - high blood pressure marker

Both the organic and the ED-related hypertension in general is based on a narrowing of blood vessels. Men with ED therefore more likely to suffer from high blood pressure than men without ED. This association between ED and hypertension was first detected now with empirical evidence (1). The prevalence of hypertension was compared for a total of 285 436 ED patients and retrospectively 1.58423 million men without ED.

In the group of men with ED, 41.2% suffered from high blood pressure. By contrast, during the non-ED group are found only in 19.2% of hypertension. In the diagnosis of ED should also always take place to monitor blood pressure. While the ED is most clearly recognized by the patients, hypertension, however, often not suffering, so that it does not perceive the victims. Thus, the ED as a marker for hypertension contribute to discover this dangerous vascular disease at an early stage.

ED and other diseases

If an ED caused by pathological vascular changes, individuals often suffer from other serious health problems. In addition to the prevalence of hypertension, therefore, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and depression in men with ED was calculated (2). A total of 42.4% of all men with ED and hyperlipidemia 20.2% had diabetes mellitus. From depression were also 11.1% of all men ill, in which an ED was diagnosed.

The frequency of the studied comorbidities generally increases with increasing age.While in the group of 18 - to 24-year-olds showed only 4.5% for hypertension, the proportion increased in men over 86 years to 68.4%. For hyperlipidemia, the prevalence increased from 3.9% at 18 - to 24-year-olds to 52.3% at 56 - to 65-year-olds. Also shows an increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus with 2.8% in the age group 18 to 24 years to 28.7% among 66 - to 75-year-old patient. Only depression occurred more frequently with increasing age does not. Depending on the age range 5.8 to 15% of all ED patients were depressed.
ED as a predictor

Only 32% of all enrolled in the study ED patients had none of the four diseases studied. ED must therefore be taken seriously as a health warning. Physicians should make greater use of ED as an early warning of associated diseases, to treat such serious underlying diseases at an early stage. A comprehensive and differential diagnosis of ED should always take into account also additional diseases. Moreover, for the history in a general patient population to basically ask the question of the erectile function as a Sensitive parameters for vascular disease.

1) Sun, P. & swindler, R.: Comparison of Hypertension Prevalence Rates Between Men with Erectile Dysfunction and Men Without Erectile Dysfunction: Abstract: AUA, San Francisco, 7th-12th May 2004.
2) Sun, P., Seftel, A.D. And swindlers, R.: The Prevalence of Four Concurrent Conditions Diagnosed Among Male Health Plan Members with Erectile Dysfunction: Abstract: 7th-12th May 2004.