The association between clinical characteristics and cardiac dysfunction in men with erectile dysfunction: the EDcard prospective cohort study

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is recognized as an early marker
for cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the specific clinical characteristics
that correlate with cardiac dysfunction in men with ED remain unclear. We
aimed to investigate the association between clinical characteristics and
cardiac dysfunction as assessed with echocardiography in men with ED.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study of men with ED, left ventricular (LV)
systolic and diastolic dysfunction were assessed using echocardiography.
Clinical characteristics such as age, body mass index (BMI), blood
pressure, lipid profiles, high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), and cardiovascular
comorbidities were recorded and analyzed for their association with
cardiac dysfunction.
Results: In total, 398 men with ED were included. 41.7% had normal LV
systolic function, 58.3% impaired. For LV diastolic function, 90.2% were
normal, 9.8% impaired. BMI, diastolic blood pressure, and hs-CRP were
associated with increased risk of LV systolic dysfunction with odds ratios
of 1.08 (95% CI: 1.02-1.14), 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01-1.05), and 1.28 (95% CI:
1.03-1.59), respectively. Multivariate analysis identified dyslipidemia as an
independent predictor of LV systolic dysfunction, with an odds ratio of
2.08 (95% CI: 1.07-4.17).
Conclusion: Men with ED and LV systolic dysfunction have higher BMI,
elevated hs-CRP, and increased diastolic blood pressure. Multivariate
analysis identifies dyslipidemia as a significant risk factor for LV systolic
dysfunction. These findings may improve the identification and
management of cardiovascular risks in men with ED.