Atherogenic index of plasma higher in men with erectile dysfunction

Patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) have elevated values of atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), a recent study has found.

The study included 124 ED patients (mean age, 46.7±9.6 years) and 126 controls (mean age, 47.8±9.1 years). Erectile function was evaluated in accordance with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of lipid levels, which in turn were used for the calculation of the AIP.  

ED patients had significantly higher mean AIP values than controls (0.45±0.27 vs 0.37±0.27; p=0.015). Upon exercise stress testing (EST), ED patients showed significantly lower max heart rate (162.8±6.1 vs 165±8.7; p=0.019), as well as metabolic equivalent score (METs; 11.1±2.2 vs 11.6±2.2; p=0.045).

Researchers also found that AIP rose with increasing ED severity (mild: 0.37±0.25; mild–moderate: 0.46±0.27; moderate: 0.48±0.25; severe: 0.59±0.41), although statistical significance was not achieved (p=0.18).

On the other hand, both METs (p=0.026) and max heart rate (p=0.018) under EST dropped significantly progressively with increasing ED severity.

Logistic ordinal regression analysis confirmed the significant and inverse correlation between AIP and ED (odds ratio, –1.143, 95 percent confidence interval, –2.646 to –0.181; p=0.025). AIP was also negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and negatively with glucose and glycated haemoglobin concentrations (p<0.001 for all).

“[I]t should be kept in mind that each patient with ED is also a vascular patient or candidate,” researchers said. “This is especially true for patients whose ED is not thought to be hormonal, neurological, or psychological in origin.”