Evaluation of endothelial dysfunction with cardio-ankle vascular index measurements in patients with erectile dysfunction

Background It has been reported that there is a relationship between erectile dysfunction and endothelial dysfunction. However, a practical and non-invasive method to clinically evaluate this relationship has not yet been determined. The cardio-ankle vascular index is a marker of arteriosclerosis that develops as a result of endothelial dysfunction. Objective To investigate the correlation between the cardio-ankle vascular index and the presence and severity of erectile dysfunction. Materials/methods This was a case-control study including 74 patients that presented to the urology department of our institution with erectile dysfunction (without cardiovascular risk factors) and 86 healthy individuals of similar age. The patients with erectile dysfunction and the control group were evaluated using the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Cardio-ankle vascular index and ankle-brachial pressure index measurements were performed using the VaSera VS-1000 (Fukuda-Denshi Company, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) device. Results The mean age was 59.8 +/- 1.3 years for the erectile dysfunction group and 57.9 +/- 1.1 years for the control group. The mean right (R)-cardio-ankle vascular index values of the erectile dysfunction and control groups were 9.20 +/- 2.6 and 8.11 +/- 1.8, respectively (p = 0.014), and their mean left (L)-cardio-ankle vascular index values were 9.08 +/- 2.7 and 7.96 +/- 1.2, respectively (p = 0.008). The mean International Index of Erectile Function score of the patients with erectile dysfunction was 10.1 +/- 3.6. An inverse correlation was found between the R-cardio-ankle vascular index and L-cardio-ankle vascular index and the International Index of Erectile Function score (r = -0.411, p = 0.011, and r = -0.454, p < 0.001, respectively). Discussion and Conclusion According to our findings, the cardio-ankle vascular index was higher in patients with erectile dysfunction than in healthy individuals.