Correlates of erectile dysfunction in moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Objective and background:  Erectile dysfunction (ED) has important negative effects on male quality of life and self-esteem. The aim of this study was to acquire an insight into the sexual status of COPD patients.

Methods:  Ninety-five male patients aged 48–75 years, with moderate-to-severe stable COPD, and 30 age-matched subjects with normal pulmonary function were included. After clinical evaluation and measurement of serum sex hormones and TNF-α concentration, subjects were asked to answer the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire as a method to diagnose and classify ED.

Results:  Varying degrees of ED were detected in 87% of COPD patients and 83% of controls. Although the total percentages of subjects with various severities of ED seemed similar, moderate and severe ED was 57% in COPD group and 20% in control subjects, suggesting a more severe course of ED in COPD patients. ED score of COPD patients was not correlated with age, smoking burden, duration of COPD, FEV₁%, PaO₂, PaCO₂, serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate, testosterone or estradiol levels. When patients were subgrouped according to severity of ED, serum TNF-α concentration, used as a marker of systemic inflammatory status in COPD, was significantly higher in patients with moderate-to-severe ED compared with mild-moderate ED.

Conclusion:  The present study showed that ED is frequent and more severe in COPD patients than age-matched controls. Chronic systemic inflammation is likely to play a role in ED in COPD; the role of TNF-α should be evaluated further. Patients with COPD need comprehensive management including a detailed sexual evaluation.