A meta-analysis suggests association between hypertension and increased risk for erectile dysfunction. The findings were published in the International Journal of Impotence Research.
Authors searched Medline and Embase and identified 18 cross-sectional studies involving 41,943 participants and 10,151 cases of erectile dysfunction. Each study was identified as high quality, and no evidence of bias was found.
Hypertensive participants were at 84% higher risk for erectile dysfunction (OR, 1.84; P<.000001) than their normotensive counterparts. Even after adjusting for obesity, unfavourable lipid levels, alcohol abuse, physical activity, cigarette smoking, educational level and other lifestyle factors, hypertension was associated with increased risk for erectile dysfunction (OR, 1.58; P<.00001).
Authors believe hypertension should be considered as a warning sign for erectile dysfunction. They emphasise on vigorous management of hypertension particularly in ageing men with/without erectile dysfunction or those with erectile function onset. For early diagnosis and treatment, authors also emphasise on the need for regular BP monitoring in patients with erectile dysfunction who do not have hypertension. However, authors call for further high-quality prospective studies for further confirmation of their observation.
