Gout linked to elevated risk of erectile dysfunction
A recent study has
reported that the risk of erectile dysfunction in patients with gout was
dramatically increased when compared with the general population,
suggesting that clinicians should assess erectile function when treating
an individual who suffers from gout.
Researchers have published the findings in Rheumatology International.
Gout has been known as one of the most relapsing inflammatory arthritis,
which is typically characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate
crystals involving joints and adjacent tissues. The most common sexual
problems among men are erectile dysfunction (ED). It was reported that
the prevalence of ED ranged from 1 to 10% among men younger than 40
years, and 50% among 40- to 70-year-old men.
Previous studies
investigating the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) among patients with
gout have produced inconsistent evidence.
Lianmin Luo and associates took up the study intending to investigate
the relationship between gout and the risk of ED.
On analysis, the
following facts emerged.
Patients with gout had a 1.2-fold higher risk of ED than individuals
without gout (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10–1.31, P<0.001).
Stratified analysis by the age shown that a similar association was
detected in men younger than 50 years (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.10–1.34,
P<0.001) and those older than 50 years (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.06–1.35,
P><0.001) and those older than 50 years (RR 1.20, 95% CI
1.06–1.35, P<0.001).
When further stratified by geographic region, a statistically
significant association between gout and risk of ED was observed for
Taiwan (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.10–1.34, P=0.000), England (RR 1.18, 95% CI
1.04–1.34, P=0.01); however, a similar association was not found in the
United States (RR 1.72, 95% CI 0.70–4.26, P=0.24) and Korea (RR 0.62,
95% CI 0.11–3.53, P>0.05).
The study indicated a
20% increase in the risk of ED among subjects with gout compared with
those without gout.
Different comorbidities can affect the risk of ED. Age, smoking,
coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, chronic kidney
disease, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression, and anxiety
can further act as triggering factors.
"Our results demonstrated that patients with gout have a significantly
elevated risk of ED, which suggests that the erectile function should be
assessed when clinicians manage patients with gout and provide
corresponding specific therapies for patients with gout when necessary."
wrote the researchers.