Choroidal Thickness Analysis in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the morphological features of choroidal vasculature in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) by ana-lyzing choroidal thickness using optical coherence tomography. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 39 patients with ED and 19 controls. ED was defined as an erectile function domain score <26 on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Small-choroidal-vessel-layer (SCVL) thickness was calculated by subtracting large-choroidal-vessel-layer (which corresponded to Haller’s layer) thickness from total choroi-dal thickness. Choroidal thickness was compared between the ED and control groups. Results: SCVL thickness was lesser in the ED group than in the control group (control, 69.8±24.3 μm vs. ED, 55.1±19.9 μm; p=0.017). Among patients without diabetes, the ED group showed significantly lesser SCVL thickness than did the control group (control, 77.1±22.7 μm vs. ED, 56.5±20.9 μm; p=0.021). However, among patients with diabetes, choroidal thickness showed no significant intergroup difference. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that spherical equivalent (standard-ized coefficient b=0.294; p=0.019) and the IIEF erectile function score (standardized coefficient b=0.315; p=0.012) were significantly associated with SCVL thickness. Conclusions: SCVL thickness, including the choriocapillaris layer and medium-sized choroidal vascular layer, decreased in proportion to ED severity, suggesting that microvascular changes in choroidal vessels may occur before specific ocular dis-eases in patients with ED.

Keywords

• Choroid
• Erectile dysfunction
• Optical coherence tomography