Al-Azhar Assiut Medical Journal (Jan 2017)

Erectile dysfunction in male patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

  • Hamdy M Hasan,
  • Eisa I Afify,
  • Tareq M Tawfik,
  • Ismail M Al Wakeel,
  • Fawzy M Abd El Fattah

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/AZMJ.AZMJ_57_16
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 2
pp. 67 – 70

Abstract

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Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic disease, which diminishes the patient’s functional capacity and quality of life. Only few studies have been published on the occurrence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in COPD patients. Objective The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of ED in COPD patients and its relation with other clinical and laboratory parameters. Patients and methods The study included 30 patients with severe chronic stable COPD (diagnosed and staged according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines) and 30 healthy volunteers. Assessment of erectile function was carried out for all participants using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire. Results Both COPD patients and controls were age matched. On comparing the 6 min walk test results between the two groups, there was a highly significant decrease in the distance×weight parameter in COPD patients (19.687±3.104 kg/km) than in normal controls (35.24±4.35 kg/2 km). Evaluation of erectile function was carried out using the questionnaire of IIEF. The mean score of erectile function was significantly decreased in COPD patients than in the normal control group (P<0.05), and the results showed that 76% of all patients with COPD were found to have ED compared with 23% in healthy controls. ED in COPD patients was graded as mild [three cases (10%)], mild to moderate [4 (13%) cases], moderate [four (13%) cases], and severe ED [12 (40%) cases], whereas the ED in the control group was mild [four (13%) cases] and mild to moderate [three (10%) cases]. Correlation analyses showed a linear relationship (positive correlation) between IIEF-5 and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (%), forced vital capacity (%), peak expiratory flow (%), PaO2, SO2 (%), and distance×weight. Conclusion ED is a frequent problem in patients with COPD. The limitations of physical activity in the pathophysiology of COPD seem to interfere with the sexual function of these patients.

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