ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION IS RELATED TO QUALITY OF LIFE, BUT NOT TO RISK FACTORS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES, AMONG ADULT MEN WITH HEMOPHILIA

Abstract

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a multifactorial disease related to psychosocial determinants and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Since Adults with Hemophilia (AwH) may have impaired psychosocial functioning due to the disease and have a high risk of developing CVD, we assumed ED might be prevalent among them. We evaluated perceived ED using a validated self-reported questionnaire in AwH participating in a cross-sectional study to describe CVD and CVD risk factors (HemoCardio Study). Male AwH aged ≥30-years attending a Northeastern Brazilian Hemophilia Treatment Center were invited. Demographic and clinical/therapeutic hemophilia data were collected from medical files. Clinical/therapeutic data about CVD and CVD risk factors were obtained by interview, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Perceived ED was evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function Domain (IIEF-6) instrument. Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated by HemoLatin-QoL and EQ-5D. Well-being was evaluated by the Hemophilia Well-Being Index (HWBI). For all questionnaires, higher scores meant better outcomes. A total of 84 AwH was included in the main study. Of the 52 AwH who responded to the IIEF-6, median age was 42.0-years (Interquartile Range [IQR] 36.0‒51.8), 43 (83%) had hemophilia A, and 25 (48%) were severe. Median IIFE-6 was 29.0 (IQR 25.3‒30.0) and 13 (25%) perceived ED. Perceived ED was associated with severe hemophilia (p = 0.025), lower HemoLatin-QoL total score (p = 0.010), and lower EQ-5D index (p = 0.038), but fairly associated with the use of anti-hypertensive (p = 0.043) and antidiabetic (p = 0.049). HWBI did not differ between AwH who perceived or did not ED. IIEF-6 had a positive correlation with the emotional functioning domain of the HemoLatin-QoL (n = 47, ϱ = 0.313, p = 0.032), but not with HemoLatin-QoL total score, EQ-5D index, or HWBI. We could not find associations between CVD or CVD risk factors and perceived ED among AwH. However, perceived ED correlated with QoL.