Gout linked to elevated risk of erectile dysfunction finds study

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.

Primary source: Rheumatology International

For the full article, click on the link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-019-04365-x