Men with COVID-19 six times more at risk of developing erectile dysfunction: Study

Researchers undertook the recent study to investigate the prevalence of ED among subjects with a reported diagnosis of COVID‐19 and to measure the association of COVID‐19 and ED.

For the study design, the team reviewed data from the Sex@COVID online survey (performed between April 7 and May 4, 2020, in Italy) to retrieve a sample of Italian male sexually active subjects with reported SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. A matching sample of COVID‐19‐negative male sexually active subjects was also retrieved using propensity score matching in a 3:1 ratio. The survey used different standardized psychometric tools to measure effects of lockdown and social distancing on the intrapsychic, relational, and sexual health of Italian subjects.

Data analysis revealed the following results-

• One hundred subjects were included in the analysis (25 COVID‐positive; 75 COVID‐negative).
• The prevalence of ED, measured with the Sexual Health Inventory for Men, was significantly higher in the COVID+ group (28% vs. 9.33%; p = 0.027).
• Logistic regression models confirmed a significant effect of COVID‐19 on the development of ED, independently of other variables affecting erectile function, such as psychological status, age, and BMI [OR 5.66, 95% CI: 1.50–24.01].
• Likewise, subjects with ED were more likely to have COVID‐19, once corrected for age and BMI [OR 5.27, 95% CI: 1.49–20.09].

For full article follow the link: https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.13003

Primary source: Andrology