Background. It is known that vasculogenic disorders play a leading role in the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction. Cardiovascular risk factors that cause vascular pathologies are also the main actors among the causes of erectile dysfunction. The thickness of the carotid artery intima-media (CIMT) is useful for demonstrate cardiovascular disorders. For this reason, the relationship between CIMT and erectile dysfunction and its use in predicting the response to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5-I) are encountered in the literature. In this study, the investigators also evaluated the predictive value of CIMT in subgroups of patients according to the severity of erectile dysfunction. Methods. A total of 181 subjects were divided into two groups as patient group (n:150) and control group (n:31). The patients were also divided into subgroups as severe, moderate, mild-moderate, mild erectile dysfunction. Blood tests, carotid ultrasonography and The International Erectile Function Index-5 form (IIEF-5) were applied to all subjects. Tadalafil was administered to each patient. The patients were re-evaluated using the IIEF-5 questionnaire after 2 months of treatment period. According to response to medication, patients were also divided into subgroups as responders and non-responders. Results. Fasting blood glucose, BMI, IIEF score and CIMT were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group. The thickness of the carotid artery intima-media thickness was significantly correlated with IIEF-5 score. When the total patient group is evaluated, CIMT value of the responders was significantly lower compared to the non-responders. Carotid artery intima-media was significantly higher in nonresponders of patients with moderate/mild-moderate erectile dysfunction compared to responders, while there were no significant difference in CIMT between responders and non-responders of patients with severe/mild erectile dysfunction. Discussion. In patients with moderate/mild-moderate erectile dysfunction, increased CIMT is associated with an nonresponse to PDE5-I.
The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between degrees of erectile dysfunction and carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) and its effect on the medical treatment of this disease. Considering that there are vascular pathologies in the etiology, it is important to reveal vascular disorders with CIMT, which is a non-invasive, easily applicable method, and to use it in the grading and treatment of erectile dysfunction.