Recent studies have suggested that a relationship could exist between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency and erectile dysfunction (ED). The present study evaluated the relationship between 25(OH)D levels and ED in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The study included 98 patients with type 2 DM aged between 18-80 years. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire was administered. The patients were divided into three groups according to IIEF-5 scoring: IIEF-5 score between 5-10, severe ED; IIEF-5 score between 11-20, moderate ED; IIEF-5 score between 21-25, no ED. Biochemical parameters, 25(OH)D and hormonal analysis tests were obtained in all patients. All parameters were compared between these three groups. Of 98 patients included in the study, 32 had severe ED, 45 had moderate ED and 21 had no ED. The mean age was 55.12 ± 9.39 years and the mean 25(OH)D level was 13.69 ± 8.15 ng/ml. When the three groups were compared, 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in patients with the IIEF-5 score between 5-10 (p = 0.020). There was a moderate positive relationship between IIEF-5 score and 25(OH)D level (r = 0.21, p = 0.038). The patients with severe ED have considerably lower 25(OH)D levels.

This study found that the level of microalbuminuria was significantly higher in patients with 25-(OH) vitamin D deficiency compared to patients with 25-(OH) VD insufficiency.

We evaluated the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and IL‐6 levels in males with COVID‐19. The study included 80 male patients aged 30–45 years who were hospitalised due to COVID‐19. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐5) questionnaire was used to assess erectile function. The IIEF‐5 questionnaire was re‐administered at a 3‐month control visit after discharge, and the change score from baseline was recorded. The patients were divided into three groups according to the IIEF‐5 score at 3 months as Group 1 (severe ED), Group 2 (moderate ED) and Group 3 (no ED), and into two groups according to IL‐6 level at the time of admission as Group A (IL‐6 ≤ 50 ng/ml) and Group B (IL‐6 > 50 ng/ml). The change in the IIEF‐5 score (p < .001) was significantly greater in Group B than in Group A. There was also significant difference in IL‐6 between Group 1 and Group 2 (p = .008). The correlation analysis revealed a moderate correlation between IL‐6 level and the change in IIEF‐5 score and D‐dimer level (r:0.529, p < .001) and a weak correlation between IL‐6 level and FSH (r:0.309, p = .005). The present study suggests that elevated IL‐6 levels in male patients hospitalised due to COVID‐19 might be related to the risk of developing ED.