A Novel Risk Calculator to Predict Erectile Dysfunction in HIV-Positive Men

Abstract

HIV infection is considered to be a lifelong medical condition, requiring follow-up and treatment for decades. HIV-positive men are reported to have erectile dysfunction more often than age-matched healthy controls, and improving sexuality is known to potentially improve overall health-related quality of life. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the presence of ED in HIV-positive men and the associated contributing factors and to create a statistical model to assess the risk to develop ED in this population. In a prospective study, we analyzed a group of HIV-positive men in a cross-sectional manner, looking at demographics, blood test results, and smoking habits. Data were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. In our series, the overall incidence of ED was 48.5%, increasing with age. Our analysis showed no correlation with blood sugar level, but a very strong correlation with total serum lipids. We were able to develop and validate a risk calculator for ED in HIV-positive men.

Male Erectile Dysfunction Problems in Healthcare Facilities in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

“…ED is the inability to attain or maintain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory vaginal intercourse (National Institute of Health, 1993). ED is strongly associated with increasing age, smoking, medication side effects, mental health issues, performance anxiety, sexually transmitted infection (Chirca et al, 2023;Luo et al, 2017;Olugbenga-Bello et al, 2013), low testosterone, prostate inflammation, prostate cancer, sedentary life and obesity and depression symptoms (Wang et al, 2017). Additionally, ED is also associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Amidu et al, 2010;Hurisa & Negera, 2020;Olugbenga-Bello et al, 2013;Oyelade et al, 2016;Wang et al, 2017;Yovwin et al, 2015).…”