Vascular and Chronological Age in Subjects with Erectile Dysfunction: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular age, as derived from the SCORE project algorithm for cardiovascular (CV) risk estimation, is an effective way for communicating CV risk. However, studies on its clinical correlates are scanty.

AIM: To evaluate if the difference between vascular and chronological age (Δage), in a population of subjects with erectile dysfunction (ED), can identify men with a worse risk profile.

METHODS: A consecutive series of 2,853 male patients attending the outpatient clinic for erectile dysfunction (ED) for the first time was retrospectively studied. Among them, 85.4% (n = 2,437) were free of previous MACE and were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Several clinical, biochemical, and penile color Doppler parameters were studied. Vascular age was derived from the SCORE project algorithm, and the Δage was considered.

RESULTS: Higher Δage is associated with several conventional (family history of CV diseases, hyperglycemia, elevated triglycerides, and increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome) and unconventional (severity of ED, frequency of sexual activity, alcohol abuse, lower education level, fatherhood, extramarital affairs, compensated hypogonadism, and low prolactin levels) risk factors. Δage is inversely related to penile color Doppler parameters, including flaccid and dynamic peak systolic velocity and flaccid acceleration (β = -0.125, -0.113, and -0.134, respectively, all P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: In subjects referring for ED without a personal history of CV events, Δage is associated with an adverse cardio-metabolic profile and worse penile color Doppler ultrasound parameters. Δage provides a simple method for identifying high-risk men that must undergo significant modification in their lifestyle and risk factors. In addition, it can be considered a simple, inexpensive, and safe surrogate marker of penile arterial damage.