Relationship Between Erectile Dysfunction and the Metabolic Syndrome

Corona, G

Erectile Dysfunction, Metabolic Syndrome, Testosterone

Data emerging from the last few years have questioned the specific role played by the metabolic syndrome (MetS) versus its single components in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED). The current video summarizes and critical analyzes available evidence from the first reports to a recently updated meta-analysis [1]. Data derived from a meta-analytic approach, including 25 studies and 18,237 subjects showed that MetS was associated with a significant increased risk of ED when either unadjusted or adjusted data were considered. However, fully adjusted models showed that MetS category did not provide better information when compared to the specific components considered in the algorithm [1]. Similar results have been reported for the possible relationship between MetS and long-term cardiovascular risk [2,3]. MetS is also associated with reduced testosterone levels, but its contribution to MetS-associated ED is limited [4]. Despite this evidence identifying and managing the individual MetS components remains crucial considering their pivotal role in determining ED.

Thank you to Kiki Mack for her editing of this video.

1. Corona DG, Vena W, Pizzocaro A, et al. Metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis study. J Endocrinol Invest. 2023 Nov;46(11):2195-2211.

2. Mottillo S, Filion KB, Genest J, et al. The metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010 Sep 28;56(14):1113-32.

3. Maseroli E, Corona G, Rastrelli G, et al. Prevalence of endocrine and metabolic disorders in subjects with erectile dysfunction: a comparative study. J Sex Med. 2015 Apr;12(4):956-65.

4. Chen BT, Tsai PJ, Jiann BP. Association of total testosterone levels with cardiometabolic diseases in men with erectile dysfunction. Sex Med. 2024 Dec;12(6):qfae089.