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| Authors | M Debono E Cachia A Cassar M Mallia N Calleja J Vassallo |
| Abstract | Aim: To study whether there is a significant association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in male patients suffering from Type 2 diabetes without evidence of overt cardiovascular disease and hypertension. The association of ED with left ventricular dysfunction was also assessed. Methods: Patients suffering from Type 2 diabetes were recruited from the Diabetes Clinic. These patients had no history of neurological, renal or thyroid disease and did not suffer from hypertension. An elective stress test was performed and those with a negative test were assessed for autonomic erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and left ventricular dysfunction. CAN was assessed using Expiratory:Inspiratory ratios, heart rate changes with the Valsava maneuver and with standing, and the systolic blood pressure response to standing. An echocardiogram was performed on each subject. Results: A total of 22 patients entered the final stage of the study. Sixteen patients were excluded from the study at the various stages. 27.3% were found to be suffering from CAN while 43.5% were suffering from erectile dysfunction. Using the Fishers Exact test it was found that in this sample there was no significant association between CAN and autonomic erectile dysfunction (p=1). 25% of patients with no erectile dysfunction had CAN, whilst 30% of patients with ED had CAN. Conclusion: Unlike previous studies these results show that autonomic ED is not always associated with CAN and one must not assume that all patients with autonomic ED are suffering from CAN. |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, diabetes, erectile dysfunction |