Why the Research Is Interesting: Atherosclerosis has been linked to causing ED in the majority of patients with this cardiovascular condition, but researchers have not had the means of demonstrating atherosclerosis in penile arteries. This first-of-its-kind study uses advanced imaging to detect how strong the association actually is.
How Research Was Conducted: Radiolabeled fluoride is commonly used to identify the spread of cancer to bones in patients suffering from prostate cancer. Fluoride uptake has also been observed in various vessels and is expected to localize in fat-rich regions with early calcification and hence has been considered to be a reliable indicator of atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease. When reviewing fluoride scans in 437 prostate cancer patients (from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center), researchers found an incidental uptake of fluoride in penile arteries which suggests atherosclerosis. Of 437 patients, 77% of the patients had prevalent ED, and 13% developed ED within the next year. The Odds Ratio of Prevalent or Incident ED was 25.2 for every 0.5-unit increment in fluoride uptake indicating atherosclerosis.
Study Conclusions: The study proves atherosclerosis can be a basis for ED. All patients in the study had prostate cancer and a prospective study will need to be done in a non-cancerous population with ED for more conclusive results.
**Note of Caution** – This study does not correlate prostate cancer patients with having a higher incidence of atherosclerosis/ED. This was simply the population tested for this particular study because of the access to imaging.
Paper Title: 18F-fluoride Positron Emission Tomographic Imaging of Penile Arteries in Men with Erectile Dysfunction
Quotes from Dr. Jagat Narula:
“The study demonstrates atherosclerosis to be the basis of ED. Since all patients in the study had prostate cancer, a prospective study will need to be done in normal population with ED for conclusive results.”Asked about the big picture, Dr. Narula says: “Risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as smoking, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high blood lipid levels, dietary indiscretion, and lack of exercise are closely associated with atherosclerosis, be it a coronary disease, or stroke. Now we see an association with erectile dysfunction. This calls for a healthier lifestyle."
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