Phosphorus as predictive factor for erectile dysfunction in middle aged men: A cross sectional study in Korea

PURPOSE High serum inorganic phosphorus level is related with atherosclerosis and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. At the same time, the association of phosphorus with erectile dysfunction (ED) is not well reported. We studied the effect of serum phosphorus on ED and the relationship with other clinical variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS From March to September 2013, 1,899 police men aged 40 to 59 years who entered in a prostate health screening were targeted. All subjects underwent a clinical checking using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire translated into Korean. Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), testosterone, inorganic phosphorus, body mass index, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and prostate ultrasound were also examined. RESULTS Serum inorganic phosphorus (r=-0.108, p<0.001) had the highest correlation coefficient with IIEF-5 score other than age, followed by prostate volume (PV) (r=-0.065, P<0.001). Using logistic regression analysis, age, phosphorus, and MetS were predictive factors for moderate to severe ED in univariate analysis. PSA, testosterone, body mass index, and PV could not predict ED. Age, MetS, and phosphorus were independent predictive factors of moderate to severe ED (p<0.001; odds ratio [OR], 1.119; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.086-1.153; p=0.048; OR, 1.283; 95% CI, 1.003-1.641; and p=0.048; OR, 1.101; 95% CI, 1.076-1.131) in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS In our study, phosphorus level is related with ED. Phosphorus is a significant predictor of ED and a strong factor that can be modified in the middle-age. Controlling phosphorus in men may have a particular meaning of preventing the occurrence of ED.