Erectile dysfunction is an indication of impaired central hemodynamic in adults with type 1 diabetes without cardiovascular disease: a pilot study

Abstract Arterial stiffness (AS) and non-dipping pattern are early predictors of cardiovascular diseases but are not used in clinical practice. We aimed to assess if the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score could be a useful tool to predict AS and non-dipping pattern in subjects with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). The study group consisted of adults with T1DM. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV Ao), central systolic blood pressure, and pulse were measured with a brachial oscillometric device (Arteriograph 24). ED was assessed by the IIEF-5. A comparison between the groups with and without ED was performed. Of 34 investigated men with T1DM, 12 (35.3%) suffered from ED. The group with ED had higher mean 24h pulse (77.7 [73.7-86.5] vs 69.9 [64.0-76.8]/min; p=0.04, nighttime PWV Ao (8.1 [6.8-8.5] vs 6.8 [6.1-7.5]m/s; p=0.015) and prevalence of non-dipping SBP Ao pattern (11 [91.7] vs 12 [54.5]%; p=0.027) than individuals without ED. The presence of ED detected a central non-dipping pattern with a sensitivity of 47.8% and a specificity of 90.9%. ED is associated with a central non-dipping pattern, increased AS, and a mean 24h pulse among people with T1DM.