The triad of erectile dysfunction, testosterone deficiency syndrome and metabolic syndrome: findings from a multi-ethnic Asian men study (The Subang Men's Health Study)

Aging Male. 2011 Dec;14(4):231-6. doi: 10.3109/13685538.2011.597463.

Abstract

The etiology of erectile dysfunction (ED) is multi-factorial. This paper examines the association between ED, testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in Malaysian men in an urban setting. One thousand and forty-six men aged ≥ 40 years from Subang Jaya, Malaysia were randomly selected from an electoral-roll list. The men completed questionnaires that included: socio-demographic data, self-reported medical problems and the International Index of erectile function (IIEF-5). Physical examination and the following biochemical tests were performed: lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and total testosterone. The response rate was 62.8% and the mean age of men was 55.8 ± 8.4 (41-93) years. Ethnic distribution was Chinese, 48.9%; Malay, 34.5%; Indian, 14.8%. The prevalence of moderate-severe ED was 20.0%, while 16.1% of men had TDS (< 10.4 nmol/L) and 31.3% of men had MS. Indian and Malay men were significantly more likely to have ED (p = 0.001), TDS (p < 0.001) and MS (p < 0.001) than the Chinese. Multivariate regression analysis showed that elevated blood pressure, elevated FBG, low high-density lipoprotein and heart disease were predictors of ED while all MS components were independently associated with TDS. Malay and Indian men have a higher disease burden compared to Chinese men and were more likely to suffer with ED, TDS and MS. MS components were closely related to TDS and ED.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Asian People / statistics & numerical data
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Erectile Dysfunction / blood
  • Erectile Dysfunction / epidemiology*
  • Erectile Dysfunction / etiology
  • Heart Diseases / complications
  • Humans
  • Hypertension
  • Lipids / blood
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / blood
  • Malaysia / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Men's Health
  • Metabolic Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Testosterone / deficiency*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Lipids
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Testosterone