Pure hypertriglyceridemia might be associated with erectile dysfunction: a pilot study.

Introduction: Unlike the association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the association between ED and hypertriglyceridemia is still debatable. Aim. To study prevalence and severity of ED in young men with very high levels of triglycerides.

Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of ED, ED severity, total cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol levels, and triglycerides levels.

Methods: Men who were enrolled went through routine health checks including full lipid profiling and completion of the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire. Very high levels of triglycerides were defined as >or=500 mg/dL. Very high levels of LDL cholesterol were defined as >or=190 mg/dL. Men with diabetes, ischemic heart disease, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol >or=60 mg/dL, and mixed hyperlipidemias were excluded.

Results: Included were 88 men, aged 35.9 +/- 7.1 years (range: 25-51 years): 21 men with "pure" severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride levels >or=500 mg/dL and non-HDL cholesterol or=190 mg/dL and triglycerides
Conclusions: Prevalence of ED might be increased in young men with "pure" severe hypertriglyceridemia, though a larger cohort with a longitudinal follow-up is needed to prove that hypertriglyceridemia is an independent risk factor for ED.