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Psychological features in men with erectile dysfunction with or without preclinical atherosclerosis

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 19, pages 597–601 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Psychological distress was assessed with a multidimensional self-report questionnaire (Symptom Check-List-90R) in 247 men complaining of erectile dysfunction (ED), with or without preclinical atherosclerosis. This was estimated by ultrasound determination of intima-media thickness (IMT) in common carotid arteries (CC). Psychological distress was reported in 31% of men and was more prevalent in those with a vascular damage. A higher level of obsessive–compulsive (OC) features was observed in men with high CC-IMT (P=0.0069; OR 3.18, CL 1.31–7.80). Among a large number of vascular risk factors, elevated CC-IMT and a severe ED resulted independently associated with an elevated level of OC features (OR 3.36, CL 1.38–8.15; OR 2.60, CL 1.01–6.70, respectively). Mental stress driven by OC features may link ED and vascular disease by activating reciprocal exacerbating mechanisms. Psychological distress identifies men at risk for cardiovascular disease that deserve a vigorous treatment of ED to reduce risk of vascular events.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca, Italy.

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Author notes

  1. R Mihalca, M Bocchio and F Pelliccione: These authors contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Centre of Andrology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy

    R Mihalca, M Bocchio, F Pelliccione, F Ciociola, F Francavilla & S Francavilla

  2. Centre of Epidemiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy

    S Necozione

  3. Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy

    A Rossi

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  1. R Mihalca
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Correspondence to S Francavilla.

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Mihalca, R., Bocchio, M., Pelliccione, F. et al. Psychological features in men with erectile dysfunction with or without preclinical atherosclerosis. Int J Impot Res 19, 597–601 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901586

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