Vitamin D deficiency common in men with erectile dysfunction

(HealthDay)—For men with erectile dysfunction (ED), vitamin D deficiency is common, especially among those with arteriogenic etiology, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Alessandra Barassi, M.D., from the University of Milan, and colleagues examined the status of serum vitamin D among patients with ED. The etiology of ED was classified as arteriogenic (A-ED; 50 patients), borderline (28 patients), and non-arteriogenic (NA-ED; 65 patients).

The researchers found that the mean vitamin D level was 21.3 ng/mL, and 45.9 percent of patients had vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL). Vitamin D levels were significantly lower for patients with severe/complete ED versus mild-ED (P = 0.02). There was a negative correlation between vitamin level and parathyroid hormone, and the correlation was stronger in those with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly lower in A-ED versus NA-ED patients (P = 0.01). A-ED was more frequent in those with vitamin D deficiency versus those with vitamin D >20 ng/mL (45 versus 24 percent; P < 0.05).

"We suggest routine measurement of vitamin D in ED patients, with replacement therapy as required," the authors write.