Erectile Dysfunction May Improve by Blood Pressure Control in Patients with High-Risk Hypertension

Association between β-blocker dose and quality of life after myocardial infarction: a real-world Swedish register-linked study

Background

β-blockers are routinely administered to patients following myocardial infarction (MI), yet their potential effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is not entirely understood. We investigated the relationship between two different doses of β-blockers with HRQoL following MI.

Methods and results

This nationwide observational study used Swedish national registries to collate sociodemographic, clinical, medication, and HRQoL {the latter operationalized using EuroQol [European Quality of Life Five Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D)]}. Estimates at 6–10 weeks and 12–14 months post-MI follow-up from pooled linear and logistic models were calculated after multiple imputation. We identified 35 612 patients with first-time MI, discharged with β-blockers, and enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation between 2006 and 2015. Upon discharge, patients were either dispensed <50% [24 082 (67.6%)] or ≥50% [11 530 (32.4%)] of the target dosage, as defined in previous trials. After adjusting for pre-defined covariates, neither the EQ-5D Index nor the Emotional Distress items were statistically different between groups. The EQ-VAS score was significantly lower in patients treated with ≥50% target β-blocker dose than those treated with <50% of the target dose [−0.87 [−1.23, −0.46], P < .001]. Results were similar at the 12-month follow-up and across sub-groups separated by sex and age.

Conclusion

No difference in HRQoL was found among patients taking <50% vs. ≥50% of the target β-blocker dose, except for the EQ-VAS in which higher scores were reported in those taking a lower dose. The clinical meaningfulness of this statistical significance is likely low.

Update of the position paper on arterial hypertension and erectile dysfunction

: Sexual health is an integral part of overall health, and an active and healthy sexual life is an essential aspect of a good life quality. Cardiovascular disease and sexual health share common risk factors (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, and smoking) and common mediating mechanisms (endothelial dysfunction, subclinical inflammation, and atherosclerosis). This generated a shift of thinking about the pathophysiology and subsequently the management of sexual dysfunction. The introduction of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors revolutionized the management of sexual dysfunction in men. This article will focus on erectile dysfunction and its association with arterial hypertension. This update of the position paper was created by the Working Group on Sexual Dysfunction and Arterial Hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension. This working group has been very active during the last years in promoting the familiarization of hypertension specialists and related physicians with erectile dysfunction, through numerous lectures in national and international meetings, a position paper, newsletters, guidelines, and a book specifically addressing erectile dysfunction in hypertensive patients. It was noted that erectile dysfunction precedes the development of coronary artery disease. The artery size hypothesis has been proposed as a potential explanation for this observation. This hypothesis seeks to explain the differing manifestation of the same vascular condition, based on the size of the vessels. Clinical presentations of the atherosclerotic and/or endothelium disease in the penile arteries might precede the corresponding manifestations from larger arteries. Treated hypertensive patients are more likely to have sexual dysfunction compared with untreated ones, suggesting a detrimental role of antihypertensive treatment on erectile function. The occurrence of erectile dysfunction seems to be related to undesirable effects of antihypertensive drugs on the penile tissue. Available information points toward divergent effects of antihypertensive drugs on erectile function, with diuretics and beta-blockers possessing the worst profile and angiotensin receptor blockers and nebivolol the best profile.

Erectile dysfunction and adherence to antihypertensive therapy: Focus on β-blockers

The management of arterial hypertension is very challenging in everyday clinical practice. Blood pressure control rates remain disappointingly low, despite intense efforts. Poor adherence to antihypertensive treatment is among the main causes of inadequate blood pressure control. Among the various parameters leading to poor adherence, medication adverse events seem to be the prevailing cause of treatment discontinuation. Β-blockers are a class of drugs commonly used in the management of hypertension. However, β-blockers use has been associated with various adverse events, among which, erectile dysfunction is a prevalent one. Accumulating evidence supports the detrimental role of β-blockers on erectile function. Older studies have shown contradictory findings, which however may be attributed to methodological errors related with the assessment of erectile function. More recent studies, however, unveiled the negative impact of this drug category on erectile function. Nevertheless, β-blockers represent a class of drugs with substantial within class heterogeneity. Nebivolol presents a unique mode of action through enhanced nitric oxide bioavailability that may be associated with benefits on erectile function. Indeed, studies of nebivolol have shown improvement in erectile function, suggesting that nebivolol represents the only exception in this class of drugs in terms of erectile function.

Ionic Channels as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Erectile Dysfunction: A Review

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition, especially in men over 40 years old, characterized by the inability to obtain and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Several psychological and/or organic factors are involved in the etiopathogenesis of ED. In this context, we gathered evidence of the involvement of Large-conductance, Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BKCa), Small-conductance, Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SKCa), KCNQ-encoded voltage-dependent K+ channels (KV7), Transient Receptor Potential channels (TRP), and Calcium-activated Chloride channels (CaCC) dysfunctions on ED. In addition, the use of modulating agents of these channels are involved in relaxation of the cavernous smooth muscle cell and, consequent penile erection, suggesting that these channels are promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Understanding Erectile Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients: The Need for Good Patient Management

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as a man’s consistent or recurrent inability to attain and/or maintain penile erection enough for successful vaginal intercourse. ED affects a large part of the population, increasing its incidence with age and comorbidities. It is estimated by the year 2025, 322 million men will suffer from ED. Incidence of ED has been related not only to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, psychiatric diseases or urinary tract diseases, but also to hypertension and especially to antihypertensive treatments. This review summarizes current knowledge about the management of ED in hypertensive men and its role as cardiovascular disease predictor.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a common condition. Many men do not self-report erectile dysfunction symptoms; thus, physicians must ask about sexual health and function to elicit concerns. Although the impact of untreated erectile dysfunction on quality of life should prompt physicians to ask about symptoms, so should the presence of cardiac and metabolic disease. Diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is made in the primary care office, and patients may be treated with oral, intraurethral, or intracavernosal medications; vacuum devices; or penile prosthesis. Treatment should be guided by patient preference with a goal of improving quality of life and mitigating chronic disease risk.

Tighter Blood Pressure Control Is Associated with Lower Incidence of Erectile Dysfunction in Hypertensive Men

INTRODUCTION

Tighter blood pressure control is widely thought to be associated with better erectile function, although the preponderance of data is limited to dichotomous representations of hypertension without an attempt to look at degree of blood pressure control.

AIM

To determine the association between optimal blood pressure control over time and the development of erectile dysfunction (ED) in a cohort of potent men.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of newly diagnosed hypertensive men without major medical comorbidities in an integrated healthcare system. Patients were stratified by exposure to hypertension, with varying levels of blood pressure control, as measured by ordinal categories of systolic blood pressure and deviation from the mean systolic pressure.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of ED was defined by at least 2 primary care or urology diagnoses of ED in our electronic health records within 2 years, at least 2 filled prescriptions for ED medications within 2 years, or 1 diagnosis of ED and 2 filled prescriptions for ED medications.

RESULTS

We identified 39,320 newly diagnosed hypertensive men. The overall incidence for ED was 13.9%, with a mean follow-up of 55.1 ± 28.7 months. Higher average systolic blood pressure was associated with a higher risk of ED in a dose-dependent manner (trend test, P < .001). Wide variation in blood pressure control was associated with a higher incidence of ED (OR [95% CI]; 1.359 [1.258-1.469]) and a shorter time to the development of ED (log rank, P < .0001).

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

We believe these data may serve as a motivator for hypertensive men to better adhere to their hypertension treatment regimen.

STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS

The retrospective nature of our study precludes us from drawing more than an association between tighter blood pressure control and ED. Strengths of our study include the large sample size, community cohort, and completeness of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Among adults diagnosed with hypertension, tighter blood pressure control, as measured by average systolic blood pressure and deviation from the average, is associated with a lower incidence and a longer time to the development of ED. Hsiao W, Bertsch RA, Hung Y-Y, et al. Tighter Blood Pressure Control Is Associated with Lower Incidence of Erectile Dysfunction in Hypertensive Men. J Sex Med 2019;16:410-417.

Sexualıty and marıtal adjustment ın women wıth hypertensıon ın Turkey: how culture affects sex

This study examined the relationship between sexual dysfunction and marital adjustment in women with hypertension and the effect of the cultures on the sexual problems of women. Mixed method was used in this study. The study was conducted as quantitative (in descriptive type) to examine sexual dysfunction and marital adjustment in women with hypertension and as qualitative to examine the effect of culture on the views of individuals on sexual problems. The study included 102 women who met inclusion criteria (who were on medication and had active sexual life for 1 year). Patient information form, Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (Female), and Marital Adjustment Test (MAT) were used to collect the data. The mean age of the subjects was found to be 55.10 ± 9.13, the mean duration of hypertension diagnosis was 8.66 ± 6.43, and the mean time to start was 7.87 ± 6.30. The mean duration of marriage for the women with hypertension was 34.08 ± 12.507. There was a negative correlation between sexual orientation, orgasm and sexual satisfaction from the subscales of ASEX and the overall scale (p < 0.05). Accordingly, as the adaptation in marriage diminished, sexual problems increased in women. As a result of the study, it was determined that HT had a negative effect on sexual functioning problems and marital adjustment, but women accepted this situation because of their culture, "women do not have the right to sexuality" and naturally accept the absence of sexuality after a certain age.

Erectile dysfunction in the elderly male

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a health problem which mainly effects elderly men and this problem has become a more important health problem with the increased life expectancy. The basic risk factors of ED are hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerotic heart disease which also have a higher incidence in the elderly men. The aim of this review article is to highlight the age-related changes in ED together with recommendations for patient evaluation and treatment.

Modifying Risk Factors in the Management of Erectile Dysfunction: A Review

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is prevalent among men and its presence is often an indicator of systemic disease. Risk factors for ED include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), tobacco use, hyperlipidemia, hypogonadism, lower urinary tract symptoms, metabolic syndrome, and depression. Addressing the modifiable risk factors frequently improves a patient's overall health and increases lifespan. The literature suggests that smoking cessation, treatment of hyperlipidemia, and increasing physical activity will improve erectile function in many patients. How the treatment of DM, depression, and hypogonadism impacts erectile function is less clear. Clinicians need to be aware that certain antihypertensive agents can adversely impact erectile function. The treatment of men with ED needs to address the underlying risk factors to ameliorate the disease process.

Erectile dysfunction and coronary heart disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This narrative review discusses the associations of erectile dysfunction with coronary heart disease (CHD) morbidity and mortality, all-cause death and CHD risk factors. Treatment strategies for erectile dysfunction are also mentioned.

RECENT FINDINGS

Erectile dysfunction shares common pathways and risk factors with vascular diseases. Erectile dysfunction has been reported to independently predict CHD events, thus highlighting its role as a marker of early atherosclerosis. Erectile dysfunction prevalence may be followed by the presentation of CHD symptoms in 2-3 years, and a CHD event may occur in 3-5 years. Furthermore, erectile dysfunction has been associated with stroke, peripheral artery disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease as well as with several CHD risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, smoking, obesity, metabolic syndrome, hyperuricaemia, arterial stiffness and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. On the basis of these data, erectile dysfunction may be regarded as a part of polyvascular disease.

SUMMARY

Patients with erectile dysfunction are at an increased risk for CHD morbidity and/or mortality as well as for all-cause death. Clinicians should monitor patients with erectile dysfunction by assessing their vascular risk and preventing or adequately treating CHD risk factors. In this context, lifestyle interventions should be recommended in addition to drug treatment to attain better outcomes.

Gout is associated with organic and psychogenic erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Gout is a deposition disease with an inflammatory response that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Gout is stressful for affected individuals, and can cause erectile dysfunction (ED). The objective of this study was to identify the association between gout and psychogenic ED (PED) and organic ED (OED).

METHOD

We analyzed 35,265 patients from the National Health Insurance Research Database who had been diagnosed with gout between 2000 and 2011. A total of 70,529 matched controls were included in the study as a comparison. Patients with a history of PED and OED occurring before the index date, aged less than 20 years, or with incomplete demographic information were excluded. Control patients were selected from the population of people without a history of gout, PED, or OED. The following risk factors for PED and OED were included as covariates in the multivariable models: age, comorbidities of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral arterial disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression and anxiety.

RESULT

Men with gout were more likely to have an increased risk (1.21 times) of ED than were those without gout. Patients with gout were 1.52 times more likely to develop OED and 1.18 times more likely to develop PED than patients in the control group. The risk of developing ED was greater for patients with comorbidities of CKD, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Gout is associated with organic and psychogenic ED. Clinical physicians should consider this association when treating patients with gout.

A Review of Nebivolol Pharmacology and Clinical Evidence

Nebivolol is a highly selective β1-adrenergic receptor antagonist with a pharmacologic profile that differs from those of other drugs in its class. In addition to cardioselectivity mediated via β1 receptor blockade, nebivolol induces nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation by stimulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase via β3 agonism. This vasodilatory mechanism is distinct from those of other vasodilatory β-blockers (carvedilol, labetalol), which are mediated via α-adrenergic receptor blockade. Nebivolol is approved for the treatment of hypertension in the US, and for hypertension and heart failure in Europe. While β-blockers are not recommended within the current US guidelines as first-line therapy for treatment of essential hypertension, nebivolol has shown comparable efficacy to currently recommended therapies in lowering peripheral blood pressure in adults with hypertension with a very low rate of side effects. Nebivolol also has beneficial effects on central blood pressure compared with other β-blockers. Clinical data also suggest that nebivolol may be useful in patients who have experienced erectile dysfunction while on other β-blockers. Here we review the pharmacological profile of nebivolol, the clinical evidence supporting its use in hypertension as monotherapy, add-on, and combination therapy, and the data demonstrating its positive effects on heart failure and endothelial dysfunction.

Long-term treatment of clonidine, atenolol, amlodipine and dihydrochlorothiazide, but not enalapril, impairs the sexual function in male spontaneously hypertensive rats

This study was designed to investigate the impact of representative antihypertensive drugs of 5 classes on the sexual function in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at doses that achieved similar blood pressure (BP) reduction. The experiment was performed in 6 groups of male SHR. The dose are 20 μg/kg/day for clonidine, 3 mg/kg/day for enalapril, 20 mg/kg/day for atenolol, 2 mg/kg/day for amlodipine, and 10 mg/kg/day for dihydrochlorothiazide. SHR were treated for 3 months, and then the penile erection and sexual behavior were detected. After BP recording, SHR were killed to evaluate the organ-damage, weight of accessory sex organs and levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone in serum. Five drugs had the similar efficacy on BP reduction. All drugs except of enalapril, significantly prolonged the mount latency, and decreased the mount frequency (P<0.05). Clonidine also reduced the conception rate (45% vs. 80% in control group, P<0.05). Amlodipine and dihydrochlorothiazide significantly increased the testosterone level (0.79±0.30, 0.80±0.34 vs. 0.49±0.20 in control group, unit: ng/dl, P<0.05). Enalapril, atenolol and amlodipine also significantly decreased the BP variability (systolic, 8.2±2.5, 7.6±1.8, 8.9±2.0 vs. 12.2±3.8 in control group, unit: mm Hg). All these drugs significantly decreased the organ-damage (P<0.05). In conclusion, long-term treatment with 5 common antihypertensive drugs possessed obvious organ protection in SHR. Clonidine, atenolol, amlodipine and dihydrochlorothiazide, but not enalapril, impair sexual function.

Resistant hypertension and associated comorbidities in a veterans affairs population

Resistant hypertension (RH) is understudied and its reported prevalence varies with study populations. The authors sought to determine its prevalence and association with certain comorbid conditions in a Veterans Affairs population. This cross-sectional study utilized demographic and clinical data from 17,466 patients. Chi-square or t test was used for comparing groups with and without RH. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent associations. Overall, the prevalence of RH was 9%, and 13% of all hypertensive patients met criteria for RH. After adjusting for confounding variables, RH was significantly associated with older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.007), higher body mass index (OR, 1.04), Framingham score (OR, 1.14), and coexisting coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accident/transient ischemic attack, peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and metabolic syndrome (OR, 1.3, 1.32, 1.29, 2.88, 2.13, 1.2, 1.12, and 1.2, respectively; all P<.05). Our results indicate a complex interplay of certain comorbid conditions among patients with RH and suggest the need for multifaceted interventions in this high-risk population to prevent cardiovascular events.