Heart Rate Variability in Men with Erectile dysfunction

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and its relationship to the autonomic nervous system in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Psychological stress and its two stress response systems, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS), are closely related to psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED). However, the analyses of perceived stress and stress systems in pED patients need to be more in-depth, especially the interactions between them.

METHODS

Our study included 75 patients with pEDs and 75 healthy men. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were used for assessing the severity of ED and perceived stress. All participants collected saliva samples on three consecutive days at eight specific times with strict reference to the time of morning awakening for measuring cortisol parameters and wore electrocardiography for 24 h to derive heart rate variability (HRV).

RESULTS

The PSS-10 scores of pED patients were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001). Although PSS-10 and IIEF-5 scores were negatively correlated in pED patients, there was no statistical significance between them (r=-0.049, p=0.677). Compared with the control group, the HRV parameters of pED patients were significantly increased in LF/HF ratio (p=0.014) but significantly decreased in LF, HF, and pNN50 (p<0.001). However, the two groups had no statistically significant differences in cortisol variables (all p>0.05). The interaction between sympathovagal modulation (HF, rMSSD) and cortisol awakening response (CAR AUCi) explained significantly greater variance in perceived stress than either stress system alone. Higher parasympathetic activity combined with a higher cortisol awakening response was associated with greater perceived stress.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that the interrelation between ANS and HPA axis activity might enhance our comprehension of how stress affected the physical and mental health of pED patients.

Evaluation of psychological stress, cortisol awakening response, and heart rate variability in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome complicated by lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Mental stress and imbalance of its two neural stress systems, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, are associated with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the comprehensive analyses of psychological stress and stress systems are under-investigated, particularly in CP/CPPS patients complicated by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and ED.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants were 95 patients in CP/CPPS+ED group, 290 patients in CP/CPPS group, 124 patients in ED group and 52 healthy men in control group. The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) were used for assessing the disease severity of CP/CPPS, LUTS and ED. Psychometric self-report questionnaires including the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Type A Personality Test (TAPT) and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were completed for distress from physical symptoms. Twenty-five subjects per group were randomly selected for further investigating the changes of the HPA axis and ANS. Saliva samples were taken on 3 consecutive days at 8 specific times with strict reference to time of morning awakening for evaluation of free cortisol. Heart rate variability (HRV) as marker of the ANS was measured using 24 h electrocardiography, and time-and frequency-domain variables were analyzed.

RESULTS

The BAI and SCL-90 scores were significantly higher in the CP/CPPS+ED, CP/CPPS and ED groups compared with the control group (p < 0.01). The PSS scores of both groups with ED were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.01). Compared with the CP/CPPS group, the differences of PSS, SCL-90 and TAPT scores were statistically significant in CP/CPPS+ED patients (p < 0.01). The IPSS scores were shown to have significantly positive correlations with BAI (r = 0.32, p < 0.0001), PSS (r = 0.18, p < 0.01) and SCL-90 (r = 0.19, p < 0.01) in the CP/CPPS patients. However, in all subjects, the IIEF-5 scores were shown to have significantly negative correlations with BAI (r = -0.17，p < 0.001), PSS (r = -0.25，p < 0.0001), SCL-90 (r = -0.20，p < 0.001) and quality of life score in NIH-CPSI (r = -0.14，p = 0.0075). Cortisol awakening response (CAR) parameters and diurnal cortisol levels did not significantly vary between the four groups. Time-dependent parameters of HRV also did not differ significantly across groups. In the frequency domain analysis, low frequency (LF) was significantly lower in ED patients when compared with CP/CPPS+ED patients (p = 0.044) and healthy controls (p = 0.005), high frequency (HF) power was significantly higher in healthy controls compared to patients with ED (p < 0.001), CP/CPPS (p < 0.001) and CP/CPPS+ED (p < 0.001), and the CP/CPPS+ED group had significantly higher LF/HF ratio than the control group (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

CP/CPPS and ED patients score exceedingly high on most psychosocial variables. The symptom scores of LUTS and ED positively correlate with the severity of psychological stress. Our findings also suggest that the ANS sympathovagal imbalance is associated with ED and LUTS in CP/CPPS, whereas HPA axis activity is not.

Sexual dysfunction among males and females with bipolar disorder and healthy subjects: The burden of illness severity

OBJECTIVES

Sexual dysfunction has wide-ranging impacts on the person's functioning and quality of life, being associated with higher severity of psychiatric illnesses and poor therapeutic response. Given the paucity of data on this topic in bipolar disorder (BD), we investigated sexual functioning among males and females with BD and healthy controls (HCs) as well as whether illness severity markers and subthreshold mood symptoms were associated with sexual dysfunctions in BD patients.

METHODS

The study included 80 BD outpatients and 70 HCs. Sexual functioning was evaluated using the validated, gender-specific Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ-14).

RESULTS

BD patients had a significantly poorer sexual functioning than HCs (p < 0.00001). The odds of sexual dysfunction doubled given a one-unit increase in the number of suicide attempts (adjusted OR = 2.01, 95% CI:1.23-3.55; p < 0.01) and increased by 60% for every additional hospitalization (p < 0.05). Greater illness duration was associated with arousal/orgasmic (p < 0.05) and overall sexual dysfunctions (p < 0.01). BD patients with more mixed or (hypo)manic episodes had a lower likelihood of libido loss and arousal/orgasmic disturbances (p < 0.01), respectively. Higher levels of subthreshold depressive symptoms increased by 20% the odds of sexual interest/frequency dysfunctions (p < 0.05), and up to 60% regarding orgasmic disturbances (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual functioning may be a useful proxy of illness severity as well as a relevant dimension to more deeply characterize BD patients. Further studies are warranted to replicate our findings, to evaluate temporal associations between sexual dysfunctions and illness severity across the BD mood and treatment spectrums and to explore neurobiological underpinnings of these associations.

Short Sleep Duration and Erectile Dysfunction: A Review of the Literature

The meaning of sleep has puzzled people for millennia. In modern society, short sleep duration is becoming a global problem. It has been established that short sleep duration can increase the risk of several diseases, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Currently, a growing body of research has revealed a possible link between sleep disorders and erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the mechanisms linking short sleep duration and ED are largely unknown. Thus, we provide a review of clinical trials and animal studies. In this review, we propose putative pathways connecting short sleep duration and ED, including neuroendocrine pathways and molecular mechanisms, aiming to pave the way for future research. Meanwhile, the assessment and improvement of sleep quality should be recommended in the diagnosis and treatment of ED patients.

Relationship between heart rate recovery index and erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVE:

Heart rate recovery (HRR) is a cardiac parameter that can be used to evaluate autonomic nervous system (ANS) function problems. We examined the possible relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and HRR which is a clinical condition associated with ANS dysfunction.

METHODS:

Seventy-six male patients that were examined with an exercise stress test and completed the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire Form (IIEF-5) were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as those with a normal HRR index (≥12, n=42) and those with an abnormal HRR index (<12, n=34). Then, statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the correlations between ED and HRR.

RESULTS:

There were no differences between the groups in terms of risk factors, such as laboratory findings, age, BMI, hypertension, and smoking. However, in the group with an abnormal HRR index, the IIEF-5 score was significantly lower than the other group (11.2±4.2 vs. 20.3±4.6, p<0.001). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the IIEF-5 score and HRR index (r=0.702, p<0.001). In addition, the presence of diabetes mellitus and HRR index was independent risk factors for lowering the IIEF-5 score.

CONCLUSION:

The HRR index can be considered as an independent predictor of ED since a reduced value, which is associated with cardiovascular mortality and also causes ANS dysfunction.

Heart Rate Variability and Erectile Function in Younger Men: A Pilot Study

Erectile dysfunction (ED) in younger men is an increasing concern. In middle aged and older men, ED was related to lower resting heart rate variability (HRV), but research in younger men is lacking. The present study examined, in a nonclinical sample of 105 men between 18 and 39 years, the association of ED with several parameters of resting HRV. Scores of the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) below 22 were considered as indicating ED. Eighteen men (17.1%) reported ED (mild in 16, mild to moderate in 2). Welch's tests revealed that ED was associated with lower low-frequency power (LF), lower high-frequency power (HF), lower standard deviation of interbeat intervals, and lower standard deviation of the heart rate, which is influenced by both sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. After removing outliers, ED was unrelated to HF. In younger men, erections might be facilitated by a combination of higher parasympathetic tone and relatively higher sympathetic tone in the heart, as indicated by LF and greater standard deviation of the heart rate, a largely overlooked parameter in HRV research.

Attitude towards sexuality and sexual behaviors among men with heart rhythm disorders

AIM

Symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias and the perception of the implantation of a cardiac pacemaker can negatively affect mental health including sexuality and sexual behaviors. The aim of this study was to assess the attitude towards sexuality and sexual behaviors among men with cardiac arrhythmias.

METHODS

The study included 80 men (aged 58.6 ± 9.23 years) with heart rhythm disorders who had qualified for cardiac pacemaker implantation. The International Index of Erectile Function IIEF-15 was completed at least one day before cardiac pacemaker implantation by all of the patients.

RESULTS

The average results of the IIEF for all of the included patients was 41.87 ± 7.57 and were statistically worse in the population with atrioventricular blocks (39.60 ± 7.79) compared to those with sinus node dysfunction (44.15 ± 6.71) (p = .0110). The same relationships were found in the subcategory of orgasmic function (p = .0108) as well as intercourse satisfaction (p = .0111). Erectile dysfunction occurred in 88.75% of the patients with diagnosed arrhythmias. There was no statistically significant difference between the occurrence of erectile dysfunction in patients with sinus node dysfunction (87.5%) compared to patients with atrioventricular blocks (90%); p = .7236.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that sexuality and sexual behaviors among men with cardiac arrhythmias was found to be statistically worse in the population with atrioventricular blocks compared to those with sinus node dysfunction. It was especially marked in the area of orgasmic function as well as for intercourse satisfaction.

P wave dispersion in patients with erectile dysfunction

Background and aims

P wave dispersion (PWD) has been reported to be a non-invasive electrocardiographic predictor for atrial fibrillation. The aim of this study is to evaluate PWD between men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and healthy controls in order to investigate whether PWD was prolonged in patients with ED and related to severity of the disease.

Methods

This study included a total of 72 men (42 patients with ED and 30 healthy controls). Demographic data and clinical features were recorded on admission. An electrocardiographic evaluation was obtained to measure PWD values for both patients and controls.

Results

Maximum P wave duration was 108.5 ± 4.7 and 108.3 ± 4.3 in ED group and control group, respectively (p = 0.748). Minumum P wave duration was significantly higher in the control group than in the ED group. PWD was 48.1 ± 5.9 in the ED group. As a result, PWD was prolonged in patients with ED (48.1 ± 5.9 vs. 38.0 ± 3.9, p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between IIEF score and PWD values (p < 0.05, r = −0.662).

Conclusions

Patients with ED exhibited prolonged PWD values compared with normal controls. In addition, PWD was found to be associated with severity of the disease.

Accuracy of the Garmin 920 XT HRM to perform HRV analysis

Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is widely used to investigate autonomous cardiac drive. This method requires periodogram measurement, which can be obtained by an electrocardiogram (ECG) or from a heart rate monitor (HRM), e.g. the Garmin 920 XT device. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the accuracy of RR time series measurements from a Garmin 920 XT HRM as compared to a standard ECG, and to verify whether the measurements thus obtained are suitable for HRV analysis. RR time series were collected simultaneously with an ECG (Powerlab system, AD Instruments, Castell Hill, Australia) and a Garmin XT 920 in 11 healthy subjects during three conditions, namely in the supine position, the standing position and during moderate exercise. In a first step, we compared RR time series obtained with both tools using the Bland and Altman method to obtain the limits of agreement in all three conditions. In a second step, we compared the results of HRV analysis between the ECG RR time series and Garmin 920 XT series. Results show that the accuracy of this system is in accordance with the literature in terms of the limits of agreement. In the supine position, bias was 0.01, - 2.24, + 2.26 ms; in the standing position, - 0.01, - 3.12, + 3.11 ms respectively, and during exercise, - 0.01, - 4.43 and + 4.40 ms. Regarding HRV analysis, we did not find any difference for HRV analysis in the supine position, but the standing and exercise conditions both showed small modifications.

A Place for Sexual Dysfunctions in an Empirical Taxonomy of Psychopathology

Sexual dysfunctions commonly co-occur with various depressive and anxiety disorders. An emerging framework for understanding the classification of mental disorders suggests that such comorbidity is a manifestation of underlying dimensions of psychopathology (or "spectra"). In this review, we synthesize the evidence that sexual dysfunctions should be included in the empirical taxonomy of psychopathology as part of the internalizing spectrum, which accounts for comorbidity among the depressive and anxiety disorders. The review has four parts. Part 1 summarizes the empirical basis and utility of the empirical taxonomy of psychopathology. Part 2 reviews the prima facie evidence for the hypothesis that sexual dysfunctions are part of the internalizing spectrum (i.e., high rates of comorbidity; shared cognitive, affective, and temperament characteristics; common neural substrates and biomarkers; shared course and treatment response; and the lack of causal relationships between them). Part 3 critically analyzes and integrates the results of the eight studies that have addressed this hypothesis. Finally, Part 4 examines the implications of reconceptualizing sexual dysfunctions as part of the internalizing spectrum, and explores avenues for future research.

Heart Rate Variability: A Risk Factor for Female Sexual Dysfunction

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of autonomic nervous system activity, which reflects an individual's ability to adapt to physiological and environmental changes. Low resting HRV has been linked to several mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and alcohol dependence (Kemp et al. in Biological Psychiatry 67(11):1067-1074, 2010. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.12.012; Kemp et al. in PloS One, 7(2):e30777, 2012; Quintana et al. in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 132(1-2):395-398, 2013. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.02.025). HRV has also been used as a method for indexing the relative balance of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity to parasympathetic nervous system activity. This balance--in particular, moderately dominant SNS activity--has been shown to play a significant role in women's genital sexual arousal in the laboratory; however, the role of SNS activity in clinically relevant sexual arousal function is unknown. The present study assessed the feasibility of using HRV as an index of women's self-reported sexual arousal function outside the laboratory. Sexual arousal function, overall sexual function, and resting HRV were assessed in 72 women, aged 18-39. Women with below average HRV were significantly more likely to report sexual arousal dysfunction (p < .001) and overall sexual dysfunction (p < .001) than both women with average HRV and women with above average HRV. In conclusion, low HRV may be a risk factor for female sexual arousal dysfunction and overall sexual dysfunction.

The Association of Erectile Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Critical Review

Despite strong association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), there is a paucity of clear clinical guidelines detailing when and how to evaluate for ED in patients with known CVD, or vice versa. This systematic review discuss the role of cardiologists and urologists in the characterization of risk and management of CVD in the setting of ED, as well as contrasting the current evaluation of CVD and ED from the standpoint of published consensus statements. A comprehensive literature review utilizing MEDLINE®, the Cochrane Library® Central Search, and the Web of Science was performed to identify all published peer-reviewed articles in the English language describing ED and CVD across various disciplines. There is strong consensus that men with ED should be considered at high risk of CVD. Available risk assessment tools should be used to stratify the coronary risk score in each patient. The 2012 Princeton III Consensus Conference expanded on existing cardiovascular recommendations, proposing an approach to the evaluation and management of cardiovascular risk in men with ED and no known CVD. This systematic review highlights the similarities and differences of the existing clinical guidelines and recommendations regarding assessment and management of ED and CVD, as well as the pathophysiological linkage between ED and CVD, which may permit physicians, including urologists, to perform opportunistic screening and initiate secondary prophylaxis with regard to cardiovascular risk factors, particularly in young, nondiabetic men with ED.

Chronotropic Incompetence and Dynamic Postexercise Autonomic Dysfunction Are Associated with the Presence and Severity of Erectile Dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Exercise stress testing (EST) is crucial to determine cardiovascular (CV) risk in men with erectile dysfunction (ED). Low exercise workload, a slower rate of recovery following exercise, and an impaired capacity to increase heart rate (HR) during exercise testing (chronotropic incompetence) are independent predictors of adverse CV outcomes. Aim of this study was to investigate the association between ED and EST parameters.

METHODS

A total of 180 ED patients and 50 men without ED underwent maximal EST. Exercise parameters including exercise capacity (metabolic equivalents, METS), peak exercise time, HR at six METS, peak exercise, HR recovery (HRR) at 1 and 2 minutes and chronotropic index (CI) were evaluated in all individuals. Endothelial function was evaluated with flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery.

RESULTS

ED patients had lower peak exercise time and thus lower calculated exercise capacity (P < 0.001) and reduced CI (P < 0.01) compared to men without ED. There was a significant association of ED severity with duration of exercise, peak workload, HRR 2 minutes after exercise, and CI (all P < 0.05). There also was a positive relation of HRR and CI with FMD (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows interrelationships between exercise capacity, HRR, CI, and ED. Abnormal HRR and CI are associated with systemic endothelial dysfunction. These findings imply pathophysiological links and may have important implications for the estimation of cardiovascular risk in ED patients.

Heart rate recovery, cardiac rehabilitation and erectile dysfunction in males with ischaemic heart disease

Objective:

Heart rate recovery (HRR) is a recognised marker used in clinical practice for assessing the risk of sudden cardiac death. Physical exercise leads to an improvement in HRR and has a proven beneficial effect on erection quality (EQ) related to the activity of the autonomic nervous system in men with ischaemic heart disease (IHD). This paper evaluates the relationship between HRR and EQ in patients with IHD and erectile dysfunction (ED) who underwent cardiac rehabilitation.

Methods:

The main analysis was based on the Mann–Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman correlation coefficient, Pearson’s chi-square test, chi-square test, with the Yates correction and (if possible) parametric tests were used. This prospective, non-randomised intervention study included 124 men with IHD and ED [International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scores of ≤21]. Of these, 89 patients underwent a 6-month cardiac rehabilitation phase III programme, whereas 35 did not. The results of the participants’ total IIEF-5 scores and their HRR, demographic and clinical data were analysed.

Results:

The results of the 89 rehabilitated patients (mean age: 60.44±9.29 years) and 35 controls (mean age: 61.43±8.81 years) were analysed. In the rehabilitated patients, the mean baseline IIEF-5 score was 13.15±5.76 (95% CI: 11.93–14.36) and HRR was 16.49±7.68/min (95% CI: 14.88–18.11). After cardiac rehabilitation, the parameters of ED and HRR improved significantly and were significantly higher than those of the controls; the mean IIEF-5 score of the rehabilitated group increased to 15.36±6.51 (95% CI: 13.99–16.73), while HRR increased to 21.40±7.25/min (95% CI: 19.88–22.93). A significant correlation was found between ∆HRR and ∆EQ (r=0.409791) as a result of the 6-month cardiac training programme

Conclusion:

Cardiac rehabilitation assessed by HRR has a sizable effect on autonomic balance in patients with IHD and ED, which plays a significant role in the mechanism of erection improvement.

Alpha-Blocker Treatment Response in Men With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Based on Sympathetic Activity: Prospective, Multicenter, Open-Labeled, Observational Study

Purpose:

In this study, we compared the treatment outcomes for an α-blocker between 2 groups of men, one with high sympathetic activity (HSA) and another with low sympathetic activity (LSA) or normal sympathetic activity.

Methods:

A total of 159 men (≥50 years of age) with lower urinary tract symptoms resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia were analyzed. We assigned patients to groups according to their sympathetic activity, which was evaluated by heart ratevariability measurements. HSA was defined as a low frequency/high frequency ratio greater than 1.6. All patients received 10mg of alfuzosin once a day for 12 weeks. The primary end point was a change in the total International Prostate SymptomScore (IPSS) at 12 weeks from baseline.

Results:

Sixty-seven men were assigned to the HSA group and 92 men were assigned to the LSA group. The baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the 2 groups, and the response to alfuzosin was good in both groups. Themean total IPSS change was not different between the groups. Both groups were not significantly different with respect to the changes in maximal flow rate, IPSS voiding or storage symptom subscores, quality of life, and rates of adverse drug events. TheHSA group showed a similar willingness to continue treatment compared to the LSA group, although their treatment satisfaction rating was lower.

Conclusions:

The therapeutic effects of alfuzosin did not differ in regards to the differences in sympathetic activity, but treatment satisfaction ratings were lower in the HSA group.

Cardiovascular function and predictors of exercise capacity in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) often present with dyspnea and fatigue. These are also frequent symptoms in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that similar patterns of cardiovascular perturbations are present in CRC and CHF.

METHODS

We prospectively studied 50 patients with CRC, 51 patients with CHF, and 51 control subjects. The CRC group was divided into 2 subgroups: patients who underwent chemotherapy (n = 26) and chemotherapy-naive patients (n = 24). We assessed exercise capacity (spiroergometry), cardiac function (echocardiography), heart rate variability (Holter electrocardiography), body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), and blood parameters.

RESULTS

Compared with the control arm, the left ventricular ejection fraction (CRC group 59.4%; control group 62.5%) and exercise performance as assessed by peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) (CRC group 21.8 ml/kg/min; control group 28.0 ml/kg/min) were significantly reduced in CRC patients (both p < 0.02). Markers of heart rate variability were markedly impaired in CRC patients compared with control subjects (all p < 0.008). Compared with the control group, the CRC group also showed reduced lean mass in the legs and higher levels of the endothelium-derived C-terminal-pro-endothelin-1 (both p < 0.02). Major determinants of cardiovascular function were impaired in chemotherapy-treated patients and in the chemotherapy-naive patients, particularly with regard to exercise capacity, left ventricular ejection fraction, lean mass, and heart rate variability (all p < 0.05 vs. control subjects).

CONCLUSIONS

Some aspects of cardiovascular function are impaired in patients with CRC. More importantly, our findings were evident independently of whether patients were undergoing chemotherapy.

Nicotine acutely inhibits erectile tumescence by altering heart rate variability

OBJECTIVE

To examine potential mechanisms underlying nicotine's effects on male sexual arousal by exploring the mediating role of heart rate variability (HRV).

METHODS

The sample comprised 22 healthy, nicotine-naïve men (mean age = 20.91 years; standard deviation = 2.43). Data were taken from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial previously completed and published elsewhere. During each laboratory visit, time-domain parameters of HRV (standard deviation of normal-to-normal [NN] intervals, square root of the mean squared difference of successive NN intervals, and percent of NN intervals for which successive heartbeat intervals differed by at least 50 ms [pNN50]) along with the objective (via penile plethysmography) and subjective indices of sexual arousal were assessed.

RESULTS

Acute nicotine ingestion (compared with placebo) was associated with dysregulated sympathovagal balance, which in turn was related to relatively reduced erectile tumescence. HRV did not mediate relations between nicotine intake and self-reported indices of sexual arousal.

CONCLUSION

HRV mediated the association between nicotine ingestion and erectile capacity. Findings suggest that dysfunctional cardiac autonomic tone may be an underlying mechanism by which nicotine exerts its deleterious effects on erectile health.

Concurrent relations among cigarette smoking status, resting heart rate variability, and erectile response

INTRODUCTION

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a marker of sympathovagal balance; it has been implicated in erectile function and is also altered by tobacco use. Furthermore, smoking and erectile health are strongly related, given that smokers are at increased risk for erectile dysfunction. Few studies have explored the interrelationships between smoking, HRV, and erectile function concurrently.

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine potential mechanisms underlying tobacco's effects on penile hemodynamics by exploring the mediating role of HRV.

METHODS

The sample comprised 119 men (smokers = 64; nonsmokers = 55) (mean age 28.90 years; standard deviation (SD) 11.68; range 18-58) selected from the control conditions of three previously published experiments. Participants were free from a history of cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarct, and/or cardiac/cardiovascular medication use. During a laboratory visit, self-report, anthropometric, cardiovascular, and electrocardiographic data were assessed, as well as sexual arousal responses elicited from viewing an erotic film.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Objective sexual arousal indices (circumferential change via penile plethysmography), self-reported erectile function (per the erectile function domain score of the International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF-EF]), and time- (SD of beat-to-beat intervals) and frequency-domain parameters of HRV (ratio of low-frequency [LF] power to high-frequency [HF] power [LF/HF ratio]) were assessed.

RESULTS

Being a current long-term cigarette smoker was associated with dysregulated sympathovagal balance (higher LF/HF ratios, indicative of sympathetic nervous system dominance), which in turn showed inverse relations with magnitude of erectile tumescence. HRV did not mediate relations between tobacco use and either IIEF-EF scores or resting penile circumference.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that dysfunctional cardiac autonomic tone may be an underlying mechanism by which tobacco exerts its deleterious effects on erectile health. Further research is necessary to determine whether this relationship is mechanistic in nature, or whether it is better explained by other health factors.

The relationship between resting heart rate variability and erectile tumescence among men with normal erectile function

INTRODUCTION

Individuals with erectile dysfunction (ED) have been shown to display lower heart rate variability (HRV), suggesting dysregulation of cardiac autonomic function. No studies have explored whether HRV is predictive of erectile response among men with clinically normal erectile function.

AIM

The study aims to examine associations between resting HRV and objective measures of genital response (i.e., resting penile circumference; erectile tumescence) and self-reported sexual function.

METHODS

The sample comprised 59 male community volunteers (mean age = 20.15 years; SD = 2.52) selected from the control conditions of two previously published studies. Participants reported erectile function in the normal range (scoring ≥ 26 on the International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF]) and had no history of cardiovascular disease or myocardial infarct. During a laboratory visit, self-report, anthropometric, cardiovascular, and electrocardiographic data were assessed, as well as resting penile circumference and erectile tumescence in response to viewing an erotic film.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Resting penile responses, erectile tumescence (circumferential change via penile plethysmography), self-reported sexual function per the IIEF, and both time-domain (standard deviation of beat-to-beat [NN] intervals, square root of the mean squared difference of successive NN intervals, and percent of NN intervals for which successive heartbeat intervals differed by at least 50 msec [pNN50]) and frequency-domain (low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], LF/HF ratio) parameters of HRV were assessed.

RESULTS

Higher-resting HF power and lower-resting LF/HF ratio were associated with greater erectile tumescence. There were marginally significant positive associations between mean NN interval and pNN50 and penile tumescence. HRV was not associated with self-reported sexual function or with resting penile circumference.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggested that, among men without ED, relatively elevated parasympathetic tone was predictive of larger erectile tumescence. Limited variance in sexual function scores may have accounted for the lack of association between HRV and IIEF scores.

The difference of lower urinary tract symptoms between sympathetic hyperactive and hypoactive men

Purpose

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a tool used to measure autonomic nervous function; however, there is no evidence that it can be used to define sympathetic hyperactivity in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We suspected that LUTS would differ between sympathetic hyperactive and hypoactive patients. Therefore, we measured HRV and divided the LUTS patients into two groups, a sympathetic hyperactive group and a sympathetic hypoactive group according to the low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio and made clinical comparisons between the groups.

Methods

A total of 43 patients with symptomatic LUTS (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] over 8) and 49 healthy volunteers were enrolled. No subjects had diseases that could affect the autonomic nervous system, such as diabetes or hypertension. Electrocardiographic signals were obtained from subjects in the resting state and HRV indexes were calculated with spectral analyses. We divided the LUTS patients into two groups by an LF/HF ratio of 1.9, which was the median value in the healthy volunteers, and compared the differences in clinical characteristics, IPSS, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) results. The parameters were compared by independent sample t-test by use of SPSS ver. 19.

Results

There were no significant differences in age, serum PSA, or volume of the prostate between the 2 LUTS groups. However, analyzing IPSS questionnaires between two groups showed that there were significant differences in mean of Q2 score (frequency) and storage symptom score ([Q2+Q4+Q7]/3) (P<0.05).

Conclusions

We suggest that an imbalance of autonomic nervous system activity may be a factor that evokes varieties of symptoms in men with LUTS. LUTS patients with hypoactive sympathetic tone may suffer from frequency and storage symptoms.

What do most erectile dysfunction guidelines have in common? No evidence-based discussion or recommendation of heart-healthy lifestyle changes and/or Panax ginseng

Sexual health or erectile dysfunction (ED) state of the art guidelines provide a thorough overview of conventional prescription or other notable extrinsic treatment options. Yet, over the past 10-15 years, a plethora of international researchers have established that individual and comprehensive lifestyle changes can prevent and potentially improve ED. We review the lifestyle evidence that should equate to grade A or level 1 evidence recommendations for ED. We also review the evidence for Panax ginseng, an over-the-counter (OTC) dietary supplement with a 35-year history of laboratory investigations, multiple positive randomized trials over approximately 15 years and several independent meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Perhaps it is time to at least discuss and even emphasize lifestyle and other non-conventional interventions in ED guidelines so that patients can explore a diversity of potentially synergistic choices with their physicians and can improve their quality and quantity of life. Ignoring the consistent, positive data on lifestyle modifications in ED guidelines, for example, is tantamount to ignoring diet and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of or ameliorate cardiovascular diseases.