An objective correlation of specific haematological parameters with ED severity

The relationship between complete blood cell count-derived inflammatory biomarkers and erectile dysfunction in the United States

Erectile dysfunction(ED), a prevalent condition within the male genitourinary system, significantly impairs the quality of life for affected men. Although certain inflammatory indicators, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), and systemic immune-inflammation index(SII), have been linked to ED, the correlation with other markers and their impact on survival outcomes in ED patients remain largely unexplored. This research aims to investigate the correlation between inflammatory biomarkers derived from a complete blood cell count(CBC) and the occurrence of ED. Data regarding ED were extracted from the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES), and mortality events were ascertained through the National Death Index up to December 2019. The CBC-derived inflammatory indicators assessed in this study included the NLR, derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(dNLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio(MLR), neutrophil-monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (NMLR), SIRI, and SII. The prognostic significance of these CBC-derived inflammatory indicators was evaluated using random survival forests(RSF) analysis. Our study encompassed a cohort of 3,639 individuals, among whom 1,031 were diagnosed with ED. Among individuals with ED, 610 experienced all-cause mortality. Following adjustment for all confounding variables, it was observed that elevated levels of NLR(OR = 1.09, 95%CI 1.00-1.19, p = 0.021), MLR (OR = 2.97, 95% CI 1.18-7.50, p = 0.01), NMLR(OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.11, p = 0.006), and SIRI(OR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.22, p = 0.017) were associated with an increased prevalence of ED. Among participants with ED, those in the highest quartile of NLR(HR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.00-1.11, p = 0.032), MLR(HR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.33-3.01, p < 0.001), NMLR (HR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.11, p = 0.024), and SII(HR = 1.00, 95% CI 1.00-1.00, p = 0.015) exhibited an elevated risk of all-cause mortality compared to those in the lower levels of inflammation-derived indicators. Our research suggests that, compared with other inflammatory markers derived from complete blood cell count, MLR has the highest predictive power for the prevalence of ED and all-cause mortality in these populations.

The association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and erectile dysfunction: a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis

Considering that vascular endothelial cell dysfunction is the pathological basis of erectile dysfunction (ED), and recognizing the beneficial effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) on vascular endothelial cell protection, the researchers diligently investigated the causal relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and ED. However, inconsistent clinical evidence has left the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and ED unclear. The objective of this work was to employ Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to ascertain the potential causal relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and ED. We conducted a two-sample MR analysis utilizing data from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWASs). The primary analysis method for the MR analysis was the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, supplemented by the MR-Egger and weighted median methods. In addition, we evaluated heterogeneity with Cochran's Q test, assessed pleiotropy using the MR-Egger intercept test, and performed a leave-one-out analysis to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with potential effects. Outliers were detected using MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO). Genetically predicted serum 25(OH)D levels were not found to be causally associated with ED in IVW method (OR = 1.028, 95% CI = 0.845-1.250, P = 0.785), MR-Egger method (OR = 1.057, 95% CI = 0.782-1.430, P = 0.720), and weighted median method (OR = 1.225, 95% CI = 0.920-1.633, P = 0.165). The results of sensitivity analyses reinforced our conclusion, indicating no evidence of heterogeneity or directional pleiotropy. In summary, our findings do not substantiate a genetic-level causal link between serum 25(OH)D levels and the prevalence of ED. Nonetheless, future research, including larger MR studies, clinical trials, and additional observational studies, is essential to validate and reinforce the outcomes of our present study.

Association between polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and the prevalence of erectile dysfunction: A cross-sectional analysis of the NHANES 2001-2004

BACKGROUND

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have demonstrated significant therapeutic potential across a wide range of disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of PUFA intake on the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODS

The study included a total of 3730 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2004. Univariate analysis, multivariate regression analysis, subgroup analysis and machine learning were utilized to explore the relationship of variables to ED. Dose response curves were constructed to observe the linear or nonlinear relationship between PUFA intake and the prevalence of ED. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used for sensitivity analysis. Finally, the potential mechanistic link between PUFA intake and ED was explored.

RESULTS

Through univariate and multivariate regression analysis results before and after PSM and XGBoost algorithm model results, arachidonic acid (AA) was chosen as the main research object. The consumption of AA was found to be associated with a decreased prevalence of ED under the fully adjusted model [OR = 0.33 (0.20, 0.56), P < 0.001]. The interaction between AA and education was found in the subgroup analysis. Dose-response curves indicated a linear negative correlation between AA intake and the prevalence of ED. The above results were confirmed in the data analysis after 1:1 PSM. In addition, AA intake was associated with a decrease in inflammatory biomarkers and homocysteine.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that AA intake is negatively correlated with the prevalence of ED. Further, anti-inflammatory and anti-endothelial damage may play a role in this.