Correlation between the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation and sexual function after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Abstract

Introduction: The published studies discussing the prognostic factors for expected sexual function after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) are still limited.

Aim: Examining the correlation between the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) and the abridged form of International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF-5), as a quick and inexpensive tool for the cardiologist to predict the sexual function after CABG.

Main outcome measures: Validated standardized questionnaire commonly used by cardiologists in identifying appropriate weight to various risk factors related to adult cardiac operations.

Methods: Preoperatively patients were evaluated as regards to the sexual function by (IIEF-5) and pharmaco-penile duplex ultrasound. Moreover all patients were evaluated bu EuroSCORE. Six months after surgery, the erectile function of all patients was revaluated according to the same preoperative procedures. The patients were categorized with EuroSCORE as follows: The low-risk group (EuroSCORE 0–2), the medium-risk group (EuroSCORE 3–5), and the high-risk group (EuroSCORE 6 plus).

Results: The EuroSCORE was negatively correlated with the IIEF-5 score (r = -0.224, P = 0.025 or rs = -0.259, P = 0.009). Moreover, low-risk patients had significantly higher IIEF-5 scores compared with medium-risk patients (mean standard deviation = 15.27 6.03 vs. 12.18 6.07, P < 0.05).

Conclusions: There is an inverse correlation between the components of EuroSCORE and the IIEF-5 score. Patients with higher EuroSCORE had lower IIEF-5 scores and vice versa. The EuroSCORE is a useful, quick, and inexpensive tool that allows prediction of ED in those patients with coronary artery disease patients who are undergoing CABG.