[Medical and social implications of sexual dysfunction and safety of antihypertensive therapy in hypertensive patients]

Abstract

To determine the effect of valsartan on the androgen status and erectile function in hypertensive patients. 60 hypertensive patients of 40-65 years of age were included in the study. All patients filled in the questionnaire on aging male symptoms scale and international index of erectile function before and 3 months after the course of antihypertensive therapy. Patients of the first group received angiotensin II receptor antagonist (valsartan) as monotherapy. Valsacor was administered starting from the first 24 hours after destabilization of blood pressure, and the dose was titrated from 80 up to 160 mg/day. Traditional treatment of hypertension including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium antagonists, diuretics and beta-blockers was prescribed to controls. Valsacor treatment reduced the intensity of the symptoms of erectile dysfunction in hypertensive males (by 11,3 against 2,2% in the control group, p<0,05). In addition, this therapy led to a decrease in androgen deficiency symptoms (20,2 against 12,1%, respectively, p < 0,05). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduction was comparable in both groups. There was an increase in the number of "dippers" at valsacor treatment, while the number of other categories ("over-dipper", "non-dipper", "night-peaker") decreased (p<0,05). In the control group, circadian blood pressure profile was not changed. Thus, therapy with valsartan normalizes diurnal variations in blood pressure, reduces the symptoms of androgen deficiency and does not contribute to erectile dysfunction.