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. 2017 Jun 6;19(1):123.
doi: 10.1186/s13075-017-1322-0.

Gout and subsequent erectile dysfunction: a population-based cohort study from England

Alyshah Abdul Sultan  1 , Christian Mallen  2 , Richard Hayward  2 , Sara Muller  2 , Rebecca Whittle  2 , Matthew Hotston  3 , Edward Roddy  2
Affiliations

Gout and subsequent erectile dysfunction: a population-based cohort study from England

Alyshah Abdul Sultan et al. Arthritis Res Ther. .

Abstract

Background: An association has been suggested between gout and erectile dysfunction (ED), however studies quantifying the risk of ED amongst gout patients are lacking. We aimed to precisely determine the population-level absolute and relative rate of ED reporting among men with gout over a decade in England.

Methods: We utilised the UK-based Clinical Practice Research Datalink to identify 9653 men with incident gout age- and practice-matched to 38,218 controls. Absolute and relative rates of incident ED were calculated using Cox regression models. Absolute rates within specific time periods before and after gout diagnosis were compared to control using a Poisson regression model.

Results: Overall, the absolute rate of ED post-gout diagnosis was 193 (95% confidence interval (CI): 184-202) per 10,000 person-years. This corresponded to a 31% (hazard ratio (HR): 1.31 95%CI: 1.24-1.40) increased relative risk and 0.6% excess absolute risk compared to those without gout. We did not observe statistically significant differences in the risk of ED among those prescribed ULT within 1 and 3 years after gout diagnosis. Compared to those unexposed, the risk of ED was also high in the year before gout diagnosis (relative rate = 1.63 95%CI 1.27-2.08). Similar findings were also observed for severe ED warranting pharmacological intervention.

Conclusions: We have shown a statistically significant increased risk of ED among men with gout. Our findings will have important implications in planning a multidisciplinary approach to managing patients with gout.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Erectile dysfunction; Gout; Incidence rate.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Timing of ED reporting in relation to gout diagnosis compared to controls
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Timing of pharmacologically treated ED reporting in relation to gout diagnosis compared to controls
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Gicht begünstigt erektile Dysfunktion.
    Diehm C. Diehm C. MMW Fortschr Med. 2018 Apr;160(6):34. doi: 10.1007/s15006-018-0371-x. MMW Fortschr Med. 2018. PMID: 29619704 Review. German. No abstract available.

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