Does mean platelet volume (MPV) have a role in evaluation of erectile dysfunction and its severity?

Abstract

Purpose: The mean platelet volume (MPV) has important role in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases as a marker of the platelet activity. To investigate the association between mean platelet volume and erectile dysfunction (ED) and to search whether this marker can be used for diagnosis of ED.

Materials and methods: Of the 312 patients with ED of various degrees, 122 patients without ED (IIEF-5>21) were included in this prospective study. Severity of ED was determined according to IIEF-5 questionnaire. MPV, fasting serum glucose, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and serum testosterone levels are also recorded. The mean platelet volume was calculated by the Coulter counter technique and sexual function was determined by International Index of Erectile Function erectile function domain (IIEF-5).

Results: The mean age of patients was 58.4 years. The mean MPV value of patients with ED was significantly higher compared to the non-ED patients (8.91 vs. 8.22, p=0.0001). The severity of ED was shown to have a positive strong correlation with MPV values (r=0.719, p=0.001). Mean serum triglyceride, glucose, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were noted higher in patients with ED. MPV values were found to be significantly higher in patients with ED.

Conclusion: MPV level shows significant correlation with severity of ED. This cheap laboratory test can have potential to be a marker of ED. Further prospective larger studies with vascular wall thickness measurements should be conducted.

Keywords: Disfunción eréctil; Enfermedades vasculares; Erectile dysfunction; Mean platelet volume; Vascular diseases; Volumen plaquetario medio.