The Effect of Statins on Erectile Dysfunction: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials
Corresponding Author
John B. Kostis MD
Cardiovascular Institute, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Corresponding Author: John B. Kostis, MD, Cardiovascular Institute, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 125 Paterson Street, CAB-5200, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. Tel: (732) 235-7685; Fax: (732) 235-7039; E-mail: kostis@rwjms.rutgers.eduSearch for more papers by this authorJeanne M. Dobrzynski BA
Cardiovascular Institute, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
John B. Kostis MD
Cardiovascular Institute, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Corresponding Author: John B. Kostis, MD, Cardiovascular Institute, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 125 Paterson Street, CAB-5200, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. Tel: (732) 235-7685; Fax: (732) 235-7039; E-mail: kostis@rwjms.rutgers.eduSearch for more papers by this authorJeanne M. Dobrzynski BA
Cardiovascular Institute, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Search for more papers by this author
Abstract
Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common in older men, especially those with comorbidities such as diabetes and atherosclerotic disease, conditions where statins are frequently prescribed.
Aim
To examine the effect of statin therapy on ED using the five-item version of the International Inventory of Erectile Function (IIEF).
Methods
We performed a random-effects meta-analysis of studies identified by a systematic search of MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, the Cochrane Database, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Examination of the 186 retrieved citations resulted in the selection of 11 randomized trials for inclusion in the meta-analysis.
Main Outcome Measures
Change in the IIEF score.
Results
IIEF increased by 3.4 points (95% CI 1.7–5.0, P = 0.0001) with statins compared to control. This effect remained statistically significant after multiple sensitivity analyses, including analysis for publication bias, a cumulative meta-analysis, and 11 repeated analyses with each study omitted sequentially. The increase in IIEF with statins was approximately one-third to one-half of that previously reported with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and larger than the effect of lifestyle modification. Metaregression showed an increase in benefit with decreasing lipophilicity. The average age of participants and the degree of LDL cholesterol lowering did not alter the effect on IIEF.
Conclusion
Statins cause a clinically relevant improvement of erectile function as measured by the five-item version of the IIEF. Kostis JB and Dobrzynski JM. The effect of statins on erectile dysfunction: A meta-analysis of randomized trials. J Sex Med 2014;11:1626–1635.
Supporting Information
| Filename | Description |
|---|---|
| jsm12521-sup-0001-f1-3,ts1.docx81.1 KB |
Figure S1 Forest plot of the findings of 11 random model analyses with one study removed sequentially. Figure S2 Forest plot of cumulative meta-analysis by decreasing weight of the studies. Figure S3 Forest plot of the effect of statins on International Index of Erectile Function score (randomized and observational studies). Table S1 Search strategy. |
Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
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Kostis, J.B. and Dobrzynski, J.M. (2014), Effect of Statins on Erectile Dysfunction. J Sex Med, 11: 1626-1635. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12521
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