Korean J Androl.  2007 Apr;25(1):15-20.

The Effect of Smoking on Penile Hemodynamics in Erectile Dysfunction

• Park HJ
• Chon WH
• Chung SG
• Park NC

Abstract

PURPOSE: Smoking is a known risk factor for lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and atherosclerosis. The link between smoking and erectile dysfunction(ED) has been supported from in vitro studies, animal studies, and epidemiological evidence. We evaluated the effect of smoking on penile hemodynamics in ED.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients aged 40~80 years who visited our urological institute for ED were enrolled. We performed a standard ED evaluation that included medical history, physical examination, and measurements of serum glucose, testosterone, and prolactin. We excluded ED patients with abnormal androgen profiles and patients with ED risk factors other than smoking. A total of 108 ED patients entered the study, including 51 current smokers, 24 non-smokers, and 33 ex-smokers. All patients then underwent extensive evaluation, including nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity(NPTR) monitoring with Rigiscan(R), and pharmacopenile Doppler ultrasonography for peak systolic velocity(PSV), and end diastolic velocity(EDV).
RESULTS
The average ages of the current smokers, non-smokers, and ex-smokers were 55.7+/-4.6, 53.7+/-3.9, and 56.5+/-4.3 years, respectively(p=0.07). Of current smokers, 78% had abnormal NPTR testing, compared with 64% of non-smokers and 67% of ex-smokers(p=0.04; current vs non-smokers, p=0.04; current vs ex-smokers). The average PSV for current smokers, non-smokers, and ex-smokers was 26.8+/-3.2, 31.2+/-4.5, and 29.7+/-4.4 cm/s, respectively(p=0.06; current vs non-smokers, p=0.07; current vs ex-smokers). The average EDV for current smokers, non-smokers, and ex-smokers was 5.9+/-2.7, 4.4+/-1.6, and 4.2+/-1.5 cm/s, respectively(p=0.04; current vs non-smokers, p=0.03; current vs ex-smokers). In the currently-smoking patients, there was no significant correlation between NPTR, PSV, or EDV and the amount or duration of smoking.
CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that dysfunction of penile veno-occlusive mechanism plays a substantial role in the development of ED in smokers.

Keyword

Erectile dysfunction; Smoking; Vasculogenic

MeSH Terms

Animals
Atherosclerosis
Blood Glucose
Cardiovascular Diseases
Erectile Dysfunction*
Hemodynamics*
Humans
Lung Neoplasms
Male
Penile Erection
Physical Examination
Prolactin
Risk Factors
Smoke*
Smoking*
Testosterone
Ultrasonography, Doppler
Prolactin
Smoke
Testosterone