Introduction

Sexual dysfunctions (SDs) have been associated with an overall decreased general health status, acquiring significant importance in young men. In this context, systemic inflammation has been considered as the link between SDs and the overall comorbidity status. We aimed to investigate the role of systemic inflammation in determining overall health status in men with SDs._x000D_

Methods

Complete demographic, clinical and laboratory data from 585 consecutive men seeking medical help for SD were analyzed. Health-significant comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). A complete blood count was requested and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte (LMR), and the platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were calculated for every individual. Three different logistic regression models tested the odds (OR, 95%CI) of decreased health status (defined as CCI > 0) after adjusting for age, BMI, erectile dysfunction (ED), cigarette smoking, and NLR in model 1, LMR in model 2, and PLR in model 3, respectively. The same models were implemented in young men (defined as < 40 years of age).

Results

Of all, 352 (60%) men had ED, 104 (18%) had premature ejaculation, 81 (14%) had Peyronie disease, and 100 (17%) had low sexual desire/interest. Overall, 183 (31%) men were below age 40. Men with CCI≥1 were older (median [IQR] age: 61 [53-68] vs. 43 [32-55]) and had higher BMI (26 kg/m2 [24-28] vs 24 [23-27]). After accounting for other variables known to be associated with reduced health status, NLR (OR [CI]: 1.21 [1.04; 1.4] in model 1), LMR (0.75 [0.64; 0.87] in model 2), and PLR (1.01 [1; 1.01] in model 3) emerged as independent predictors of decreased health status. NLR (1.15 [1; 1.33]), LMR (0.76 [0.65; 0.88], and PLR (1.01 [1; 1.03]) predicted decreased health status in young men as well.

Conclusions

Higher NLR and PLR, and lower LMR, increased the likelihood of decreased health status in a European-Caucasian sample of men with SDs. Of clinical relevance, systemic inflammation seems to play a role in determining health status even in young men.

Funding

none