TY - JOUR
T1 - Risk of erectile dysfunction induced by arsenic exposure through well water consumption in Taiwan
AU - Hsieh, Fang I.
AU - Huang, Yi-Sheng
AU - Hsieh, Yi Chen
AU - Lo, Hsiu Chiung
AU - Su, Chien Tien
AU - Hsu, Hui Shing
AU - Chiou, Hung Yi
AU - Chen, Chien Jen
PY - 2008/4
Y1 - 2008/4
N2 - Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) has a profound impact on the quality of life of many men. Many risk factors are associated with ED, such as aging, sex hormone levels, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus. Arsenic exposure could damage peripheral vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between arsenic exposure and ED has seldom been evaluated. Objectives: In this study we aimed to investigate whether exposure to arsenic enhances the risk of ED. Methods: We recruited 177 males ≥ 50 years of age through health examinations conducted in three hospitals in Taiwan. We used a questionnaire (International Index of Erectile Function-5) to measure the level of erectile function. Sex hormones, induding total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin, were determined by radioimmunoassay. We used another standardized questionnaire to collect background and behavioral information (e.g., cigarette smoking, alcohol, tea, or coffee drinking; and physical activity). Results: The prevalence of ED was greater in the arsenic-endemic area (83.3%) than in the non-arsenic-endemic area (66.7%). Subjects with arsenic exposure > 50 ppb had a significantly higher rsk of developing ED than those with exposure ≤ 50 ppb, after adjusting for age, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease [odds ratio (OR) = 3.4]. Results also showed that the risk of developing severe ED was drastically enhanced by arsenic exposure (OR = 7.5), after adjusting for free testosterone and traditional risk factors of ED. Conclusions: Results suggested that chronic arsenic exposure has a negative impact on erectile function.
AB - Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) has a profound impact on the quality of life of many men. Many risk factors are associated with ED, such as aging, sex hormone levels, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus. Arsenic exposure could damage peripheral vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between arsenic exposure and ED has seldom been evaluated. Objectives: In this study we aimed to investigate whether exposure to arsenic enhances the risk of ED. Methods: We recruited 177 males ≥ 50 years of age through health examinations conducted in three hospitals in Taiwan. We used a questionnaire (International Index of Erectile Function-5) to measure the level of erectile function. Sex hormones, induding total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin, were determined by radioimmunoassay. We used another standardized questionnaire to collect background and behavioral information (e.g., cigarette smoking, alcohol, tea, or coffee drinking; and physical activity). Results: The prevalence of ED was greater in the arsenic-endemic area (83.3%) than in the non-arsenic-endemic area (66.7%). Subjects with arsenic exposure > 50 ppb had a significantly higher rsk of developing ED than those with exposure ≤ 50 ppb, after adjusting for age, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease [odds ratio (OR) = 3.4]. Results also showed that the risk of developing severe ED was drastically enhanced by arsenic exposure (OR = 7.5), after adjusting for free testosterone and traditional risk factors of ED. Conclusions: Results suggested that chronic arsenic exposure has a negative impact on erectile function.
KW - Arsenic exposure
KW - Calculated free testosterone
KW - Erectile dysfunction
KW - Sex hormone
KW - Total testosterone
KW - Arsenic exposure
KW - Calculated free testosterone
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U2 - 10.1289/ehp.10930
DO - 10.1289/ehp.10930
M3 - Article
C2 - 18414639
AN - SCOPUS:45749085277
SN - 0091-6765
VL - 116
SP - 532
EP - 536
JO - Environmental Health Perspectives
JF - Environmental Health Perspectives
IS - 4
ER -