Effect of lifestyle changes on erectile dysfunction in obese men: a randomized controlled trial
Review of: Esposito K, Giugliano F, Di Palo C, Giugliano G, Marfella R, D'Andrea F, D'Armiento M, Giugliano D. JAMA 291 (24), 2978, June 2004
While good health and healthy lifestyle factors are associated with normal erectile function, this study investigated whether weight loss will improve erectile function in obese men with erectile dysfunction. In a randomized singleblinded intervention study 110 obese men (body mass index > 30), aged 35 to 55 years, without diabetes, hyperlipidemia or hypertension and an International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) < 21 were included. The control group was given general advice about a healthy lifestyle and exercise, the intervention group was given detailed dietary and exercise counselling and the aim of a 10% weight reduction. After two years, the intervention group achieved a 15.4% reduction in body mass index compared to 1.9% in the control group while the IEEF score improved significantly in the intervention group from 13.9 to 17 and remained unchanged in the control group. The change in body mass index was independently associated with an improvement in erectile function in multivariate analysis (p<0.02).
This study demonstrates a scientific basis for the recommendation that weight loss in obese men with erectile dysfunction should be attempted and can improve erectile function. However, the benefit although significant, is limited and only 30% of obese men in the intervention group in this study experienced by a clear improvement in IEEF-measured erectile function.
