Erectile dysfunction in patients under antihypertensive treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension (HT) and antihypertensive drugs can affect behavior, severity and response to treatment in erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: To determine the influence of antihypertensive drug treatment on erectile dysfunction behavior.

Method: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out, with 148 male patients attending the Therapy and Sexual Orientation Consultation in Santa Clara, Cuba. A sample of 63 patients between 20-60 years, hypertensive and with erectile dysfunction, receiving treatment for both diseases was taken. Data was obtained from reviewing medical records, sociodemographic variables, personal pathological history, drugs and erectile dysfunction severity (according to the International Erectile Function Index, IIFE) was analyzed.

Results: The highest number of patients with HT and erectile dysfunction were between 51-60 years (61.9%), 38.1% had diabetes mellitus and only 6.3% had a psychic illness diagnosis. 50.8% of the cases studied presented severe erectile dysfunction, and diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers were the most used drugs for HT treatment; though hydrochlorothiazide alone (p <0.038) or with atenolol (p <0.014) showed statistically significant differences.

Conclusions: The use of hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy or combined with atenolol in patients with HT was associated with the onset and severity of erectile dysfunction.