Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations in men with erectile dysfunction

Objectives. In 1994, the Massachusetts Male Aging Study presented the findi ng of an inverse correlation of the serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED). Prompted by the positive results of a pilot study on the treatment of ED with dehydroe piandrosterone (DHEA), we performed a detailed investigation on the serum D HEAS levels in men with ED according to age category. Methods. Inclusion criteria included a history of ED for more than 6 months , a body mass index less than 30, and a state of good general health. Serum DHEAS concentrations were determined in 309 patients with ED and 133 healt hy volunteers. All participants were carefully screened to assess medical f actors known or suspected to alter endocrine function. Questions 3 and 4 of the International Index of Erectile Function were used to evaluate erectil e function. Results. The mean serum levels of DHEAS in patients with ED were lower than in healthy volunteers until 60 years of age. The shape of the curve of the patients with ED indicated a quadratic decrease of DHEAS with age in contr ast to a more linear decrease of DHEAS with age in the control group. Conclusions, Our results suggest that until the age of 60 years, the mean s erum level of DHEAS is lower in patients with ED than in healthy volunteers . UROLOGY 55: 755-758, 2000. (C) 2000, Elsevier Science Inc.