Frequency and Severity of Erectile Dysfunction in Men Hospitalized for COVID-19 in Colombia - Abstract
Introduction: Endothelial dysfunction caused by the coronavirus COVID-19 and the stress resulting from this disease can affect erectile function in men who
have had COVID-19 This could be worse in severe cases requiring intermediate or intensive care hospitalization.
Aim: To estimate the frequency of erectile dysfunction in men hospitalized for COVID-19 at a high-complexity clinic in Colombia.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study. Telephone surveys were conducted with men over 18 years of age who were hospitalized
for COVID-19. The International Index of Erectile Function – Erectile Function domain (IIEF-EF) and Erection Hard Score (EHS) questionnaires were applied, and
sociodemographic and clinical variables were evaluated. The frequency and severity of dysfunction were estimated based on the IIEF-EF questionnaire scores.
Outcome: Proportion of patients with an IIEF-EF score less than 26.
Results: 57 patients participated in the study, with 12 hospitalized in an intensive care unit and 45 in a low complexity unit. The estimated frequency
of erectile dysfunction was 31.6%. The highest percentage of cases of dysfunction was seen in the low-complexity hospitalization group. The percentage of
complications after COVID-19 was 75% in intensive care and 73% in low complexity, of which 10% reported depression and anxiety.
Clinical Implications: Erectile function can be affected in men with COVID-19 due to organic or psychological causes.
Conclusions: The frequency of erectile dysfunction in subjects of this study, hospitalized for COVID-19, is similar to that reported in populations with
different severity levels of this disease.