(382) MALE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS RECOVERED FROM COVID-19: IS IT A PERSISTENT PROBLEM?

Abstract Objectives The current study aimed at investigating the occurrence of erectile dysfunction (ED) as a potential component of the Long Covid-19 Syndrome, and at addressing the relationship between ED and Covid-19 acute phase severity, and psychological and organic comorbidities. Methods Thirty-three men (median age 55 years) were recruited 145±48.6 days after a SARS-CoV-2-negative nasopharyngeal swab. Erectile function was assessed by International Index of Erectile Function 6(IIEF-6) questionnaire, and by basal(bPDU) and dynamic(dPDU) penile duplex ultrasonography, particularly including peak systolic velocity(PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV). Neuro-psychological symptoms were assessed by BDI, STAY, FSS, AES. Moreover, PDU parameters of 13 Covid-19 patients with IIEF-6-confirmed ED were compared to 13 control patients matched for age, IIEF-6 score and comorbidities. Results In the Covid-19 group 18/28(64.3%) patients were affected by ED at IIEF-6, 13(46.4%) had mild, 3(10.7%) moderate and 2(7.1%) severe ED. 11/32(34.4%) patients were affected by arteriogenic ED at bPDU and 10/21(47.6%) at dPDU, with 6(28.6%) mild-moderate and 4(19.0%) severe arteriogenic ED. IIEF-6 score was significantly lower in patients experiencing vs not experiencing myalgia during Covid-19 acute phase(22 vs 26; p=0.041). Mean dPSV was significantly lower (24.55±5.25 cm/s vs 32.13±5.40 cm/s; p=0.025) and prevalence of arteriogenic ED significantly higher [4/4(100%) vs 6/17(35.3%); p=0.035] in patients treated vs not treated for diabetes. EDV was negatively correlated with pO2(r=-0.762; p=0.028) and positively correlated with Chung score at chest CT(r=0.554; p=0.049). Conclusions The results of the current study demonstrated for the first time a high prevalence of ED, higher than that reported in the general population, in patients recovered from Covid-19, as assessed by IIEF-6 questionnaire and PDU. The current study also highlighted a potential contribution of tissue hypoxia in the Covid-19 acute phase to the veno-occlusive deficit of corpora cavernosa. Conflicts of Interest Nothing to declare.