PURPOSE: The mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker of the platelet activity and is reported to increase in vascular diseases. We aimed to investigate the association between MPV and vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MPV and platelet (PLT) levels were measured in 50 cases of ED and 40 healthy controls. The diagnosis of vasculogenic ED was based on a detailed sexual history, physical examination, laboratory assessment, and color Doppler ultrasonography. The results are given as mean+/-standard deviation of the mean. RESULTS: The mean ages of the patient and the control groups were 53.70+/-12.39 years (range 24~77 years) and 53.85+/-9.5 years (range 30~73 years), respectively (p=0.947). The MPV and PLT values were significantly higher in the patients with ED than those of the controls (7.49+/-1.4), (6.85+/-1.2), (262.97+/-68), (252.89+/-82) respectively, p<0.001). However, the MPV values were not statistically significantly different in the patients with severe ED according to the International Index of Erectile Function than in those with mild ED, p>0.05), and there was no correlation between MPV and either age of patients (p=0.905) or duration of ED (p=0.583). CONCLUSIONS: The platelet count and MPV was detected to be increased in patients with vasculogenic ED. This finding suggests a role for platelets in the pathogenesis of vascular complications and that the MPV would be useful in monitoring disease progression.
Blood Platelets ; Diagnosis ; Disease Progression ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Female ; Humans ; Impotence, Vasculogenic ; Male ; Mean Platelet Volume* ; Physical Examination ; Platelet Count ; Risk Factors* ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Vascular Diseases