[Dehydroepiandrosterone and sexual function in men with chronic prostatitis].

The aim of this study was to determine relationships between the level of DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S), an erectile function and libido in men with chronic prostatitis. 53 patients (mean age 44.6 +/- 12.0; range 21-68 years) with chronic prostatitis were studied. Libido and erection were estimated and patients were divided into two groups according to their sexual dysfunction: 21 patients with severe sexual dysfunction (SSD) and 32 patients with mild sexual dysfunction (MSD). Testosterone, prolactin and DHEA-S were detected by ELISA. SSD patients had a lower testosterone level than patients with MSD (11.8 +/- 4.6 vs 14.8 +/- 5.9 nmol/l, respectively, p = 0.04) and DHEA-S (1.7 +/- 0.8 vs 2.5 +/- 1.2 microg/ml, respectively, p = 0.01). There was a negative correlation between the age of the patients and an erectile function (r = -0.70; p < 0.001), age and libido (r = -0.57; p < 0.001). The negative correlation was revealed between DHEA-S and age (r = -0.59; p < 0.001). A positive correlation was between DHEA-S and an erectile function (r = 0.45, p = 0.001). There was no correlation between DHEA-S and serum testosterone level (r = 0.10; p = 0.5). Multiple regression analysis showed an independent positive correlation between DHEA-S and erectile function in patients with chronic prostatitis (beta = 0.28; p = 0.02; R2 = 0.40). The findings show that erectile dysfunction independently from age is associated with a lower level of serum DHEA-S in patients with chronic prostatitis.