Higher charlson comorbidity index is associated with increased risk of erectile dysfunction: evidence from NHANES data.

BACKGROUND

The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) quantifies multimorbidity, but its link to erectile dysfunction (ED) remains underexplored.

METHODS

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), our study investigated the association between CCI and ED. Our analysis involved weighted multivariate regression, subgroup analyses, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses, and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses.

RESULTS

Among the 2295 adults included in this study, 863 (37.6%) were diagnosed with ED. Weighted multivariate regression analyses revealed a significant positive association between the CCI and the risk of ED. Each additional point on the CCI was associated with a 32% higher risk of ED (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.18-1.47). Furthermore, when participants were categorized into two groups based on CCI scores (CCI = 0 and CCI ≥ 1), the risk of ED was notably higher for those with CCI ≥ 1, showing a 122% increased risk compared to those with CCI = 0 (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.62-3.05). Sensitivity analyses, including subgroup analyses and PSM, consistently supported the strong positive correlation between the CCI and ED.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicates that a higher CCI is positively correlated with an increased risk of ED, suggesting that lower CCI scores are associated with lower risk of ED.