Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2025.64.03.04

Erectile Dysfunction and Vitamin D Serum Concentration Associated Only in Diabetics

Bojan Sudarević orcid.org/0000-0003-1677-090X ; Department of Urology, University Hospital Center Osijek, Croatia; Department of Surgery, Urology, Orthopedics and Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia *
Sanja Mandić ; Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Center Osijek, Croatia; Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia
Vesna Horvat orcid.org/0000-0001-9554-4278 ; Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Center Osijek, Croatia; Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia
Željko Debeljak orcid.org/0000-0002-1789-5387 ; Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Center Osijek, Croatia; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia
Vatroslav Šerić ; Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Center Osijek, Croatia; Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia
Hrvoje Kuveždić ; Department of Urology, University Hospital Center Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia
Lada Zibar ; Department of Nephrology, Clinic for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Recently, erectile dysfunction (ED) has become more prevalent, with many risk
factors being linked to this condition. We measured vitamin D (VD) serum concentration in 32 ED
patients and 28 controls to test the hypothesis that ED patients have lower VD, which was based upon
previous links between ED risk factors and VD deficiency. Exclusion criteria were postoperative, anatomical
or neurogenic ED, prostate cancer and lower urinary tract symptoms. Erectile function was
assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire. VD sampling was performed
during winter months, thus avoiding seasonal variations in cutaneous VD production. Median
VD was 8.36 ng/mL. Two subjects were VD insufficient, while all other subjects were VD deficient.
There was no difference in VD concentration between ED patients and controls. However, patients
with both diabetes and ED had lower VD levels than all other subjects. Controls had higher levels of
parathyroid hormone (PTH) than ED patients, although the levels were within the normal reference
range. PTH was an independent risk factor, lowering ED risk by 4% with every unit increase. Overall,
no association between VD and ED was found, except in patients with both diabetes and ED, who
had lower VD levels compared to all other subjects. PTH might have a protective effect on erectile
function.

Keywords

vitamin D; parathyroid hormone; IIEF-5 questionnaire; erectile dysfunction; vitamin D deficiency

Hrčak ID:

342592

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/342592

Publication date:

30.9.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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