Predictive factors of erectile dysfunction in Egyptian individuals after contracting COVID-19: A prospective case-control study

This study aimed to screen healthy individuals who contracted COVID-19 for erectile dysfunction (ED) and to determine the potential risk factors that can predict ED in these individuals. One hundred and seven cases versus 90 controls agreed to participate in the study. Two structured interviews with 1 month interval were conducted. All participants were evaluated by the validated Arabic version of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) and assessment of the psychological state by Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS). Interestingly, the study had demonstrated a significant difference in mean testosterone level between cases and controls (3.91 +/- 2.31, 5.04 +/- 2.22, p < 0.001 respectively). Additionally, the study had demonstrated a significant difference in mean IIEF-5 score between cases and controls (22.63 +/- 2.79, 23.54 +/- 1.26, p < 0.041 respectively). Moreover, there were significant differences in mean anxiety and stress scores of the cases before and after COVID-19 (4.95 +/- 4.03, 6.19 +/- 3.55, p = 0.022, 12.75 +/- 9.98, 15.30 +/- 7.42, p = 0.024 respectively). A multiple logistic regression model for predicting ED occurrence post-COVID-19 had revealed that smoking, baseline IIEF-5 score and COVID-19 severity (p = 0.022, p = 0.017, p = 0.021, p = 0.009, p = 0.008 respectively) were the only significant independent variables.

Automated summary

This study found that erectile dysfunction (ED) in individuals who contracted COVID-19 is associated with testosterone levels, erectile function scores, anxiety, stress, smoking, baseline ED scores, and COVID-19 severity.