The Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction and Its Association with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients after Myocardial Infarction.

Background and Objectives: This study estimates the prevalence and severity of erectile dysfunction and its association with cardiovascular risk factors in patients after a myocardial infarction. Materials and Methods: This study included men aged 35-80 years, diagnosed with myocardial infarction and examined in the Department of Preventive Cardiology of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos between 2016 and 2020. Anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure, lipid profile, blood glucose levels and prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 was used to assess patients' erectile function. Results: A total of 171 patients were analysed. The mean age was 57.6 ± 8.8 years. Of the patients, 42.1, 25.1 and 11.7% had three, four and five established cardiovascular risk factors, respectively. Of the patients, 100% were diagnosed with dyslipidaemia, 90.0%-arterial hypertension, 14.6%-diabetes, 23.3%-smoking, 43.7%-positive familial history and 54.5%-insufficient physical activity. The overall prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 62%. It was scored mild in 37.4%, mild-to-moderate-15.2%, moderate-5.3% and severe in 4.1% of the patients. The mean age was significantly different between severity groups (p < 0.001). The study demonstrated a negative correlation between age and total score of the questionnaire (r = -0.308, p < 0.001). Arterial hypertension was more frequent in the patients with erectile dysfunction (p = 0.02). Other cardiovascular risk factors were distributed similarly. Conclusions: Erectile dysfunction is common in patients after a myocardial infarction and its severity is age dependent. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is high, with arterial hypertension significantly more frequent in patients with erectile dysfunction.

Trends in cardiovascular risk factor prevalence among Lithuanian middle-aged adults between 2009 and 2018.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of the study was to estimate trends and differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor prevalence among middle-aged men and women based on the data from the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) primary prevention program between 2009 and 2018. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study included men aged 40-54 years and women aged 50-64 years without overt CVD. Nationally representative data comprised 110,370 Lithuanian adults (42.4% men and 57.6% women) examined in the period 2009-2018. Prevalences of major CVD risk factors, such as dyslipidaemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome and smoking, were assessed. RESULTS: The study showed a significant drop in the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and TC levels among men (p = 0.030 and p < 0.001) and no significant change among women (p = 0.594 and p = 0.799). The prevalence of AH significantly decreased in both gender groups (p < 0.001 in women and p < 0.001 in men). Obesity rates declined among women while it remained constant among men (p < 0.001 and p = 0.100 respectively). There was a significant decline among women and a significant increase among men in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001 and p = 0.016 respectively). The prevalence of diabetes increased until 2013, after which it started decreasing in the whole group (p = 0.005). The study showed a significant increase in the percentage of smoking women (p < 0.001), although the number of smoking men remained much higher (about 40%) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our observational study, we have documented a high prevalence of all CVD risk factors in 2009 with a slight decrease during the period in most prevalence rates, except in dyslipidaemia and smoking levels.

Trends in Cigarette Smoking among Middle-Aged Lithuanian Subjects Participating in the Primary Prevention Program between 2009 and 2016.

Background and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate trends in smoking among middle-aged men and women based on the data from the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) primary prevention program between 2009 and 2016. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study comprised 92373 Lithuanian adults (41.6% men and 58.4% women). We compared the prevalence of smoking, smoking cessation activity and smoking intensity by gender and age groups. Results: There was a statistically significant upward trend in the number of smoking subjects (average annual percent change (AAPC) 2.99%, p < 0.001). The number of smoking male subjects remained much higher than the number of smoking female subjects during the 2009-2016 period. The study showed a significant increase in the percentage of smoking quitters in the whole group (AAPC 7.22%, p < 0.001) and among men and women separately. There was no significant change in smoking intensity in groups of male and female smokers separately. Conclusions: The analysis showed that the prevalence of smoking in Lithuania is still increasing due to women smoking despite all the governmental tobacco control efforts to reduce it.