Is erectile dysfunction a reliable indicator of general health status in men?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common risk factor in men and its incidence increases with age. Ageing and older men frequently have comorbidities such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and dyslipidaemia; likewise, they concurrently refer to a clinician for impairments in sexual function, mostly for ED. The association of ED and other organic, multi-organic or even systemic diseases is widely described, with a specific emphasis on the fact that they often share common pathophysiological factors and mechanisms. Thus we reviewed previous reports assessing the role of ED as a sentinel marker of overall men’s health.