Correlation between visceral fat metabolism score and erectile dysfunction: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2001-2004

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Dec 5:14:1283545. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1283545. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Backgrounds: The factors associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) are diverse, and obesity is a significant component. Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat (METS-VF) can assess obesity more accurately than body mass index (BMI). However, the association between METS-VF and ED remains unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between the METS-VF and ED using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2004 data.

Methods: Data were sourced from NHANES 2001-2004. The relationship between METS-VF and ED was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression, followed by subgroup analyses to identify sensitive populations. Nonlinear correlation was evaluated through smoothed curve fitting, and a threshold effect analysis validated the findings. Comparative logistic regression of the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve assessed the diagnostic capability of METS-VF against the classical obesity index for ED.

Results: The study enrolled 3625 participants, of whom 961 self-reported ED history and 360 reported severe ED. After adjusting for confounders, METS-VF exhibited a positive association with asthma prevalence (OR= 3.47, 95% CI: 2.83, 14.24). Stratification based on median METS-VF revealed higher ED prevalence in participants with elevated METS-VF (OR= 2.81,95% CI:2.32, 3.41). Nonlinear correlation was observed, with a significant association between METS-VF and ED when METS-VF exceeded 6.63. Subgroup analysis highlighted a stronger correlation in participants aged 50-85 years, Caucasians, hypertensive individuals, diabetics, and those with coronary heart disease. Sensitivity analysis using severe ED as the outcome reaffirmed the nonlinear positive association with METS-VF (OR=3.86, 95% CI:2.80,5.33), particularly when METS-VF surpassed 6.68.

Conclusion: Elevated METS-VF was nonlinearly correlated with increased ED incidence. Individuals with METS-VF above 6.63 should be vigilant about heightened ED risk. Special attention should be given to participants aged 50-85 years, Caucasians, hypertensive individuals, diabetics, and those with coronary heart disease.

Keywords: METS-VF; NHANES; cross-sectional studies; erectile dysfunction; visceral obesity.

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Disease*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Erectile Dysfunction* / epidemiology
  • Erectile Dysfunction* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.