Causal associations between COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction: a Mendelian randomization study

Abstract

Objective In this study, we aimed to explore the potential association between COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, severe COVID-19, and erection dysfunction (ED) using the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method. Methods Data pertaining to COVID-19 were extracted from the latest version of the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analyses (Round 7, April 2022), and outcome data were obtained from the Open GWAS database. We applied various MR analysis methods, including the inverse variance weighted method, weighted median method, and MR-Egger regression. Results Our investigation revealed a negative causal association between COVID-19 hospitalization and ED (total testosterone levels: beta = −0.026; 95% confidence interval: −0.049 to −0.001). However, no evidence supported causal relationships between COVID-19 infection, hospitalization for COVID-19, or severe COVID-19 and other ED risk factors. Conclusion The results of this comprehensive MR analysis suggest a negative causal link between COVID-19 hospitalization and total testosterone levels. Nonetheless, COVID-19 (comprising infection, hospitalization, and severe illness) may not directly correlate with an increased risk of ED. These findings imply that COVID-19 may exert a distinct impact on ED through indirect pathways.