Evolução da Disfunção Erétil em Indivíduos Infectados pelo HTLV-1

Abstract

Background: Virtually all patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) have some degree of erectile dysfunction (ED) but ED is also found in a large percentage of HTLV-1 carriers. Aim: To evaluate the evolution of ED in HTLV-1 infected individuals followed for up to 15 years. Methods: Prospective cohort study of HTLV-1 infected men with ED, aged 18 to 70 years, followed from January 2004 to December 2019. We used the International Abbreviated Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5), the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Osame Motor Disability Scale, and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) to define and stratify ED, neurologic and bladder dysfunction, respectively. Outcomes: Time to development of severe ED. Results: We studied 90 men with ED, mean age 52.8 ± 9.78 years. At baseline, 42 were carriers, 16 had probable HAM/TSP and 32 had definite HAM/TSP. IIEF-5 was highest among carriers and lowest in patients with definite HAM/TSP whereas OABSS was lowest in carriers and highest in definite HAM/TSP patients. Median follow-up was 8.50 [3.00 – 12.00] years. IIEF-5 fell significantly from baseline to last follow-up among carriers, probable HAM/TSP and definite HAM/TSP patients. There was an inverse correlation between the IIEF-5 and the OABSS at last follow-up (r = -0.62, P < 0.001). In survival analysis, the time to development of severe ED was significantly shorter in patients with definite HAM/TSP when compared to carriers (P = 0.001) and probable HAM/TSP (P = 0.014). The presence of definite HAM/TSP at baseline was independently associated with the development of severe ED, after adjustment for baseline age and proviral load (HR 6.74; P = 0.008). Clinical implication: Formal assessment of erectile 52 function should be part of the routine clinical assessment of HTLV-1-infected individuals; worsening erectile function should alert clinicians to the possibility of neurologic deterioration. Strengths and limitations: This is the first prospective cohort study to describe the course of ED in HTLV-1-infected individuals. The small sample size and absence of seronegative controls are limitations. Conclusion: ED is a slowly progressive clinical manifestation of HTLV-1 infection and the degree of neurologic compromise at baseline is the main predictor of time to progression to severe ED.