Association between the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score and erectile dysfunction in a clinical population: a cross-sectional study

Asociación entre la puntuación de hemoglobina, albúmina, linfocitos y plaquetas (HALP) y la disfunción eréctil en una población clínica: un estudio transversal

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the association between the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score and erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as the severity of erectile dysfunction, in a clinical population. Methods: Patients presenting to the urology outpatient clinic were included, and erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Participants were grouped according to the presence of ED, and the HALP score was calculated from routine laboratory parameters. The association between the HALP score and ED was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis, while correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the HALP score and the IIEF erectile function score. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to provide exploratory information regarding the ability of the HALP score to distinguish between patients with and without ED. Results: The HALP score was significantly lower in patients with ED and was found to be associated with ED after adjustment for relevant clinical variables. A strong positive correlation was observed between the HALP score and the IIEF erectile function score. ROC analysis suggested that the HALP score may have the ability to distinguish between patients with and without ED. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the HALP score may have potential clinical relevance as a complementary biomarker reflecting the inflammatory and metabolic background associated with ED; however, it should be considered a supportive tool rather than a diagnostic test. Further prospective and externally validated studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Resumen

Antecedentes: El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la asociación entre la puntuación de hemoglobina, albúmina, linfocitos y plaquetas (HALP) y la disfunción eréctil (DE), así como la gravedad de la función eréctil en una población clínica. Métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes que acudieron a la consulta externa de urología. La función eréctil se evaluó mediante el Índice Internacional de Función Eréctil (IIEF). Los participantes se agruparon según la presencia de DE, y la puntuación HALP se calculó a partir de parámetros de laboratorio rutinarios. La asociación entre el puntaje HALP y la DE se analizó mediante análisis de regresión logística multivariable, mientras que se realizó un análisis de correlación para evaluar la relación entre el puntaje HALP y la puntuación de función eréctil del IIEF. El análisis de la curva característica operativa del receptor (ROC) se utilizó para proporcionar información exploratoria sobre la capacidad del puntaje HALP para distinguir entre pacientes con y sin DE. Resultados: El puntaje HALP fue significativamente menor en pacientes con DE y se encontró asociado con la DE tras el ajuste por variables clínicas relevantes. Se observó una fuerte correlación positiva entre el puntaje HALP y la puntuación de función eréctil del IIEF. El análisis ROC sugirió que el puntaje HALP podría tener la capacidad de distinguir entre pacientes con y sin DE. Conclusiones: Estos hallazgos sugieren que el puntaje HALP puede tener una relevancia clínica potencial como biomarcador complementario que refleja el trasfondo inflamatorio y metabólico asociado con la DE; sin embargo, debe considerarse una herramienta de apoyo y no una prueba diagnóstica. Se requieren estudios prospectivos y con validación externa para confirmar estos hallazgos.

Endothelial dysfunction; Erectile dysfunction; Inflammation; International index of erectile function

Palabras Clave

Disfunción endotelial; Disfunción eréctil; Inflamación; Índice internacional de función eréctil

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