Merrin Quilter

Doctor of Philosophy
Study Completed: 2017
College of Health

Citation

Thesis Title
An Investigation into the link between vitamin D status, erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors in ageing men in New Zealand

Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon

Erectile dysfunction is a common condition worldwide and is an early sign of cardiovascular disease. Ms Quilter investigated the prevalence and determinants of erectile dysfunction in New Zealand men. The results of a nationwide survey showed that erectile dysfunction affected over a third of men aged 40-70. She found that the greatest determinants were older age, non-European ethnicity, smoking, a low household income and lack of regular physical activity. A comprehensive observational study confirmed its association with cardiovascular risk factors in healthy men and, for the first time, showed that erectile dysfunction is independently associated with both low vitamin D status and a single nucleotide polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor gene. Her research results suggest that improving vitamin D status in men with erectile dysfunction may improve erectile function and reduce the risk of developing overt cardiovascular disease.

Supervisors
Professor Jane Coad
Dr Lynette Hodges
Professor Pamela Von Hurst