Association between fibrinogen-albumin ratio and erectile dysfunction: a retrospective cross-sectional study

The fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) is a new marker used in inflammatory processes and is effective in demonstrating associated microvascular damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between FAR and erectile dysfunction (ED), a sexual intercourse disorder associated with inflammatory processes and endothelial dysfunction. Data from 1876 patients presenting with ED between January 2020 and 2025 were evaluated. A total of 424 patients, 214 in the ED group and 210 in the control group, were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical examinations of the patients were recorded. FAR values were compared between the ED group, ED subgroups, and the control group. The cut-off value for the FAR value and the potential correlation between ED severity were examined. The FAR value was calculated as 89.4 ± 27.3 in the ED group and 67.8 ± 18.8 in the control group ( p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value for FAR was found to be 101.49 with 33% sensitivity and 99% specificity. FAR values were significantly higher in the ED subgroups compared to the control group. A moderate linear correlation was found between IIEF-5 scores and FAR values ( r = -0.554, p < 0.001). The FAR value (AUC = 0.724) was found to be more successful in distinguishing between diseased and healthy individuals than CAR (AUC = 0.647), a similar inflammatory marker. It has been shown that FAR is significantly associated with the presence and severity of ED and can be a reliable and easily accessible marker to support the diagnosis of ED.