Organic, relational and psychological factors in erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED) is thought to be multifactorial in aetiology and to include vascular, neurological, and psychological components. The aim of the present study is to determine the contribution of organic, relational, and intrapsychic components to the pathogenesis of ED in diabetic in comparison with non-diabetic patients.

We studied a consecutive series of 1027 using SIEDY structured interview. A complete physical examination and a series of metabolic, biochemical, hormonal, psychometric, penile vascular tests and nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity evaluations were performed.

15% of patient studied were affected by DMED. Diabetic patients with DMED have a greater severity of erectile dysfunction and are more likely to have an organic, rather than an intrapsychic, component. Impaired sexual desire is less frequent in these patients and they had an higher prevalence of hypogonadism than non-diabetic individuals.

Diabetic patients seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction have a greater severity of disease, less impaired sexual desire, suggesting that the need for medical care in diabetic patients with ED could be even greater than in their non-diabetic counterparts. Considering the higher prevalence of obesity-related decrease of testosterone levels in DMED, an appropriate screening and treatment of hypogonadism might improve the outcome of pharmacotherapy for ED in diabetic patients.