Association Between Erectile Dysfunction and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Urology
• Public Health

Background:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common yet underreported complication of diabetes in men, particularly in developing nations.
• Sexual health concerns are often not discussed between patients and physicians, hindering diagnosis and management.
• This study addresses the prevalence and risk factors of ED in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Nepal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction among male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• To investigate the association between erectile dysfunction and other risk factors, including glycemic control and diabetes duration.
• To highlight the impact of T2DM on male sexual health in a tertiary care setting in Nepal.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted with 160 male T2DM patients at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Nepal.
• The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF 5) questionnaire was used to assess erectile function, with scores below 22 indicating ED.
• ED severity was categorized based on IIEF 5 scores.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of erectile dysfunction among male T2DM patients was found to be 76.87%.
• A significant negative correlation was observed between the IIEF 5 score and the duration of T2DM (r = -0.416, p < 0.05).
• A significant negative correlation was also found between the IIEF 5 score and HbA1c levels (r = -0.391, p < 0.05), indicating poorer glycemic control is linked to worse ED.

Conclusions:

• Erectile dysfunction is highly prevalent in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Poor glycemic control and longer duration of diabetes are significantly associated with erectile dysfunction in this population.
• These findings underscore the need for increased awareness and discussion of sexual health issues in diabetic male patients.