Sexual dysfunction, depression, and marital adjustment in diabetic male patients

Type 2 diabetes affects 10.5% of adults globally, with sexual dysfunction being one of the complications, of which erectile dysfunction is the most commonly reported one with the prevalence ranging from 35% to 90%. There are a few studies exploring links between sexual dysfunction, depressive symptoms, and marital satisfaction, which is the reason we undertook the study.

To study the prevalence of sexual dysfunction, depressive symptoms, and marital satisfaction in male patients with diabetes and correlation between the three parameters.

A total of 120 male patients with type 2 diabetes were assessed for sexual dysfunction using ICD-10 criteria and International Index of Erectile Function, depressive symptoms using Beck Depression Inventory, and marital satisfaction using Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS).

The mean age of patients at diagnosis of diabetes was 42.32 ± 7.48 years, and the mean duration of diabetes was 7.35 ± 3.76 years. Mean HbA1c was 9.05 ± 2.25% with only 22 patients having good glycemic control. Eight-eight patients reported sexual dysfunction with lack of genital response, premature ejaculation, and orgasmic dysfunction being common. Thirty-two patients had depressive symptoms, with borderline clinical depressive symptoms and moderate depressive symptoms in 14 patients each. Marital satisfaction was affected with the total mean DAS score being 93.95 ± 18.34. There was a negative correlation seen between sexual function and depressive symptoms and also between sexual function and increasing age, with a positive correlation seen between sexual function and marital satisfaction. Poor glycemic control was significantly associated with clinically diagnosed erectile and orgasmic dysfunction.

Sexual dysfunctions, depressive symptoms, and marital distress are highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes, warranting timely detection and management. The three parameters are significantly correlated with each other, and poor glycemic control is significantly associated with sexual dysfunction. Psychiatric liaison would improve outcomes.