Endocrine Abstracts

Erectile dysfunction(ED) is a common but under – appreciated complication of diabetes. The current pilot study aims to determine the prevalence of ED and its association with a set of socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics among type 2 diabetic men in Jos, Nigeria.

Consecutive male type 2 diabetic patients attending a diabetic clinic in Jos were interviewed with the aid of a questionnaire on socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics and on erectile function, using the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function -15. Information was also obtained on duration of diabetes, medical and drug history and treatment for ED.

Information on erectile function was obtained in 66 patients.

The patients age (mean±S.D.) was 56±8.8 years, and the median diabetes duration was 7 years (range <1–20). Normal erectile function was reported in 8 men (12.2%) whereas mild, mild-to-moderate, moderate and severe ED was found in 7 (10.6%), 16 (24.2%), 16 (24.2%) and 19 (28.8%) patients respectively. Leisure time and work related physical activity was found to be protective, odds ratio 0.29 however not statistically significant (0.03–2.5) P=0.4. Alcohol, cigarette smoking and social class were not found to be associated with ED.

The prevalence of erectile dysfunction is high among male type 2 diabetics in Jos Nigeria and it is a significant cause of morbidity among these patients. The goal of management should not focus only on blood sugar control but also in promoting a satisfactory sexual life among those affected. The failure of this study to show an association between some of the lifestyle and socio-demographic parameters and ED as reported in some larger studies could have been due to the fewer number of patients used.