Endocrine Abstracts

Aim: Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been reported to occur more commonly in diabetes than general population with the prevalence rate varies widely from 35 to 75%. Patients with diabetes was also shown to have much earlier onset of ED and more severe form of the disease associated with a poorer quality of life. We aimed to evaluate association of ED with diabetes related complications in patients with type 2 diabetes in our study.

Methods: In a total of 68 type 2 diabetic patients males (mean age: 56.7 (5.8) years), polyneuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy were assessed based on medical history, physical examination, and laboratory findings. ED was evaluated via application of the five question of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire via face to face interview method. The severity of sexual dysfunction was classified into five categories (i.e. severe 5–7, moderate 8–11, mild to moderate 12–16, mild 17–21, and no ED 21–25).

Results: Mean (S.D.) duration of diabetes mellitus was 7.4 (6.9) years and mean HbA1c was 8.6 (2.0) in patients. Polyneuropathy was noted in 46.2% of patients, nephropathy in 30.8% and retinopathy in 33.8%. ED was determined in 75.0% of diabetic patients and severe ED in 29.4%. Univariate analysis revealed that diabetic polyneuropathy was the only significant factor associated with higher likelihood (93.3% in the presence and 60.0% in the absence of neuropathy) and severity (43.3% in the presence and 14.3% in the absence of neuropathy) of ED (P=0.004).

Conclusion: In conclusion, findings from the present cross sectional single centre study revealed diabetic polyneuropathy as the only diabetes related complication associated with higher likelihood and more severe forms of ED. In patients with diabetic polyneuropathy, ED should be evaluated.