Sexual Dysfunction Among Men with Diabetes; a Cross-sectional Study at a Specialised Diabetes Clinic in Sri Lanka

Overview

Journal BMC Endocr Disord

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2022 Aug 17

PMID 35978307

Authors

Nipun Lakshitha de Silva

Tharaka Athukorala

Jayathra Liyana Gamage

Gaya Katulanda

Prasad de Silva

Manilka Sumanatilleke

Noel Somasundaram

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Male sexual dysfunction in diabetes is often an unrevealed clinical issue. Though many publications report the prevalence, there is limited data on its associations, impact, and health-seeking behaviour. The objectives were to assess the prevalence of male sexual dysfunction, its associations, impact and treatment-seeking among men with diabetes in a selected tertiary care Diabetes Clinic.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Diabetes Clinic, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, from January to September 2020. Men with diabetes aged 18 to 70 years undergoing annual assessment were recruited consecutively. Socio-demographic and clinical information were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation, mental health and quality of life were assessed using validated self-administered questionnaires. Cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests and total testosterone levels were performed. Penile colour Doppler ultrasonography was performed on consenting participants with erectile dysfunction. Associations were assessed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact for dichotomous variables and independent sample t-test for continuous variables.

Results: Two hundred and twelve participants were recruited with a mean age of 54.1 (SD = 10.1) years. Erectile dysfunction was present in 168 (79.2%), (mild: 45, mild-moderate: 56, moderate: 26, severe: 41). Premature ejaculation was present in 26 (18.7%). Libido was low among 16%. Sexual dysfunction was not revealed to a health provider by 85.6% despite 60.5% experiencing psychological and/or relationship effects. Out of 18 who sought treatment, only 4 achieved a good response. Mean age (55.4 ± 9.5 vs 48.7 ± 10.6 years, p < 0.001) and duration of diabetes (10.9 ± 7.6 vs 5.8 ± 4.6 years, p < 0.001) were higher while eGFR was lower (73.9 ± 27.7 vs 100.51 ± 28.08 years, p < 0.008) among those with ED compared to those without. Diabetic retinopathy (4% vs 42%, p < 0.001), peripheral neuropathy (17.9% vs 38.4%, p = 0.041) and lower limb arterial disease (0% vs 12.2%, p = 0.04) were associated with ED. Arterial insufficiency was seen among 50% of the participants who underwent penile colour Doppler ultrasonography.

Conclusions: Male sexual dysfunction is a pervasive yet underappreciated problem in diabetes care despite its effect on the individual. Patient and disease characteristics would guide the identification of high-risk individuals for targeted screening in clinical practice.

Citing Articles

Erectile dysfunction and associated factors among patients with diabetes in Public hospitals of Harari region, Eastern Ethiopia: modified poisson regression model.

Seyoum A, Motuma A, Hawulte B, Getachew T, Debella A, Eyeberu A BMC Endocr Disord. 2024; 24(1):275.

PMID: 39707271 PMC: 11662487. DOI: 10.1186/s12902-024-01815-x.

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