Glycosylated haemoglobin levels and the severity of erectile function in diabetic men

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between the levels of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) and the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with diabetes mellitus (DM). PATIENTS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study included sexually active men with a diagnosis of DIM attending a urological medical centre from January 2000 to December 2001. The 115 men with ED (9.5%) completed the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire, and fasting serum glucose and HbA(1c) serum levels were measured. The relationship between the severity of ED and serum HbA(1c) levels was assessed. RESULTS Of men with HbA(1c) levels of <8%, half had mild, and 18% and 32% had moderate and severe ED, respectively (P = 0.038); of men with HbA(1c) levels of >= 8%,25%,29%, and 46% had mild, moderate and severe ED, respectively (P= 0.008). In addition, men with HbA(1c) levels of >= 11% had a statistically higher prevalence of severe ED (P= 0.002). There was no difference in severity of ED in the HbA(1c) subgroups when the duration of DM was <= 5 years (P= 0.87), but most men with HbA(1c) levels of >= 8% and a history of DIM of 6-10 or > 10 years had severe ED (P < 0.03). CONCLUSION This study suggests that the severity of ED is associated with increasing HbA(1c) levels in diabetic men.