Erectile function in men with diabetes type 2: correlation with glycemic control

Men with diabetes have an increased risk for erectile dysfunction (ED) than those without diabetes. The diabetes control and complications trial clearly showed that better long-term control of blood glucose in diabetes type 1 is associated with decreased frequency and delayed the onset of microvascular complications. The aim of this study is to explore the role of glycemic control, and its correlation to sexual function in patients with diabetes type 2. One hundred patients were selected for the study according to the following criteria: all the cases were presenting with diabetes type 2 as a single risk factor for ED, age being between 35 and 50 years and free of liver and kidney failure, and blood dyscrasis. The selected patients were evaluated for sexual function by asking the patients to complete the abridged form of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The evaluation of glycemic control was based on the measurement of hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) values. Our results showed that the level of HbA(1c) is significantly higher with declining degrees of potency (P-value=0.003). Also, there is an association between potency degree and glycemic control (P=0.002). We conclude that glycemic control is independently and inversely associated with ED in men with diabetes type 2. International Journal of Impotence Research (2010) 22, 36-39; doi:10.1038/ijir.2009.39; published online 17 September 2009