Differences in the prevalence of erectile dysfunction between novel diabetes subgroups

Aims The novel diabetes subgroups differ in risk for diabetes-related complications but the risk for erectile dysfunction (ED) has not been investigated yet. Since inflammation is associated with ED, we hypothesized that the prevalence of ED is highest in the severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD) subgroup which is characterized by an increased inflammatory state.

Methods A total of 351 male participants from the German Diabetes Study with recent-onset diabetes (< 1 year) were included in this cross-sectional study. ED was assessed with the 5-item International Index Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between diabetes subgroups and the odds of ED adjusting for the variables used to define diabetes subgroups (age, BMI, HbA1c, HOMA2-B, HOMA2-IR and GAD antibodies) and hsCRP.

Results The overall prevalence of ED was 23%. The presence of ED was highest within the SIRD subgroup (52%), lowest within the severe autoimmune diabetes (SAID) subgroup (7%) and intermediate within the severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD), mild obesity-related diabetes (MOD) and mild age-related diabetes (MARD) subgroups (31%, 18% and 29% respectively). Individuals in the SIRD subgroup had 4.62 (95% CI, 1.21; 17.65) times greater odds of having ED than individuals in the MOD subgroup. The odds of having ED were lower in those in the SAID subgroup compared with those in SIDD (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.01; 0.71) or SIRD (OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.01; 0.63).

Conclusion The high prevalence of ED among men in the SIRD subgroup suggests the role of insulin resistance in ED pathogenesis.

Interessenskonflikt

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Publication History

Article published online:
06 May 2021