Frequency and Determinants of Erectile Dysfunction among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria

Background: Sexual dysfunction of which erectile dysfunction is one of the complications usually occurred in men with diabetes mellitus. Hence this study aimed to assess the prevalence and analyze risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 147 men with type 2 DM recruited from the diabetes clinic of a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. ED was assessed using an abridged version of international index of erectile function (IIEF–5). Sociodemographic data that included age, education, occupation, marital status were assessed and medical history including diabetes duration, smoking, alcohol intake, frequency and style of sexual intercourse obtained.

Results: The mean age of the study sample was 68.22±12.15 years. The prevalence of ED was 69.5%, of which 14.3%, 14.3%, 10.5% and 29.9% had mild, mild-moderate, moderate and severe dysfunctions respectively. The prevalence of ED increased with age, duration of diabetes and obesity but not with glycaemic control, consumption of alcohol or smoking.

Conclusions: ED was highly prevalent among men with DM in South-West Nigeria. Hence, efforts must be made to reduce the high prevalence by managing the factors responsible for its development. Also, health care practitioners must regularly inquire about this specifically as patients may not readily volunteer this information.