A study of sexual dysfunction among patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus in a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Diabetes is an important lifestyle-related disease in the current scenario. It causes multiple organ damage with myriad complications. Sexual dysfunction with limitation of sexual functioning is an important long-term consequence seen in males and females alike. The cause of dysfunction is also multifactorial.
Material and Methods: 37 patients attending Medicine OPD for follow up of Diabetes Mellitus which was diagnosed for more than 6 months were recruited for the study and compared with 37 inpatients not diagnosed with diabetes. Other end organ damage like neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy, was evaluated along with quality of glycaemic control using glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c). Quality of Sexual life was assessed on Arizona Sexual experiences Scale (ASEX) and data was analysed.
Results: 67.2% of the study population reported having impaired quality of sexual experiences. Dysfunction related to both orgasm and penile erection/vaginal lubrication was highest at 32.4%.Poor glycaemic control and duration of diabetes mellitus were the most important correlates in the study with longer duration of illness being associated with poorer quality of sexual life.
Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction is a very frequent complication of Diabetes Mellitus. The cause of sexual dysfunction is multifactorial. It is important to enquire about and rule outdiabetes-associated sexual impairment in patients early on as early intervention indicates a better prognosis.