This study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction in a sample of Dutch men and women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Patients with T2DM, aged 40-75 years, from four Dutch diabetes centers were asked to complete self-report questionnaires covering socio-demographic characteristics, medical characteristics, clinical depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies, CES-D), and sexual dysfunction (in men: International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF; in women: Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI). In total, 158 T2DM patients (68% men) completed the cross-sectional survey. Based on pre-defined criteria, 69% of men and 70% of women were classified with some degree of sexual dysfunction. Univariable logistic regression analyses revealed that sexual dysfunctions were associated with higher age, clinical depression (CES-D score ≥ 16), and one or more diabetes-related complications in both men and women. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that clinical depression was most strongly associated with both male (OR 6.87 (95%CI 1.77 to 26.63)) and female (OR 9.33 (95%CI 1.03 to 84.87)) sexual dysfunction. In conclusion, sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in men and women with T2DM and is associated with higher age, clinical depression, and diabetes-related complications. These results suggest that addressing sexual dysfunction in diabetes care is important.
Written by:
Rutte A, van Splunter MM, van der Heijden AA, Welschen LM, Elders PJ, Dekker JM, Snoek FJ, Enzlin P, Nijpels G. Are you the author?
Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Reference: J Sex Marital Ther. 2014 Sep 25:0.
doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2014.966399
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25256659