Abstract

Background and objectives: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication in diabetes mellitus, affecting ≥ 50 % of men with diabetes, worldwide. This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors associated with ED in Bahraini men with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus attending the Central diabetic or the Non-communicable disease (NCD) clinic in Primary Health Centers (PHC) in Bahrain.
Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted in men with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus attending the Central diabetic or the NCD clinic in the PHCs in Bahrain, from June 2013 to September 2013. The study included 86 married diabetic participants. A modified Arabic version of the International Index of Erection Function was used in this study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 and P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Mean age of the participants was 53.47 ± 9.57 years and the overall prevalence of ED was 74.4 %. The prevalence and severity of ED increased with age, from 55.6 % in patients < 40 years of age to 83.3 % in patients aged 60–69 years (P = 0.028). A significant relationship was found between ED and duration of diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease (P < 0.05). However, no significant relation was observed between the prevalence of ED and glycemic control, body mass index, dyslipidemia, and diabetes-related complications (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: ED is highly prevalent among Bahraini men with diabetes and increases with age and duration of diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, non-communicable diseases