Clinical and social aspects of erectile dysfunction among diabetic patients in sudan

Abstract AR

Objectives : To investigate the clinical and social aspects of erectile dysfunction in a group of male diabetic patients.

Methods : 360 cases were selected from a referral clinic for diabetic patients at the Medani Teaching Hospital in Medani, Sudan during the period from January 1997 to December 1998.

The patients underwent medical and social history and physical examination.

Results : Diabetic erectile dysfunction was diagnosed in 162 patients (45%) of the 360 diabetic patients seen.

The mean age was 44.3+Z-22.35, 138 (85.2%) had type 2 diabetes.

The mean duration of diabetes was 7.1+/-4.21 years, and diabetic neuropathy was detected in 129 (79.6%).

The rest of the patients (198) served as the study control and were compared to the erectile dysfunction group.

Diabetic neuropathy was significantly predominant in the erectile dysfunction group (<0.001).

The mean duration of erectile dysfunction was 2.4 years.

Marital problems were significantly greater in the erectile dysfunction group (P<0.05).

Conclusion : Erectile dysfunction is a common problem among our diabetic male patients and is often accompanied by serious social consequences.

The need for improvement in professional care and services is discussed