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Risk factors for orgasmic and concomitant erectile dysfunction in men with type 1 diabetes: a cross-sectional study

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 33, pages 59–66 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

In this study, we sought to determine the burden and characteristics of orgasmic dysfunction (OD) and concomitant erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with type 1 diabetes (T1D) enrolled in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study. In 2010, we assessed orgasmic and erectile function using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Sociodemographic, clinical, and diabetes characteristics were compared by OD status (OD only, OD and ED, no ED or OD). Age-adjusted associations between risk factors and OD status were examined. OD and ED information was available from 563 men. Eighty-three men (14.7%) reported OD of whom 21 reported OD only and 62 reported OD and ED. Age-adjusted odds ratios demonstrated that men who reported OD only had higher odds of depression, low sexual desire, and decreased alcohol use compared with men reporting no dysfunction. Men with OD concomitant with ED had greater odds of elevated hemoglobin A1C, peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, and nephropathy. Men reporting both dysfunctions were also more likely to report smoking, lower urinary tract symptoms, and had greater odds of androgen deficiency than men with no sexual dysfunction. Men with longstanding T1D suffer from an increased burden of OD. Psychogenic factors predominate in men reporting OD only while men who present with concomitant ED report increased burden of diabetes severity, characteristics previously observed with incident ED. ED may be the central impediment to sexual function in men with OD and ED. Longitudinal studies to characterize OD and ED experience over time are warranted.

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Funding

The DCCT/EDIC has been supported by cooperative agreement grants (1982–1993, 2012–2017, 2017–2022), and contracts (1982–2012) with the Division of Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (current grant numbers U01 DK094176 and U01 DK094157), and through support by the National Eye Institute, the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke, the General Clinical Research Centers Program (1993–2007), and Clinical Translational Science Center Program (2006–present), Bethesda, Maryland, USA. The authors acknowledge Brandon Haynes contributions to preliminary analyses. Additional statement for collaborators: additional support for this DCCT/EDIC collaborative study (UroEDIC) was provided by an R01 grant (2009–2013) with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (5R01DK083927–03).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Nnenaya Agochukwu-Mmonu, Bahaa S. Malaeb, Rodney L. Dunn & Aruna V. Sarma

  2. Center for Reconstructive Urology and Men’s Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    James M. Hotaling

  3. The Biostatistics Center, George Washington University, Rockville, MD, USA

    Barbara H. Braffett

  4. Department of Urology and Diabetes Endocrinology Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Sarah K. Holt, Melody R. Palmer & Hunter Wessells

  5. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Catherine L. Martin & William H. Herman

  6. NYU Winthrop Hospital, Research Institute, Mineola, NY, USA

    Alan M. Jacobson

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  1. Nnenaya Agochukwu-Mmonu
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  2. Bahaa S. Malaeb
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  3. James M. Hotaling
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  4. Barbara H. Braffett
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  5. Sarah K. Holt
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  6. Rodney L. Dunn
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  7. Melody R. Palmer
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  8. Catherine L. Martin
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  9. Alan M. Jacobson
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  10. William H. Herman
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  11. Hunter Wessells
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  12. Aruna V. Sarma
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and the DCCT/EDIC Research Group

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Correspondence to Aruna V. Sarma.

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Members of the DCCT/EDIT Research Group are listed in Supplementary File 1.

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Agochukwu-Mmonu, N., Malaeb, B.S., Hotaling, J.M. et al. Risk factors for orgasmic and concomitant erectile dysfunction in men with type 1 diabetes: a cross-sectional study. Int J Impot Res 33, 59–66 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-020-0242-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-020-0242-8

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