Sexuality of Greek adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in comparison with their healthy peers.

Abstract

Purpose: Adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may differ from their healthy peers with respect to sexual behavior. The aim of this study was to explore sexual behaviors of T1DM adolescents in Greece in comparison with healthy peers.

Methods: The study population included 174 Greek adolescents, of whom 58 were T1DM adolescents (mean ± SD age 16.3 ± 2.0 years, disease duration 6.7 ± 3.5 years, and HbA1c:8.0 ± 1.3%), and 116 healthy controls (matching 1:2 for school, class, and gender). Anonymous self-reported questionnaires were used to evaluate sexual education and behavior.

Results: T1DM adolescents had sexual experience at a significantly lower percentage than healthy peers (74.1% vs. 87.4%, p = 0.033). The average age of first sexual intercourse was similar for both groups (15.9 ± 1.8 years vs. 15.2 ± 1.5 years for T1DM and controls, respectively). In the control group, boys had sexual intercourse two times more frequently than girls and those in the T1DM group three times more frequently. Maternal education level (β = -1.47, p = 0.014) and HbA1c (β = -0.63, p = 0.49) were independently negatively associated with age at first sexual experience and first sexual intercourse (maternal education: β = -1.53, p = 0.003, HbA1c: β = -0.92, p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion: A significant percentage of the T1DM adolescents had sexual experience or intercourse. However, fewer T1DM adolescents had sexual experience compared to their healthy peers, with girls having less frequent sexual intercourse than boys. Maternal education level and glycemic control were negatively associated with age at sexual debut. The above findings underline the need for early sexual education of adolescents with or without diabetes for the prevention of unfavorable outcomes.