Relationship Between Dyslipidemia and Sexual Dysfunction Among Type 2 Diabetics in Tema Metropolis of Ghana

Background: The prevalence of diabetes is high and still rising worldwide. This study sought to investigate the influence of dyslipidemia on the risk of sexual dysfunction among type 2 diabetics in Tema Metropolis of Ghana. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study design was employed and involved 246 type 2 diabetics selected through consecutive sampling from Tema General Hospital. Sexual dysfunction was evaluated using the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction questionnaire. Lipid profile of subjects was determined and dyslipidemia diagnosed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Regression analysis was performed to determine the association between dyslipidemia and sexual dysfunction. Results: About 64.9% and 66.4% of male and female diabetics had sexual dysfunction respectively. The prevalence of combined/Mixed dyslipidemia were 46.2% and 48.3% among male and female diabetics respectively. In male diabetics, hypercholesterolemia was significantly associated with sexual dysfunction. Male diabetics that had hypercholesterolemia were 3.2 times more likely to suffer from sexual dysfunction as compared to those without hypercholesterolemia (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 3.18; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.30-7.79; P=0.011). In female diabetics, dyslipidemia was not found to be associated with sexual dysfunction. Conclusion: Study concluded that dyslipidemia (Hypercholesterolemia) is an independent predictor of sexual dysfunction in male but not in female type 2 diabetics.