Risk factors of erectile dysfunction among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A retrospective real-world study in the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Introduction : Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and can significantly impact their quality of life and relationships. However, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction is usually underestimated in developing countries due to social stigma, lack of awareness, limited access to healthcare, and underdiagnosis. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with ED in type 2 male diabetics. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia involving T2DM male patients who also experienced ED. The patient's medical records were reviewed to identify potential risk factors for ED by using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), including direct and indirect effects. The best SEM model was identified based on goodness-of-fit measures. The models were created and analyzed using IBM SPSS Amos 20 software. Results : The results of our study showed that the final model had a good fit, and only three independent predictors, including old age, FBS, and TC, had a direct statistically significant effect on erectile dysfunction among T2DM patients in our study population. Other variables, such as BMI, HBA1C count, antidepressant status, and smoking status, did not significantly affect. The goodness of fit statistics, such as GFI, NFI, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA values, indicate a good model fit. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that early detection and management of these risk factors could help prevent or reduce the risk of ED in T2DM patients. Comprehensive care of T2DM patients is essential to prevent or reduce the risk of ED.