Sexual dysfunction, depression, and marital adjustment in diabetic male patients.

Background: Type 2 diabetes affects 10.5% of adults globally, with sexual dysfunction being one of the complications, of which erectile dysfunction is the most commonly reported one with the prevalence ranging from 35% to 90%. There are a few studies exploring links between sexual dysfunction, depressive symptoms, and marital satisfaction, which is the reason we undertook the study.

Aim: To study the prevalence of sexual dysfunction, depressive symptoms, and marital satisfaction in male patients with diabetes and correlation between the three parameters.

Methods: A total of 120 male patients with type 2 diabetes were assessed for sexual dysfunction using ICD-10 criteria and International Index of Erectile Function, depressive symptoms using Beck Depression Inventory, and marital satisfaction using Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS).

Results: The mean age of patients at diagnosis of diabetes was 42.32 ± 7.48 years, and the mean duration of diabetes was 7.35 ± 3.76 years. Mean HbA1c was 9.05 ± 2.25% with only 22 patients having good glycemic control. Eight-eight patients reported sexual dysfunction with lack of genital response, premature ejaculation, and orgasmic dysfunction being common. Thirty-two patients had depressive symptoms, with borderline clinical depressive symptoms and moderate depressive symptoms in 14 patients each. Marital satisfaction was affected with the total mean DAS score being 93.95 ± 18.34. There was a negative correlation seen between sexual function and depressive symptoms and also between sexual function and increasing age, with a positive correlation seen between sexual function and marital satisfaction. Poor glycemic control was significantly associated with clinically diagnosed erectile and orgasmic dysfunction.

Conclusions: Sexual dysfunctions, depressive symptoms, and marital distress are highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes, warranting timely detection and management. The three parameters are significantly correlated with each other, and poor glycemic control is significantly associated with sexual dysfunction. Psychiatric liaison would improve outcomes.