Prevalence Of Erectile Dysfunction And Associated Risk Factors In Kenyan Men With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus At The Kenyatta National Hospital Out Patient Diabetes Clinic

Abstract

Title Prevalence of erectile dysfunction and the associated risk factors in Kenyan men with type 2 diabetes mellitus at the Kenyatta National Hospital out-patient diabetes clinic. Introduction The prevalence in the West of erectile dysfunction is at 20-80% in the male diabetic. There is no local published data on the prevalence of ED and the possible associated risk factors in our local population. Objective To determine the prevalence and clinical risk factors of erectile dysfunction (ED) in Kenyan men with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Design Hospital based cross-sectional population survey. Setting This was done at the Kenyatta National Hospital which is a tertiary referral and teaching facility. Subjects Adult males with type 2 diabetes mellitus and age-matched non-diabetic controls. Methods A validated questionnaire, the five item version of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) was administered to 250 type 2 male diabetics at the out patient diabetes clinic, and to 250 age-matched non-diabetic males to determine and compare the lIEF-5 scores in both groups. Comparison of ED and clinical risk factors was done in the diabetic patients. Bits ED was found to be five times more prevalent in diabetic males compared to age-matched controls with a prevalence of 74.3% and 15.1% in diabetics and controls respectively. Advancing age,duration of diabetes, poor glycemic control, history of hypertension, use of anti hypertensive drugs,presence of peripheral neuropathy and evidence of peripheral arterial disease were associated with ED in male diabetics. Conclusion Erectile Dysfunction is a very common condition among men with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus at Kenyatta National Hospital and should therefore be routinely sought for by the clinicians in this group of patients. The clinical factors that confer significant risk to development of ED, from this study are age, duration of diabetes, glycemic control, hypertension and use of anti-hypertensive drugs,peripheral neuropathy, and peripheral arterial disease. Some of these such as age, and duration of diabetes mellitus, are non-modifiable therefore emphasis should be placed on screening for prevention, through good glyceamic control, correct choice of anti-hypertensive drugs and treatment of ED in this population of patients.