Both erectile dysfunction (ED) and diabetes (DM) are common health problems that share risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ED can predict glucose metabolism dysfunctions in men at the primary care level.
An 11-year population-based cohort study was conducted in men born between 1933 and 1956. The baseline survey was conducted in 2007-2008, with a follow-up examination 11 years later. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire was used to assess erectile function. Dysglycemia was evaluated using and a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (2hOGTT), in combination with health registry data.
At baseline, men with ED but without a history of known DM exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of undetected DM, odds ratio (OR) 4.7 (95 % CI 1.6, 14.4), and preDM, OR 1.9 (1.1, 3.2), compared with men without ED. Over an 11-year follow-up period, a significantly increased cumulative incidence of DM was observed in men who reported symptoms of ED at the start of the study.
The symptoms of ED appear to be an early warning sign of existing DM and preDM and predict an increased risk of developing abnormal glucose metabolism in the future.
Primary care diabetes. 2024 Oct 10 [Epub ahead of print]
Sebastian Becker, Kadri Suija, Antti Valpas, Markku Koiranen, Juha Auvinen, Hannu Uusitalo, Esko Hussi, Sirkka Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi, Jaakko Tuomilehto, Jouko Saramies
South Karelia Central Hospital, Finland. Electronic address: ., Center for Life Course Health Research,University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland; Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Estonia; Institute of Public Health and ClinicalNutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Finland., South Karelia Central Hospital, Finland., Center for Life Course Health Research,University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland., SILK, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, PL 100, Tampere 33014, Finland; Tays Eye Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland., Center for Life Course Health Research,University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland; Healthcare and Social Services of Selänne, Pyhäjärvi, Finland., Public Health Promotion Unit, Finnish Institutefor Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.