Diabetes and erectile dysfunction: The relationships with health literacy, treatment adherence, unrealistic optimism, and glycaemic control

Abstract

Purpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between health literacy, unrealistic optimism, and adherence to glycometabolic disease management related to erectile dysfunction (ED) in male patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or preDM. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study enroled 167 consecutive patients with T2D and ED. All patients underwent the following examinations: (a) medical history collection; (b) Body Mass Index (BMI) determination; (c) hormonal and biochemical assessment; (d) duration of T2D, complications and treatment; (e) International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire to assess ED; and (f) validated questionnaire to evaluate health literacy, unrealistic optimism, and treatment adherence.Results: Overall, mean age was 62.5 � 9.4 years (range: 20-75) and mean BMI was 28.4 � 4.8 kg/m 2 (range: 18.4-46.6). The mean IIEF-5 score was 15.4 � 5.2 (range: 5-25). The majority of patients showed high health literacy. However, low health literacy was found in patients with higher IIEF-5 scores and high BMI. Unrealistic optimism was low in most patients. Higher adherence to treatment was found in patients who reported regular physical activity, who followed a diet, and in patients with a family history of T2D. Regarding anti-diabetic treatment, patients treated with insulin showed higher health literacy than patients not treated with other medications, whereas higher adherence was found in patients using SGLT2-i. Conclusions:This study highlighted the close relationship between metabolic compensation, BMI, ED, and psychological attitudes, including health literacy and unrealistic optimism.

Interaction of smoking and spicy habits modifies the risk of erectile dysfunction

“…Moreover, numerous studies have substantiated that these same risk factors are indeed applicable to the development of ED, underscoring the interconnected pathophysiology of cardiovascular health and sexual dysfunction ( 16 , 17 ). Vascular damage caused by factors including diabetes and a high-fat diet are important factors in the progression of ED ( 18 , 19 ). However, it is established that capsaicin stimulates transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, thereby potentially initiating intracellular pathways that combat obesity by modulating mediators of lipolysis and thermogenesis ( 20 ).…”

Umbrella review protocol: Global burden and risk factors of erectile dysfunction in diabetic population

“…With the presence of diabetes, the likelihood of experiencing ED escalated significantly. [4][5][6] Diabetes combined with an increase in age increases the risk of ED. For instance, while 50-and 75-year-old healthy men faced a 20% and 68% probability of ED respectively, those with conditions such as diabetes encountered a higher risk, reaching 41% and 85% respectively.…”

“…The frequency of self‐reported ED among men without accompanying health conditions surged from 10% to 79% between the ages of 40 and 80. With the presence of diabetes, the likelihood of experiencing ED escalated significantly 4–6 . Diabetes combined with an increase in age increases the risk of ED.…”