Erectile dysfunction as a predictive indicator of asymptomatic diabetes and prediabetes

Aims

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.

Methods

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.

Results

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.

Conclusions

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.