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Thursday, 2 November 2017

Erectile Dysfunction as an Early Marker of Microangiopathic Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus




Erectiledysfunction (ED), a very frequent finding among type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM), is associated with cardiovascular disease. To investigate the prevalence of ED among our T2DM population and its association with microangiopathic complications (diabetic retinopathy (DR) and microalbuminuria [mAlb]), we performed a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 121 patients attending the Diabetology Unit of Padua Hospital. All subjects were studied with accurate anamnesis, IIEF-5 questionnaire, microalbuminuria determined in spot urine sample, fundus examination and carotid artery echo-color-doppler. ED prevalence was 64.8% while DR and mAlb prevalence was 25.6% and 23.1% respectively. In ED group vs. non-ED, DR prevalence was 32.9% vs. 11.9% (p=0.012) and mAlb prevalence was 26.6% vs. 16.7% (p=0.218). ED group had a worse glycemic control (HbA1c 7.6 ± 1.6 vs. 7.0 ± 1.0 %, p=0.010) and a longer T2DM duration (10.3 ± 9.2 vs. 6.0 ± 5.7 years, p=0.002). Furthermore, ED was associated with a higher carotid intima-media thickness (IMT 0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 0.8 ± 0.2 mm, p=0.049). ED was the first vascular complication in 57% of patients, occurring some years before DR and mAlb. Association with DR and mAlb is independent of common cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, ED onset in diabetic subjects is a very important finding that can be considered an early microangiopathic marker in T2DM subjects, suggesting the evaluation for the presence of other microangiopathic complications and a more intense control of cardiovascular risk factors.

ED: Erectile Dysfunction; T2DM: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; DR: Diabetic Retinopathy; Malb: Microalbuminuria; DN: Diabetic Neuropathy; IIEF-5: International Index Of Erectile Function – 5; MI: Myocardial Infarction; CVD: Cardiovascular Disease; CHD: Coronary Heart Disease; Hba1c: Glycated Hemoglobin; LH: Luteinizing Hormone; FSH: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone; E2: Estradiol; PSA: Prostatic-Specific Antigen; Egfr: Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate; LDL: Low-Density Lipoprotein; HDL: High-Density Lipoprotein; IMT: Intima-Media Thickness; BMI: Body Mass Index; NO: Nitric Oxide.


Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is not merely a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, but a cause of vascular diseases affecting nearly all arterial vessels which are classically divided in microangiopathic and microangiopathic. The link between diabetes and macroangiopathic disease was suggested many years ago, observing a higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiovascular death in several diabetic populations. In Italy, diabetic patients have a cardiovascular mortality excess of about 30-40% vs. non diabetic individuals. Microangiopathic disease is characterized by three major manifestations: diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic neuropathy (DN) and diabetic nephropathy. Around 30% of diabetic patients suffer from DR, ranging from mild to severe. Male sex, higher glycated haemoglobin levels, longer duration of diabetes mellitus, higher blood pressure values and use of insulin are all associated with the development of retinopathy. Diabetic nephropathy in T2DM occurs in 20-40% of patients and microalbuminuria (mAlb) is a marker of early nephropathy.



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