Sexual dysfunction among patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus attending diabetes clinics in primary healthcare centers in Bahrain-A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common problem among males with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but often goes underdiagnosed and underreported. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and risk factors of SD among males with T2DM attending diabetes clinics in Bahrain.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in ten primary health centers in Bahrain using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: sociodemographic characteristics and the Sexual Assessment and Dysfunction in Diabetic Men (SAD-M) questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analyses, including logistic regression, were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 313 patients with an average age of 54.3 ± 10.0 years were included. More than half of the patients had dyslipidemia (n = 220, 70.3%) and hypertension (n = 178, 56.9%). Approximately half of the participants had no morning erections (n = 161, 51.4%), and about a third had less than three sexual intercourse attempts in the last six months (n = 90, 28.8%). Of the participants, 32.6% had moderate SD, 42.5% had mild SD, and 25% had no SD. Univariate analysis showed that male patients with SD were older ( < 0.001) and had a higher body mass index ( = 0.036) compared to those without SD. In addition, unemployed patients ( < 0.001), Bahraini ( < 0.001), had diabetes for 10 years or more ( < 0.001) and had prostate and spinal diseases ( = 0.004 and = 0.010, respectively) had higher rates of SD. Logistic regression analysis showed that older patients ( = 0.007) and patients with a diabetes duration of more than 10 years were more likely to have SD than their counterparts (OR = 14.908, < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

SD is a common problem among males with T2DM in Bahrain, especially among older patients and those with a prolonged history of diabetes. Therefore, primary care providers should consider screening for SD in male patients with T2DM.