Patterns and Their Correlates of Seeking Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Diabetic patients are at high risk of having erectile dysfunction (ED), but their doctors rarely pay attention to this association. To evaluate the treatment-seeking patterns and their correlates for ED in type 2 diabetic patients. A questionnaire containing Sexual Health Inventory for Men and questions inquiring treatment-seeking patterns was mailed or given to 4,040 subjects who had visited our endocrinology outpatient department for diabetes during January 2004 to May 2006. The prevalence of being bothered and having interest in treatment, and the percentage having sought treatment in regard to ED and their correlates with age and ED severity. Of the subjects with questionnaire completed, 83.9% (708/844) had ED. Among the subjects with different severity of ED, the moderate group had the highest percentages regarding prevalence of being bothered (89.4%), having interest in treatment (78.5%), and having sought treatment (46.2%). Of all the subjects, only 14.2% had ever visited Western physicians, whereas embarrassment and misinformation about ED treatment were the leading reasons for never doing so. Over half (56.6%) of those with ED wished to discuss ED problem with their doctors, and of them 90.4% wished the doctors to initiate to broach this issue. The prevalence of ED and the concerns about it were high in these diabetic patients. ED severity was the major determinant of their treatment-seeking decision, whereas only few of them had ever sought professional help. Routine screening of ED in diabetic patients is recommended.