The relationship between vitamin D level and erectile dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that a relationship could exist between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency and erectile dysfunction (ED). The present study evaluated the relationship between 25(OH)D levels and ED in male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The study included 98 patients with type 2 DM aged between 18–80 years. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire was administered. The patients were divided into three groups according to IIEF-5 scoring: IIEF-5 score between 5–10, severe ED; IIEF-5 score between 11–20, moderate ED; IIEF-5 score between 21–25, no ED. Biochemical parameters, 25(OH)D and hormonal analysis tests were obtained in all patients. All parameters were compared between these three groups. Of 98 patients included in the study, 32 had severe ED, 45 had moderate ED and 21 had no ED. The mean age was 55.12 ± 9.39 years and the mean 25(OH)D level was 13.69 ± 8.15 ng/ml. When the three groups were compared, 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in patients with the IIEF-5 score between 5–10 (p = 0.020). There was a moderate positive relationship between IIEF-5 score and 25(OH)D level (r = 0.21, p = 0.038). The patients with severe ED have considerably lower 25(OH)D levels.