Pattern of Serum Testosterone and Glycated Haemoglobin among Adult Males with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Erectile Dysfunction Attending a Tertiary Hospital in South Eastern Nigeria

Background: The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is steadily increasing. Diabetes mellitus is associated with acute and chronic complications including erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction is commoner among men with diabetes mellitus than their non-diabetic counterparts. This has been attributed to various factors among which are hormonal abnormalities and poor blood glucose control. There is paucity of data on diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction in south eastern Nigeria, hence this study.

Aims: To determine the pattern of serum testosterone (ST) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) among adult males with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and ED.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical.

Study Site: Endocrinology Clinic, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria between July 2015 and January 2016.

Methodology: 200 adult men with T2DM and 100 non-diabetic men were recruited consecutively. Socio-demographic characteristics and relevant medical history were obtained using questionnaires while ED was diagnosed using the international index of erectile function 5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Blood pressure and anthropometric indices were also measured. Serum total testosterone (ST), HbA1c and lipid profile were equally assessed. Data analysis was with SPSS version 22 and P – value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The prevalence of ED was 86.0% among the T2DM participants and 52.0% among those without DM (P < 0.01). The mean ST levels were 4.83 ± 2.66 ng/ml and 6.13 ± 3.00 ng/ml among the T2DM participants and non-diabetic controls respectively (P < 0.01) while mean ST among T2DM participants with ED and those without ED were 4.89 ± 2.66 ng/ml and 4.46 ± 2.70 ng/ml respectively (P = 0.44). The mean HbA1c was 8.0 ± 2.4 % and 7.3 ± 2.2 respectively among T2DM participants with ED and those without ED (P = 0.13).

Conclusion: Serum testosterone levels were significantly lower among adult males with T2DM than those without DM. However, there is no significant difference in the levels of ST between adult T2DM men with ED and those without ED. Similarly, there is no significant difference in the levels of HbA1c between adult T2DM males with ED and those without ED.