Prevalence and Associated Factors of Erectile Dysfunction Among Filipino Men With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Tertiary Hospital in San Juan City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

BACKGROUND

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication among men with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), but updated data from the Philippines remain limited. This study determined the prevalence of ED and evaluated associated clinical and socioeconomic factors among Filipino men with T2DM.

METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 384 adult Filipino men with T2DM recruited from private clinics, an outpatient service clinic, and an affiliated community clinic of Cardinal Santos Medical Center. ED was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). Comparative analyses between participants with and without ED were performed, followed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results are presented as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) among Filipino men with T2DM in this study was 88.02% (338/384; 95% CI: 84.4-91.1). Common comorbidities in the study population included hypertension (67.45%), dyslipidemia (44.53%), and coronary artery disease (26.56%). Regarding glycemic control, only 30.31% of participants had an HbA1c level <7%. Participants with ED were significantly older than those without ED (median age: 60 [IQR 17] vs 48 years [IQR 15], p <0.001) and were more likely to have a longer duration of diabetes. On multivariable analysis, dyslipidemia remained independently associated with higher odds of ED (AOR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.20-5.53; p = 0.015), whereas higher socioeconomic status was associated with lower odds of ED (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.13-0.75; p = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

ED was highly prevalent among Filipino men with T2DM included in this study. Dyslipidemia and socioeconomic status were independently associated with ED and may help identify patients who could benefit from more thorough screening. Further studies involving larger cohorts and improved sampling methods are needed to validate these findings and better understand the factors underlying the high prevalence of ED observed in this population.