The usefulness of vibration perception threshold as a significant indicator for erectile dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus at a primary diabetes mellitus clinic.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to clarify the relationship of erectile dysfunction (ED) and diabetes mellitus (DM) parameters (referred to with '1'), including peripheral neuropathy (referred to with '2').

METHODS

(1) The DM parameters including age, serum levels of blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, duration of DM and number of DM complications were obtained from 145 patients at a general DM clinic. (2) The peripheral neuropathy examinations by vibration perception threshold (VPT) and Achilles tendon reflex were performed in 97 DM patients. Erectile functions in DM patients were evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF 5). The DM patients' parameters were compared with the IIEF 5 scores.

RESULTS

(1) The data showed IIEF 5 scores were significantly correlated with patient age, duration of DM and number of DM complications. (2) IIEF 5 scores were significantly correlated with VPT time. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis revealed that patient age and VPT time were independent risk factors for predicting ED in DM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The severity of ED in DM patients depended on age, duration of DM, number of DM complications and VPT. Significantly, the age of DM patients and the measurement of VPT are considered to be simple and useful indicators to diagnose ED in DM patients.