title: Prevalence of erectile dysfunction and associated factors among diabetic men attending diabetic clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been an increase in the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the general population especially among Diabetic patients. This seems to be neglected problem in low-income countries. This study aims at establishing the prevalence of ED and associated risk factors in diabetic patients attended at Diabetic Clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted among 312 diabetic patients attending diabetic clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital between May and December 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than half (55.1%) of the patients were found to have some form of ED (12.8% had mild dysfunction, 11.5% moderate and 27.9% severe dysfunction). The severity of ED was correlated with increased age. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that ED was significantly predicted by old age (odds ratio (OR) = 7.1, 95% CI 1.2-40.7), evidence of peripheral neuropathy (OR) =5.9, 95% CI 1.6-21.3), and evidence of peripheral vascular disease (OR =2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.3). Also longer duration of DM was marginally associated with ED (p=0.056). Patients with ED were also more likely to suffer other sexual domains (p<0.001). No lifestyle factor was associated with ED.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of ED is high among DM patients. Interventions aimed at prevention, early diagnosis and detection of DM and its complications, and adherence to treatment to prevent complications should be implemented. Further studies should emphasize on temporal variation to show true causality of DM on erectile dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Muhimbili University College of Health and Allied Sciences Post Office Box 65000, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ; Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Post Office Box 65474, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Reuben Kato
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Mutagaywa
authors.affiliation: Muhimbili University College of Health and Allied Sciences Post Office Box 65000, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Janeth
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lutale
authors.affiliation: Muhimbili University College of Health and Allied Sciences Post Office Box 65000, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Muhsin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aboud
authors.affiliation: PeerCorps Trust Fund, 352/64 Makunganya Street, Co-Architecture Building, 4th Floor, Post Office Box 22499, DSM, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Benjamin Anathory
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Kamala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Diabetes mellitus; erectile dysfunction; monofilament score; peripheral neuropathy; peripheral vascular disease; sexual domains