Erectile Dysfunction among Diabetic Patients in a Tertiary Hospital of Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is defined as the persistent inability to achieve and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Few studies have examined the prevalence of ED among men diabetic patients in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of ED among diabetic patients in a tertiary hospital of Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on male diabetic patients on follow-up at the diabetic clinic of Jimma Medical Center (JMC), Southwest Ethiopia. Results: 350 male diabetic patients were enrolled in the study. The mean (+SD) age of the study participants was 47.9 (+12.2) years. The majority, 212 (60.4%) of the diabetic patients had varying degrees of ED and almost all, 207 (97.6%) of the patients were not treated for ED. Independent predictors of ED were older age (AOR: 4.6; 95%CI: [2.84, 7.55]; p<0.001) and longer duration of diabetes (AOR: 3.5; 95%CI: [2.12, 5.70]; p<0.001). Conclusion: This study confirmed a high prevalence of ED in diabetic male patients in Jimma Medical Center (JMC). Periodic assessment and management of ED should be a routine part of the diabetic care, particularly for those aged above 40 years and living with diabetes mellitus for many years.