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The connection between type 2 diabetes and erectile dysfunction in Taiwanese aboriginal males

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 26, pages 235–240 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing global epidemic, especially among aboriginal Taiwanese. This study aimed to identify the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED), markers of endothelial function, serum testosterone level and type 2 DM in aboriginal Taiwanese. Data were obtained from a baseline survey of 240 aboriginal adults. Their demographic data, presence of type 2 DM, markers of endothelial function, serum testosterone and ED status were assessed. The mean age of the samples was 51.62±7.76 years. The International Index of Erectile Function-5 total score had a mean of 21.99±2.34 and a median of 23; 134 participants had ED (55.8%). The results showed an increased risk of ED for participants with type 2 DM and lower serum testosterone level. Among the predictors of ED, type 2 DM, lower serum free testosterone and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were significantly independent factors. Interleukin-6 had a negative relationship with ED. The study results suggest there is a strong association between type 2 DM and erectile function among aboriginal Taiwanese that is similar to the general population. This study also supports the idea that type 2 DM, markers of endothelial function and serum testosterone may provide warning signs of ED and, at the same time, an opportunity for early intervention for aboriginal adult male.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from the Yuli Veterans Hospital, Taiwan (VHYL-99-01). We thank the psychiatric staff for their help in this study.

Author contributions

All authors participated in the experimental design and method, and the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tainan Branch, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan

    M-D Shi

  2. Department of Nursing, Chung Haw University of Medical and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan

    M-D Shi

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Yuli Branch, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan

    J-K Chao

  4. Department of Health Administration, Tuz Chi College of Technology, Hualien, Taiwan

    J-K Chao

  5. Department of Counseling & Clinical Psychology, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan

    M-C Ma

  6. Department of Statistics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

    S-K Chiang

  7. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China

    I-C Chao

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Correspondence to J-K Chao.

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Shi, MD., Chao, JK., Ma, MC. et al. The connection between type 2 diabetes and erectile dysfunction in Taiwanese aboriginal males. Int J Impot Res 26, 235–240 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2014.26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ijir.2014.26

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