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Sexual functioning and depressive symptoms in men with various types of prediabetes: a pilot study

Abstract

No study has compared sexual functioning and depressive symptoms in male subjects with various types of prediabetes. Our study included four age- and weight-matched groups of apparently healthy men (25–50 years old): subjects with isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (n = 16), men with isolated impaired glucose tolerance (n = 17), individuals with the presence of both IFG and impaired glucose tolerance (n = 16), as well as men with normal glucose tolerance (n = 18). All included men completed questionnaires evaluating male sexual functioning (IIEF-15) and assessing the presence and severity of depressive symptoms (BDI-II). Men with both IFG and impaired glucose tolerance obtained lower domain scores for erectile function, sexual desire, and overall satisfaction, as well as the higher overall BDI-II score. Individuals with isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and IFG were characterized by lower domain score only for sexual desire. In all study groups, domain score for erectile function correlated with the BDI-II score, while scores for erectile function and sexual desire correlated with a degree of insulin resistance. The obtained results suggest that prediabetes may impair sexual functioning in young men. The risk is particularly high in individuals with the presence of both IFG and IGT.

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Correspondence to Robert Krysiak.

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Krysiak, R., Szkróbka, W. & Okopień, B. Sexual functioning and depressive symptoms in men with various types of prediabetes: a pilot study. Int J Impot Res 30, 327–334 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-018-0050-6

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