Age, obesity, and physical inactivity drive erectile dysfunction severity in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross‑sectional study

Edad, obesidad e inactividad física determinan la gravedad de la disfunción eréctil en hombres con diabetes mellitus tipo 2: un estudio transversal

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. It is highly prevalent among men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and factors such as age and overweight are important predictors. This study aimed to determine ED severity and its association with risk factors in patients with T2DM. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted in 130 men from Ibarra, Ecuador. Spearman’s rho and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between ED severity and risk factors. Results: The mean age was 62.67 years, with most participants being older adults. Overall, 52.3% were overweight, 21.5% were obese, and 26.2% had normal weight. In addition, 51.5% had lived with diabetes for 1–5 years. Mild-to-moderate ED was present in 86.9% of participants, whereas 13.1% reported severe ED. Regarding physical activity (PA), 53.9% reported moderate levels, 24.6% low or inactive levels, and 21.5% high levels. Spearman’s analysis showed significant positive associations between ED severity and age (rho = 0.558; p < 0.001), PA (rho = 0.289; p = 0.001), and body mass index (BMI) (rho = 0.218; p = 0.013). Compared with the high-PA group, participants with low PA had 79% lower odds of belonging to a less severe ED category (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.21; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.08–0.53; p = 0.001). Similarly, the moderate-PA group had 65% lower odds of belonging to a less severe category (OR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.16–0.75; p = 0.007). Conclusions: Advanced age, lower PA, and excess body weight were associated with greater ED severity in men with T2DM.

Resumen

Antecedentes: La disfunción eréctil (DE) se define como la incapacidad de mantener una erección del pene suficiente para lograr la relación sexual. Es altamente prevalente entre los hombres con diabetes mellitus tipo 2, y factores como la edad y el sobrepeso constituyen predictores significativos. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la gravedad de la disfunción eréctil y su asociación con factores de riesgo en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal y correlacional en una población de 130 hombres de la ciudad de Ibarra, Ecuador. Se utilizó el coeficiente rho de Spearman y la regresión logística ordinal para analizar la relación entre la DE y los factores de riesgo. Resultados: La edad media fue de 62.67 años, predominantemente adultos mayores. Entre los participantes, el 52.3% tenía sobrepeso, el 21.5% obesidad y el resto tenía un peso normal. En general, el 51.5% había estado viviendo con diabetes durante 1 a 5 años. En cuanto a la gravedad de la disfunción eréctil (DE), el 86.9% presentó disfunción leve a moderada, mientras que el 13.1% reportó casos graves. Respecto a la actividad física (AF), el 53.9% reportó niveles moderados, el 24.6% niveles bajos/inactivos y el 21.5% niveles altos. El análisis de correlación de Spearman reveló asociaciones positivas significativas entre la gravedad de la DE y las variables analizadas. La edad mostró la correlación más fuerte (rho = 0.558; p < 0.001), seguida de la AF (rho = 0.289; p = 0.001) y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) (rho = 0.218; p = 0.013). En comparación con el grupo de alta actividad física (AF), los individuos con baja AF mostraron una reducción del 79% en las probabilidades de pertenecer a una categoría menos grave (Odds Ratio (OR): 0.21; 95% de Intervalo de confianza (IC): 0.08–0.53; p = 0.001). De manera similar, el grupo de actividad moderada mostró una reducción del 65% en las probabilidades de estar en una categoría menos grave en comparación con el grupo de alta actividad (OR = 0.35; IC del 95%: 0.16–0.75; p = 0.007). Conclusiones: Estos hallazgos indican que la edad avanzada, la baja AF y el exceso de peso corporal están relacionados con una mayor gravedad de la disfunción eréctil en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

Erectile dysfunction; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Physical activity; Body mass index

Palabras clave

Disfunción eréctil; Diabetes tipo 2; Actividad física; Índice de masa corporal

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