Background: Hyperglycemia, which is a main determinant of vascular and microvascular diabetic complications, may participate in the pathogenetic mechanisms of sexual dysfunction in diabetes. Objectives: Our objective was to assess the frequency of sexual dysfunction among men and women with diabetes at the "Association of Diabetics of Kanton Sarajevo". Our second goal was to assess how long diabetes and glucoregulation, following glycosylated haemoglobin-HbA1C as well as presence of comorbidities (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, alcohol, antidepressants and sedatives) contribute to sexual dysfunction. Methods: We took a detailed medical history of patients (duration of diabetes and therapy, the presence of comorbidities, previous surgeries, injuries, abdominal radiation, smoking, alcohol, and drugs). We constructed a special questionnaire with questions for men (how frequent are the sexual intercourses, whether he has any sexual desire, whether he has an erectile dysfunction, whether they use stimulants). The questionnaire for women contained questions about the frequency of intercourse, the existence of sexual desire, painful intercourse, dryness of the vaginal mucosa, the use of lubricants). In the clinical examination we measured blood pressure, and from the laboratory findings we monitored glucose levels on an empty stomach, postprandial glucose levels, HbA1C, cholesterol, triglycerides. Results: Out of a total of 56 patients, there were 30 women and 26 men, at the age between 30 to 65 years, with duration of diabetes from 10 to 45 years. There were 6 patients with Type 1 diabetes and 50 patients with Type 2. Of the 26 men aged 42 (+/- 10-16), with an average diabetes duration of 22 years (+/- 12-45), 21 had erectile dysfunction, 4 had libido impairment, and 11 used stimulants, the frequency of intercourse was mostly once a month. Of the 30 women, aged 46 (+/- 10-14), with an average diabetes duration of 8 years (+/- 6-10), 16 had libido disorders, 10 had painful intercourses, and 12 had used lubricants, the frequency of intercourse was usually once a month. Conclusion: Based on the research, we came to the conclusion that poor glucoregulation, gender, the presence of comorbidities, and shorter duration of diabetes, significantly affect the quality of sexual relations of men with diabetes. For women, a significant difference was found in age, perimenopause, menopause, but the duration of diabetes and glucoregulation did not have a significant impact on the quality of sexual intercourse.
Key words: diabetes mellitus, comorbidities, erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction.
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