Be aware: Erectile Dysfunction in Younger Men Often a Sign of Diabetes

DLHA Staff writer

Pensive black man disappointed witEimpotence. Image from Freepik.

Older men with type 2 diabetes have long been known to have higher odds for erectile dysfunction, or ED. However, a recent research has suggested that younger men with impotence may likely signal undiagnosed prediabetes or diabetes.

Researchers found that men 40 and younger with ED have about a one-third increased risk for prediabetes or full-blown type 2 diabetes compared to men without impotence. They recommend that younger patients with ED should be screened for diabetes.

For the study, the researchers looked at the electronic health data of more than 1.9 million American male patients from 2008 to 2022 and examined the links between these two conditions.

Narrowing it down to men aged 18 to 40, the researchers found that ED patients had a 34% increased risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Additionally, 75% of patients developed prediabetes or type 2 diabetes within a year of ED diagnosis.

Untreated, diabetes can have serious, life-threatening consequences. However, the disease can be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes.

The study findings appeared in the September 2023 issue of Preventive Medicine.

Soucre:

Tucker, J., et al. (2023) Erectile dysfunction associated with undiagnosed prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in young adult males: A retrospective cohort study. Preventive Medicine. doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107646. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743523002268

Related:

• Erectile dysfunction in Nigerian men
• Management of type 2 diabetes in Nigeria
• Age, Income, and Education May Raise Your Odds For Erectile Dysfunction, Nigerian Study Finds

Published: February 6,2024

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