Sexual dysfunction was evaluated in three groups of males 30–45 years of age: 52 diabetics, 48 alcoholics, and 30 men from a general practice. Diabetics and alcoholics showed the same incidence and symptom-pattern of sexual dysfunction, both groups differed significantly from the controls in symptom-patterns and in incidence of sexual dysfunction. This difference consisted of a higher rate of erectile dysfunction and reduced libido. Premature ejaculation was the most common symptom in the control group. Sexual dysfunction was uncorrelated to duration of diabetes and alcohol addiction. Diabetic sexual dysfunction was over-represented among patients having peripheral neuropathy, although 52 percent of diabetics reporting sexual dysfunction were without signs of neuropathy. The results may be explained partly by neurological damage as well as by problems concerning life quality of chronically ill patients. We suggest a more active communication about life style including the sexual sub-aspects. This communication should be based on a better knowledge from more stringent studies of relationships of sexual dysfunction and somatic disease.
Editor's Note: Soren Buus Jensen has initiated a series of research studies on the sexual effects of diabetes. The article that follows is the first in a series of articles which will appear in the journal over the next year. These articles address the results of Dr. Jensen's work and will serve to broaden our knowledge of the sexual difficulties of the persons who have diabetes. As a reader, you can look forward to future articles on the younger diabetic male, diabetic females, and follow-up studies.