Erectile dysfunction in diabetic men is linked more to microangiopathic complications and neuropathy than to macroangiopathic disturbances

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of macro- and microangiopathic diabetic complications, especially diabetic neuropathy (DN), as risk factors for diabetic erectile dysfunction (DED). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the clinical records of 150 consecutive patients with a mean age (±standard deviation) of 53.0 (±12.5) years, mean diabetes duration of 8.6 (±6.7) years and diabetes type 1/2 = 39/111 were analyzed. Data on macroangiopathy (arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebral vascular disease (CeVD), dyslipidaemia) and microangiopathy (nephropathy, retinopathy, symptoms and predetermined diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy (DN)) was collected. Modified Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS), vibration (VP), thermal (TP) and 10 g monofilament (MF) perceptions and Achilles reflexes (AR) for somatic DN together with a new test for sudomotor autonomic DN (Neuropad) were used as diagnostic tools. DED was diagnosed using a questionnaire, based on the ...