Sexual dysfunction among diabetics and its impact on the SQoL of their partners

Diabetes technology and sexual health: which role?

PURPOSE

The aim of this review is to evaluate the effects of new technology used in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM), including the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and the administration of insulin through continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), on male and female sexual function.

METHODS

This narrative review was performed for all available prospective, retrospective and review articles, published up to June 2023 in PubMed. Data were extracted from the text and from the tables of the manuscript.

RESULTS

Sexual dysfunctions are an underestimated comorbidity of DM in both male and female. Although erectile dysfunction (ED) is recognized by the guidelines as a complication of DM, female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is poorly investigated in clinical setting. In addition to the complications of DM, the different types of therapies can also influence male and female sexual response. Furthermore, insulin therapy can be administered through multiple-daily injections (MDI) or a CSII. The new technologies in the field of DM allow better glycemic control which results in a reduction in the occurrence or aggravation of complications of DM. Despite this evidence, few data are available on the impact of new technologies on sexual dysfunctions.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of DM technology might affect sexual function due to the risk of a worse body image, as well as discomfort related to CSII disconnection during sexual activity. However, the use is related to an improved metabolic control, which, in the long-term associates to a reduction in all diabetes complications, including sexual function.

Prevalence and associated factors of female sexual dysfunction among type 2 diabetes patients in Indonesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a neglected chronic complication of diabetes. However, there is a scarcity of data in Indonesia, which is currently ranked as the 5th in the world for the number of people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Our study aims to analyze the prevalence and factors of FSD among T2D patients in Indonesia.

METHOD

Literature searching was performed in PubMed/Medline®, CINAHL®, Embase®, Proquest®, Scopus®, local journals and libraries. All studies in searching keywords "sexual", "diabetes" and "Indonesia" with Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms were included, without time or language restriction. Pooled prevalence and odds ratio of associated factors of FSD were analyzed using STATA.

RESULTS

Ten studies comprised 572 females with T2D were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of FSD reached 52% (95% CI = 0.49-0.56; I2 93.9%, p < 0.001). After removing one study that was conducted with an unstandardized questionnaire cut-off value, the pooled prevalence of FSD was 62% (95% CI = 0.58-0.66; I2 68.7%, p = 0.001). Age more than 45 years old and or menopause, and the use of antihypertensives were associated with FSD. While Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is only correlated with a desire for sexual dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

FSD was prevalent among T2D patients in Indonesia and was associated with age more than 45 years old, menopause, and the use of antihypertensive medications.

The impact of cell-based therapy on female sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a complex issue affecting women of all ages; it involves several overlapping body systems and profoundly affects quality of life. The use of cell-based therapy, such as mesenchymal stem cells, has recently been investigated as a potential treatment for FSD.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess FSD outcomes following cell-based therapy.

METHODS

We evaluated peer-reviewed articles from multiple online databases through November 2022 to identify studies that used cell-based therapy and reported sexual function outcomes in women. We performed a meta-analysis using data pooled from 3 clinical trials at our institution: CRATUS (NCT02065245), ACESO (NCT02886884), and CERES (NCT03059355). All 3 trials collected data from the Sexual Quality of Life-Female (SQOL-F) questionnaire as an exploratory outcome.

RESULTS

Existing literature on this topic is scarce. Five clinical studies and 1 animal study were included in the systematic review, and only 2 clinical studies were considered good quality: 1 reported significant SQOL-F improvement in women 6 months after cell therapy, and 1 reported posttherapy sexual satisfaction in all women. When individual patient data were pooled in a meta-analysis from 29 women across 3 trials at our institution, the SQOL-F was not significantly improved.

CONCLUSION

Despite growing interest in cell-based therapy for women's sexual health, this important issue is understudied in the literature. The optimal route, source, and dose of cell therapy to produce clinically meaningful change have yet to be determined, and further research is needed in larger randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials.

Sexual Dysfunction After Traumatic Injury Can Be Corrected by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Case Report

Neurogenic sexual dysfunction (NSD) is a common problem in patients after spinal and pelvic trauma. New treatment is needed beyond medicine or psychological therapies. A 24-year-old man who fell from a six-floor building suffered from subsequent NSD. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was the only method used to treat his NSD caused by multiple spinal and pelvic injuries. The therapy lasted for 3 courses. Motor and sensory conduction, as well as sexual function, were evaluated before and after the rTMS intervention. Improvements on patient's nerve conduction and sexual activity were confirmed at a 1-year follow-up. Our findings indicate that rTMS delivered a novel, positive and low-cost modality treatment to the patient with NSD. Clinical efficacy and potential mechanisms by which rTMS regulate NSD need to be investigated by further clinical trials.

Gaps in the management of diabetes in Asia: A need for improved awareness and strategies in men's sexual health

Sexual dysfunction, which is defined as 'difficulty during any stage of the sexual encounter that prevents or impairs the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity', is globally prevalent in males with prediabetes and diabetes. It is an early harbinger of cardiovascular diseases and has a profound impact on one's physical, mental, and social health. Among patients with either prediabetes or diabetes, the most common male sexual dysfunctions are hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation. In Asia, although sexual health is an important factor of men's health, it is rarely discussed freely in real-life practice. Addressing sexual health in Asian males has always been challenging with multiple barriers at the levels of patients and health care providers. Therefore, the assessment and management of sexual dysfunction in routine clinical practice should involve a holistic approach with effective patient-provider communication. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and the management of hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation among males with either prediabetes or diabetes (type 1 and type 2), as well as the evidence gaps across Asia.

Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Its Associated Factors in Bangladesh: Application of Two-level Logistic Regression Model

This study intends to explore the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its associated factors in Bangladesh. The necessary information was extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2011. In bivariate analysis, Chi-square test was performed to assess the association between selected covariates and diabetes status. A two-level logistic regression model with a random intercept at each of the individual and regional level was considered to identify the risk factors of DM. A total of 7,535 individuals were included in this study. From the univariate analysis, the prevalence of DM was found to be 33.3% in 50-54 age group for instance. In bivariate setup, all the selected covariates except sex of the participants were found significant for DM (p < 0.05). According to the two-level logistic regression model, the chance of occurring DM increases as age of the participants' increases. It was observed that female participants were more likely to have DM. The occurrence of DM was 62% higher for higher educated participants, 42% higher for the individuals who came from rich family and 63% higher for the individuals having hypertension. The chance of developing diabetes among overweighed people was almost double. However, the individuals engaged in physical work had less chance to have DM. This study calls for greater attention of government and other concerned entities to come up with appropriate policy interventions to lower the risk of DM.

Sexuality and sexual dysfunctions in older people: a forgotten problem

This article considers sexuality in older adults and the associated stereotypes and stigmas that lead to this area being underappreciated. Normal physiological changes in ageing are discussed and how they can cause sexual dysfunction. The elderly population has a higher burden of comorbid physical illness and this review considers evidence on the interplay between physical health and sexual health. Mental illness is also strongly linked with sexual functioning and is discussed, as is the evidence on psychotropics and sexual side-effects. Attitudes on sexuality in long-term care settings are highlighted and approaches to managing sexual disinhibition are included.

Therapeutic Apheresis in Metabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND

The metabolic syndrome unites three pathologies of the person - obesity, arterial hypertension and diabetes. In recent years the progressing of such distribution covering from 2.5% to 3.8% of the population with increase twice each 10-15 years is noted. Even at maintenance of level of sugar at diabetes accumulation of the secondary metabolites breaking small vessels isn't excluded. At the same time many life-endangering complications develop.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the possibilities of plasmapheresis in the prevention and treatment of complications of metabolic syndrome.

METHOD

Analysis of the world literature data on complications of metabolic syndrome and methods of their treatment.

RESULTS

At metabolic syndrome the frequency of strokes and myocardial infarctions there is twice more often than in population. For 5-9 years the general life expectancy decreases. Disorders of microcirculation at diabetes lead to a retinopathy with total loss of sight, a nephropathy from the outcome in a renal failure, to polyneuropathy and diabetic foot syndrome with high risk of high level amputations of the lower extremities. At the same time medicamentous therapy is not able to prevent such complications and almost only way of removal of these pathological metabolites is therapeutic apheresis, mainly the plasmapheresis. Data from our own studies confirm the effectiveness of such tactics.

CONCLUSION

Plasmapheresis has to be applied not only to the correction of already critical conditions, but also to their prevention.