A study shows that men with type 2 diabetes experience pronounced risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) when they have symptoms of depressionDepression appears to be a vicious cycle that may instigate the development of ED, while the ED symptoms perpetuate the symptoms of depression. Effectively deducing that ED in diabetic patients is not related entirely to organic factors. The study evaluated men with type 2 diabetes who completed questionnaires every 6 months for 3 years. Five hundred men reported ED at the start of the study, and an additional 192 developed the disorder during follow-up. The investigators noted higher prevalence of high blood pressure (46% versus 32%) and lipid abnormalities (23% versus 13%) among men who complained of ED. The researchers also observed higher incidence of retinopathy, neuropathy or heart and vascular disease in ED sufferers. Those with ED were more likely to be treated with insulin or diuretics. Depression and ED was found more often in those with poor physical and psychological health.
The researchers surmised that erectile problems are not necessarily an inevitable outcome of the aging process. The risk factors for ED are modifiable and can be changed to reduce the likelihood of the outcome (or lack thereof). The results should serve as uplifting news for suffers of ED, no pun intended.
1. I suppose it's much more factors, which we even don't know yet. Finding new factors we can develop treatment
Posted at 6:36PM on Jan 23rd 2007 by Earl