The relationship of sexual dysfunction and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Objective: Diabetes, along with being able to play a role in the formation of many health problems such as psychological, psychosocial, and sexual dysfunction, also indirectly affects the duration and quality of life. This research was conducted as a descriptive, cross-sectional research model to determine the relationship between sexual dysfunction and the quality of life of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The research sample consisted of 485 individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The data were collected through the General Information Form, the Female Sexual Function Index, the Erection Function International Assessment Form, and the Quality of Life Scale (SF-36). Results: It was found that 91% of women have sexual dysfunction and are experiencing sexual desire (92.2%), orgasmic function, arousal (92.9%), and pain, satisfaction, and lubrication (92.5%), respectively. This rate was found to be 91.3% in men, and the degree of erectile dysfunction was found to be moderate (55%), mild (21.6%) and severe (14.7%), respectively. It was found that the problems experienced in the areas of sexual dysfunction were in the sub-dimensions of general satisfaction 20.6%, orgasmic function 49.5%, and sexual desire 50.9%. And relationship satisfaction is 72.5%. In the study, it was found that sexual dysfunction affects the quality of life in both sexes, and the scale sub-dimensions have a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). It was found that the physical role difficulty, physical function, emotional role, mental health, and social function sub-dimension score had a statistically significant difference in men and women with sexual dysfunction, and the pain and vitality sub-dimension scores in men were significantly lower compared to those without sexual dysfunction (p < 0.05). Conclusion: As a result, sexual dysfunction is common in men and women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and in parallel, the quality of life is low.

Keywords

• Type 2 diabetes
• sexual dysfunction
• erectile dysfunction
• sexuality
• quality of life

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