THE VALIDITY OF USING A SINGLE-QUESTION SELF-REPORT OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AS A SCREENING TOOL AMONG MEN WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Background and objective This study aimed to determine the validity of using a single-question self-report of erectile dysfunction (ED) as a screening tool among Saudi men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a single-question self-report questionnaire to determine the association between the risk of ED and poor glycemic control among men with T2DM. The study was-conducted in a hospital-based diabetes clinic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Married adults (aged >18 years) suffering from T2DM for at least 1 year were included in the study. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS version 9.2 and R software (Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). Results With 86% response rate, 293 participants were included in this study. Over half (53.9%) of the participants were below 60 years of age. More than half (55.3%) were suffering from uncontrolled diabetes (i.e., HbA1c > 7%). There was significant correlation between the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and self-reported question in terms of duration of T2DM (p < 0.001), type of treatment (p = 0.004), income of the participants (p = 0.005), age (p < 0.001), education level (p = 0.032), and occupation ( p < 0.001). However, there was no significant correlation between IIEF and self-reported question in terms of body mass index (p = 743) and smoking. Regarding overall diagnostic accuracy of IIEF score to predict self-reported ED, receiver operating characteristic curve showed area under curve as 89.4%, which is statistically significant. Conclusion Single-question self-report of ED is a valid and reliable tool to screen diabetic patients suffering from sexual problems. Such tool may help to identify ED in diabetic patients and warrant early management.