TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS ASSOCIATION WITH SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN WOMEN

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus causes medical, psychological and sexual complications. Sexual dysfunction (SD) is one of the important problems in type 2 diabetic patients. Sexual disorders have been extensively studied in men, but in women only few studies were performed. Hence, this study is undertaken. This study is aimed to find the prevalence of sexual problems in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 18 months from October 2014 to September 2016. Patients recruited were type 2 diabetics aged between 18 years and 65 years. A total of 500 patients were given the questionnaire, of which 375 patients answered completely and returned it. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used in questionnaire. A value of P<0.05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS Out of 375 patients recruited in to study, 28.8% were in 40-49 years age group. The mean age of patients was 43 +/- 15.8 years, the mean duration of DM was 8.87 +/- 6.7 years, the mean of the body mass index (BMI) was 31.86 +/- 5.76, and the mean of the last HbA1c was 8.12 +/- 2.78. The mean of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was found to be 22. The prevalence of SD was observed to be 79.73%. Among 299 patients who reported sexual dysfunction, 171 patients (57.19%) (CI: 49.6-67.8) reported problems in lubrication, 153 patients (51.17%) (CI: 41.2-59.6) complained of decreased sexual desire, 147 patients (47.49%) (CI: 40.104-58.8) had problems with arousal, 103 patients (34.44%) (CI: 31.6-54.7) had dyspareunia, 189 patients (63.21%) (CI: 32.7-68.8) complained of orgasmic dysfunction and 259 patients (86.62%) (CI: 65.0-89.7) reported problems in sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSION Our study showed that there is high prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Our study also showed that there is statistical significant association between complications of diabetes mellitus and prevalence of sexual dysfunction. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have higher prevalence of depression and anxiety. There is strong correlation between sexual dysfunction and age of the patient, BMI, HBA1C levels and duration of diabetes mellitus.