TITLE:
The Metabolic Syndrome and Sexual Dysfunction in a State of Inflammation
AUTHORS:
Huseini Alidu, W. K. B. A. Owiredu, Nafiu Amidu, Peter Paul Mwinsanga Dapare, Ahmed Tijani Bawah, Christian Kofi Gyasi-Sarpong, Christian Obirikorang
KEYWORDS:
Golombuk-Rust Inventory for Sexual Satisfaction-Male, Metabolic Syndrome, Sexual Dysfunction
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Sexual Medicine,
Vol.7 No.2,
April
10,
2017
ABSTRACT: Background: Diabetes is amongst the most researched diseases worldwide due to its debilitating effects on patients. Diabetics have a higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Evidence has linked erectile dysfunction severity to increased age, duration of diabetes, the metabolic syndrome and hypogonadism. However, the role of inflammatory markers in the pathogenesis of SD is still unclear. The contributions of hormonal parameters and adipokines to both macro and micro vascular complications are still poorly understood. This study was conducted to provide some evidence of an association between SD, the metabolic syndrome and inflammatory hormones. Method: A total of 130 diabetic males participated in this study. All participants were at least 18 years and were actively engaged in a stable heterosexual relationship for a minimum of two years before they were recruited for this study. The Diabetic men were evaluated using the Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction for males (GRISS-M). The NCEP-ATP III, IDF and WHO criteria were used to assess the metabolic syndrome. Blood samples were taken for biochemical and hormonal assays. Results: Participants with raised Triglyceride levels showed significantly higher leptin levels for NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria. Participants with impotence showed significantly lower leptin/adiponectin ratio (p = 0.0184) whilst participant with non-sensuality showed significantly higher values of leptin/adiponectin ratio (p = 0.0103). A significantly higher levels of insulin (p = 0.0265) was recorded in participants with Dissatisfaction problems. Participants with Non communication problems showed significantly higher levels of insulin (p = 0.0419) and lower levels of adiponectin (p = 0.0438) whilst participants with infrequency showed significantly lower levels of adiponectin (p = 0.0042). Conclusion: The relative balance between pro inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators of endothelial dysfunction could possibly be essential for the progression of diabetes to SD and the MetS thus a longitudinal study which measures a range of both pro and anti-inflammatory hormones and adipokines as risk factors for SD and the MetS could potentially aid in improvements in assessing the risk of developing these conditions among diabetics.