The effect of lifestyle modification and glycemic control on the efficiency of sildenafil citrate in patients with erectile dysfunction due to type-2 diabetes mellitus

Objectives: We evaluated the effect of lifestyle modifications and glycemic control on the efficiency of sildenafil citrate in patients with type-2 diabetes (T2DM) and erectile dysfunction (ED).Methods: Eighty-three men with ED due to T2DM were included in the study. The Group 1 (n=41) patients received lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise), and medical treatment for intensive glycemic control. In Group 2 (n=42), in addition to the intensive glycemic control, the patients were given sildenafil citrate (R) 100mg for 2-3 per weeks. The changes in ED were compared between the two groups after three months of treatment.Results: The mean age was 54.99.1 (26-75) years. An increase in the IIEF-5 scores was observed in 23 of 41 patients in Group 1 (44.2%) and 29 of 42 in Group 2 (55.8%). When the changes of the IIEF-5 scores were evaluated, the mean increase was 2.5 in Group 1, and 5.0 in Group 2 (p=0.012). The mean IIEF changes according to the duration of diabetes were 4.8 in <5 years, 3.6 in 5-10 years and 1.6 in >10 years (p=0.021).Conclusions: Glycemic control and lifestyle changes are not solely adequate for a better sexual function in ED due to diabetes, and sildenafil citrate should be used additionally.