DIABETES, PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTION AND MALE-SEXUALITY

The aim of the study was to assess psychological contributors or corre lates of sexual dysfunction in diabetic men. The study was conducted o n 40 diabetic men and 40 age-matched healthy volunteers. The subjects underwent a psychosexual interview with their sexual partners and had a comprehensive medical evaluation to rule out the confounding effects of other illnesses or medications. Psychiatric, psychological and mar ital information was obtained with the Schedule for Affective Disorder s and Schizophrenia (SADS-L), the SCL-90-R, the Derogatis Sexual Funct ion Inventory, the Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment test and the Dyadi c Adjustment Inventory. Compared to controls, diabetic patients had si gnificantly lower levels of erotic drive, sexual arousal, enjoyment an d satisfaction. Problems in these areas coexisted with alterations in sexual attitudes and body image but were not related to group differen ces in marital adjustment as reported separately by the patients and t heir partners. There was no evidence that psychological distress or ps ychiatric disorders are associated with diabetes or with its effects o n sexual function.