Cigarette smoking: A risk factor for erectile dysfunction in diabetics

Objectives: Diabetes is one of the systemic disorders most frequently assoc iated with erectile dysfunction (ED). An extensive literature documents wel l the relationship between ED and several factors related to diabetic patho logy, but the role of risk factors mainly related to life-style, e.g. cigar ette smoking, is still not defined. Methods: Eligible for the study were men aged 20-70 years with a diagnosis of insulin-dependent (type 1 - IDDM) or non-insulin-dependent (type 2 - NID DM) diabetes who were observed on randomly selected days in 178 diabetes ce nters in Italy. ED was defined as a failure to achieve and maintain an erec tion sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Results:The study population consisted of 9,670 diabetic men. Of these 2,96 2 (30%) were never smokers, 2,877 (30%) current smokers and 3,831 (40%) ex- smokers. After taking into account the effect of age, the odds ratios of ED in comparison with never smokers was 1.4 (95% confidence interval 1.3-1.6) for smokers and 1.5 (95% confidence interval 1.3-1.6) for ex-smokers. Dura tion and intensity of the smoking habit was associated with an increased ri sk of ED. Among ex-smokers, the risk of ED significantly decreased; with in crease in the number of years since the patient quitted smoking. Conclusion: The study offers an assessment of the association between smoki ng habit and ED and its potential interaction with other risk factors in di abetic men. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.