Aims/Introduction: Several epidemiological studies have reported a positive association between nocturia and erectile dysfunction (ED). Yet only limited evidence exists regarding the association between nocturia and ED among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, although nocturia and ED are common among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Material and Methods: Study participants were 332 male Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 19-70 years, who had undergone blood tests at our institutions. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on the variables under study. Adjustment was made for age, body mass index, hypertension, stroke, ischemic heart disease, glycated hemoglobin and diabetic neuropathy. ED, moderate to severe ED and severe ED were defined as present when a participant had a Sexual Health Inventory for Men score <22, <12 and <8, respectively. Study participants were considered to have nocturia if they answered 'once or more' to the question: 'Within 1 week, how many times do you typically wake up to urinate from sleeping at night until waking in the morning?'
Results: The prevalence of nocturia was 79.8%. Nocturia was independently positively associated with ED and moderate to severe ED: the adjusted odds ratios were 7.86 (95% confidence interval 2.11-33.56) and 2.17 (95% confidence interval 1.16-4.12), respectively. The positive association between nocturia and severe ED fell just short of significance.
Conclusions: In Japanese men with type 2 diabetes mellitus, nocturia might be associated with ED and moderate to severe ED.