The prevalence of erectile dysfunction and its associated factors among diabetic patients in the Southwestern Region of Saudi Arabia analytical cross-sectional study

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition among diabetic patients, significantly affecting their quality of life. This study examines the prevalence of ED and the factors contributing to its occurrence among diabetic patients in the southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCCs) across the Asir region. The sample included 398 married male Saudi nationals aged 18 years and older, diagnosed with diabetes and attending PHCCs. Data collection involved a standardized questionnaire that included the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) to measure ED severity and explore related factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v22, with descriptive statistics including Chi-square tests, independent t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression. Results: Most participants were aged 41–60 years (51.5%), with 55.5% having completed high school or bachelor’s education and 67.8% earning an income of ≤10,000 SR. Most participants (82.9%) have Type 2 diabetes and 21.9% reported smoking. Clinical findings revealed a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.53, glycemic control was poor, with only 29.1% achieving controlled hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), while 18.3% had severely uncontrolled levels. In terms of ED severity, mild to moderate dysfunction was most common (29.6%), followed by mild dysfunction (25.1%) and moderate dysfunction (20.4%). Severe dysfunction affected 13.1%, while 11.8% reported no dysfunction. Significant correlations were observed between ED severity and factors such as age, education level, income, duration of diabetes and HbA1C levels (p < 0.05). Smoking status was also significantly associated with ED severity (p = 0.0116), while BMI showed no significant correlation (p = 0.791). Conclusions: Erectile dysfunction is prevalent among diabetic patients in the Asir region, with its severity influenced by demographic and clinical factors. Younger age, higher education, and better glycemic control were associated with reduced ED severity.