Erectile dysfunction as an initial presentation of diabetes discovered by taking sexual history
- 1University of Pittsburgh Family Medicine, Faculty Development Fellowship (UPMC Shadyside), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- 2UPMC Shadyside Family Medicine Residency, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Correspondence to Dr Nobutaka Hirooka, hirookan{at}upmc.edu
Summary
This case, as an important clinical reminder, will illustrate improvement of a patient’s quality of life and care in chronic diseases through sexual history taking in the primary care setting. The case report also includes recommended investigation for erectile dysfunction (ED). Family physicians need to maintain awareness of sexual dysfunction as part of the history taking during a general medical investigation to avoid leaving sexual issues untreated including ED. If left untreated, ED can lead to psychological trauma, frustration and lower self-esteem. Additionally, ED is associated with major comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, psychological conditions and diabetes mellitus. Thus, appropriately identifying this medical condition may lead prompt diagnoses and treatment of other major diseases.
Footnotes
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Competing interests None.
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Patient consent Obtained.