Sexuality among Spanish adults with diabetes: A population-based case control study

ObjectivesTo describe and compare sexuality between subjects with diabetes with matched non-diabetic controls.MethodsPopulation based case control study using individual data from the Spanish National Sexual Health Survey. Diabetes status was self reported, we selected type 2 patients. We identified 461 diabetes sufferers. Two controls were matched by age, sex and sexual partner for each diabetic case.Sexuality measures included: sexual activity, importance of sex, satisfaction with partner, bothersome with one's sexual life and self-rated sexual health. Independent variables included: socio-demographics, physical health, chronic diseases and medications use.ResultsNo differences were found in “Sexually activity”, “Importance of sex” or “Bothersome” between those with and without diabetes. Dissatisfaction with partner was 25% in women with diabetes and 12.9% in non-diabetic controls (Adjusted-OR 1.82 95%CI 1.02–4.85).Diabetes sufferers reported sexual health as “fair/poor/very poor” more than their non-diabetic control, 58.1% vs. 45.1% for women (Adjusted-OR 1.74 95%CI 1.15–2.63) and 54.3% vs. 38% for men (Adjusted-OR 1.88 95%CI 1.29–2.75).Among diabetes sufferers “fair/poor/very poor” sexual health was associated with poorer physical health, not having a sexual partner and among men taking heart medications.ConclusionsWomen and men with diabetes have significantly worse sexuality measures than non diabetic controls.