Bijlsma–Rutte A, et al. – The goal of the present research was to determine the prevalence of sexual dissatisfaction, sexual problems and need for help by using a screening instrument among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in primary care. The outcomes suggested that one–third of individuals with T2DM was sexually dissatisfied and more than half of these individuals report a need for help. In addition, the Brief Sexual Symptom Checklist (BSSC) could be used a tool to proactively identify sexually dissatisfied individuals in primary care.

Methods

• From January 2015 – February 2016, information were gathered in 45 general practices in the Netherlands.
• The Brief Sexual Symptom Checklist (BSSC) was utilized to screen among 40-75 year old men and women.

Results

• Altogether, seven hundred eighty six individuals with T2DM (66.5% men) were screened.
• It was observed in the findings that the prevalence of sexual dissatisfaction was 36.6%, significantly higher among men than among women (41.1% vs. 27.8%).
• It was noted that sexually dissatisfied men most often reported erectile dysfunction (71.6%); for sexually dissatisfied women, low sexual desire (52.8%) and lubrication problems (45.8%) were most common.
• Results revealed that more than half of all dissatisfied people had a need for care (61.8%), significantly more men than women (66.8% vs. 47.2%).