Keywords

diabetes mellitus, type 1, type 2, impotence, male, hypogonadism, vascular disease, sexual health, blood glucose, ED, risk factors, cardiovascular risk, prevention, glycemic control, glycemic therapy, newly diagnosed, hemoglobin A1C, health motivation, nurse practitioner, health behavior change, health promotion

Abstract

The purpose of this literature review is to outline a health promotion plan for healthcare providers and diabetes educators, using erectile dysfunction (ED) as a motivational tool to change health behaviors for men with diabetes. Because the most severe complications might not manifest themselves until later in life, patients with either type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are less likely to make the dramatic behavioral changes necessary to control their diabetes at the time of diagnosis. Twenty-eight articles obtained from CINAHL and Medline databases were examined. Eleven of those articles were selected for analysis based on their specificity in addressing the complication of ED and glycemic control or health behavior change analysis. Improvements in glycemic control might occur when healthcare providers (HCPs) and diabetic educators teach male patients with T1DM or T2DM of the risk of sexual dysfunction. A man with diabetes might be more intrinsically motivated to make the drastic health behavioral changes required if he understands sexual dysfunction could result from not managing his diabetes and that ED might occur earlier in life. A review of peer-reviewed articles demonstrates changes in male sexual function might occur earlier in the life cycle of males diagnosed with T1DM or T2DM than those without diabetes, which might provide additional motivation to men seeking to make lifestyle changes that will slow the progression of the disease.

Description

The College of Nursing showcases some of our best evidence based scholarly papers from graduate students in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program. The papers address relevant clinical problems for advance practice nurses and are based on the best evidence available. Using a systematic approach students critically analyze and synthesize the research studies to determine the strength of the evidence regarding the clinical problem. Based on the findings, recommendations are made for clinical practice. The papers are published in professional journals and presented at professional meetings.