Diabetic Penile Neuropathy: Relationship with Polyneuropathy

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2000;2(2):90-94.
Published online May 10, 2000.

Abstract

Objectives : The sexual dysfunction is common in male diabetic patients. This is generally attributed to a peripheral neuropathy involving the nerves controlling penile erection. In diabetic polyneuropathy, most distal sensory nerve fibers are initially involved by ‘dying back phenomenon’. Dorsal penile nerves are also a distal sensory nerves as well as distal sensory nerves of extremeties. In our clinical experience, diabetic polyneuropathy is frequently developed in company with sexual dysfunction. It led us to suspect that the diabetic penile neuropathy could be a kind of polyneuropathy. Methods : The relationship between diabetic penile neuropathy and polyneuropathy was evaluated by using electrical sensory nerve conduction studies of dorsal penile nerves and sural nerves. Results : Penile neuropathy had high correlation with sensory polyneuropathy. Conclusions : The results suggest that the penile neuropathy is a kind of diabetic polyneuropathy.

Key Words: Diabetes mellitus, Penile neuropathy, Polyneuropathy