20.500.12556/DiRROS-24563 Erectile dysfunction in diabetes mellitus a comprehensive narrative review of pathophysiology, genetic association studies and therapeutic approaches Introduction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), significantly impairing quality of life and psychosocial well-being. The prevalence of ED is estimated to be over 3.5 times higher in men with diabetes mellitus compared to those without. The aetiology of diabetic ED is multifactorial, stemming from complex diabetes mellitus-related systemic changes. The pathophysiology of diabetic ED involves interacting pathways, including endothelial dysfunction, accelerated atherosclerosis, autonomic and peripheral neuropathy, structural penile changes, hormonal imbalances, and psychological factors. Methods A review of the literature was conducted to examine the pathophysiological mechanisms, genetic associations, and treatment modalities related to diabetic ED. Particular attention was given to studies exploring pharmacogenetics and emerging therapeutic interventions. Results Management is multimodal, including lifestyle changes, counselling, and pharmacological agents (primarily phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is)), but treatment response varies. Genetic studies have identified associations between ED risk/severity and polymorphisms in several candidate genes, including NOS3 (G894T, T786C, VNTR), ARG1/ARG2 (influencing nitric oxide substrate availability), ACE (I/D polymorphism), AR (CAG repeat length affecting androgen sensitivity), and VEGF (promoter polymorphisms). Pharmacogenetic studies suggest that polymorphisms in NOS3, AR, and VEGF may predict response to PDE5Is or testosterone therapy, while ARG1/ARG2 variations might guide future arginase-targeted therapies. Emerging treatments like low-intensity shockwave therapy, platelet-rich plasma, gene therapy, and stem cell therapy show promise but require more robust evidence. Conclusions Diabetic ED is a complex condition driven by multiple pathophysiological mechanisms often influenced by an underlying genetic predisposition. Understanding the interplay between pathophysiology and genetics is crucial for developing personalised treatment strategies. While current therapies offer benefits, variability in response highlights the need for tailored approaches. Further research, especially large-scale pharmacogenetic studies and randomised controlled trials for emerging therapies, is essential to identify reliable biomarkers, optimise treatment selection, and improve outcomes for men with diabetic ED. diabetes mellitus erectile dysfunction genetic polymorphisms sladkorna bolezen erektilna disfunkcija genetski polimorfizmi true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Neznano 2025-12-05 14:19:08 2025-12-05 14:19:08 2025-12-22 13:16:41 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 Nasl. z nasl. zaslona; Opis vira z dne 18. 9. 2025; str. 1-23 iss. 5, [article no.] e70099 Vol. 8 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno apc 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 616.379 2398-9238 10.1002/edm2.70099 249529091 RAZ_Hostnik_Bostjan_2025.pdf RAZ_Hostnik_Bostjan_2025.pdf 1 4D3399FF10D9F713FE8D81CAC4169310 1ae96ee94b4d90f48aa5a5bf554200cbeaee5b2ae9e3408589879930a1650150 1c6a25bd-d1dd-11f0-94a7-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=36642 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/edm2.70099 1 fc788853-d1dc-11f0-94a7-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=36641 Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana 0 0 0