Abstract
BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is considered one of the complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), affecting about 35-75% of diabetic patients. Studies suggest that anti-diabetic drugs could potentially alleviate ED in diabetics, yet the effects of different drug classes remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to investigate the influence of various anti-diabetic drugs on ED. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out, focusing on clinical research linking anti-diabetic drugs and ED. Relevant studies were sought from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Review Manager 5.4.1 facilitated meta-analysis and subgroup analysis, while Stata 15.1 was employed for sensitivity analysis to ensure result robustness. RESULTS: An initial search yielded 3,906 articles across databases. After screening the titles and abstracts of 3,906 articles and performing a full-text review of 30 selected articles, we selected three studies for analysis ultimately. Our most significant finding is that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) show an advantage over metformin in improving erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients (Z = 2.41, P = 0.02), with a particularly notable effect observed in patients with higher BMI or obesity (Z = 2.26, P = 0.02). This suggests that GLP-1RAs may offer a promising therapeutic option for this patient population. Additionally, thiazolidinediones may enhance sexual function, although their safety and efficacy require further confirmation. Acarbose, insulin, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) also show potential for positively impacting ED, but more research is needed to establish their efficacy. Finally, the impact of metformin and sulfonylureas on ED remains uncertain, with mixed evidence from existing studies. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, GLP-1RAs demonstrate an advantage over metformin in improving erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients. Other antidiabetic drugs also show potential for enhancing erectile function in this population, but further extensive clinical trials are needed to address knowledge gaps and safety concerns.