Endocrine Abstracts

Sexual dysfunction is common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aetiology is multifactorial. Apart from erectile dysfunction in men, contributing factors are poorly understood. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an androgen produced predominantly in the adrenal cortex, positively correlates with improved physical, cognitive and sexual function, including erectile function in men. The aim of this study was to determine if treatment with Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs) impacts on androgen levels in patients with T2DM and to correlate any change with clinical response, and patient-reported sexual function. Serum androgens, including DHEA sulphate (DHEAS), were measured in patients with T2DM, prior to, and 16 weeks following initiation of GLP-1RA treatment. Validated sex-specific questionnaires were used to measure sexual function. Paired student t-tests were used to compare androgen concentrations and sexual function domain scores pre- and post-treatment. The Spearman correlation test was used to evaluate for the association between percentage weight loss and change in androgens. In men, there was no difference in total or free testosterone following treatment. DHEAS increased from 3.56 + 2.56 to 4.09 + 2.83 μmol/l, following GLP-1RA treatment (P = 0.0185). There was no association between percentage weight loss and change in DHEAS (r = 0.497, n = 11). There was no significant difference in androgens in female patients, following GLP-1RA treatment (n = 8). There was no significant change in any domains of sexual function in male or female patients following GLP-1RA treatment. Treatment of T2DM with GLP-1RAs may improve endogenous DHEA in men with type 2 diabetes.