Bladder, Bowel and Sexual Function/Dysfunction in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Look Beyond the Horizon

This article was aimed at throwing light on the relatively under-researched area in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), the presence of visceropelvic disorders secondary to bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction through a scoping overview of current research evidence. The three studies on bladder dysfunction in DPN uniformly found increased residual urine, urinary retention and slowing of nerve conduction velocities. Three studies on bowel dysfunction found fecal incontinence, increased rectal sensitivity thresholds, prolonged pudendal distal motor latency, asymptomatic sensorimotor deficit, higher mucosal electrosensitivity thresholds and increased fibre density of the external anal sphincter. Three studies on sexual dysfunction demonstrated erectile dysfunction, altered copulatory behaviors and infertility which suggested role of ‘central’ neuropathy in DPN. The study findings indicate future surgical research on appropriate management for these problems in this patient population.