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Abstract Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia due to various degrees of insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion secondary to genetic and environmental factors which adversely affect β - cell function and tissue insulin sensitivity. The chronic hyperglycemia and altered cellular homeostasis associated with DM lead to diffuse vascular damage and multi-organ dysfunction. In the long term, patients with DM have the risk of developing both micro- and macrovascular complications. Microvascular complications (due to damage to small blood vessels) include diabetic kidney disease (DKD), diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy which are the major causes of renal insufficiency, blindness and non-traumatic lower limb amputation, respectively, while macrovascular complications (due to damage to larger blood vessels) are mainly represented by atherosclerotic disease and its manifestations, such as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), stroke, and coronary artery disease (CAD). Hypogonadism in males is a syndrome characterized by low serum testosterone levels and clinical symptoms which may include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and mood disturbances which can have a negative impact on the health and quality of life. |