Which condition is associated with a higher risk of balanitis?

Balanitis is an inflammation of the glans (the head) of the penis, and one of the primary conditions associated with a higher risk of developing balanitis is diabetes mellitus. Individuals with diabetes often experience elevated blood glucose levels, which can lead to increased glucose availability in urine. This high sugar content can create a conducive environment for fungal infections, especially by Candida species. Additionally, diabetes may impair the immune response, making it more challenging for the body to combat infections and inflammation effectively.

Moreover, men with uncontrolled diabetes may have physical changes such as phimosis (tightness of the foreskin) that can also contribute to the development of balanitis. The combination of these factors significantly increases the risk of this condition among individuals with diabetes compared to those with other listed conditions, such as renal insufficiency, Graves' disease, or asthma, which do not inherently increase the risk of balanitis in the same way.