ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To survey the presence of, and attitudes toward, erectile dysfunction (ED) among patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus who sought general medical care for any reason. METHODS: The abbreviated five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) was used to determine the presence of ED. A patient questionnaire was used to assess attitudes about ED. RESULTS: We surveyed 7689 patients (mean +/- SD age 58.9 +/- 9.2 years), including 6719 (87%) in a stable sexual relationship. In patients with hypertension alone (n = 3906) and diabetes alone (n = 2377), ED was reported by 2379 (61%) and 1603 (67%) and was present in 2634 (67%) and 1677 (71%), respectively, as defined by an IIEF-5 score of less than 21. The corresponding mean scores were 12.0 (+/-4.6) and 11.5 (+/-4.6) in patients with ED and 20.5 (+/-3.6) and 20.2 (+/-3.8) in those without ED. Prevalence was affected by disease characteristics and history, and the number and type of antihypertensive medications. ED was reported by 924 (78%) of 1186 patients with both diseases and was present in 917 (77%) according to the IIEF-5 score. Overall, ED was reported by 5063 patients (66%) with hypertension and/or diabetes, was present in 5391 (70%) according to the IIEF-5 score, and increased in prevalence with age. ED was fairly to very bothersome in 4027 (80%) but untreated in 3312 (65%), of whom 2278 (69%) wanted treatment. Most of those wanting treatment would have welcomed discussion with their physician (1861 [82%] of 2278), and most wanted their physician to broach the subject (1292 [69%] of 1861). CONCLUSIONS: Our study results have shown that patients with diabetes and/or hypertension have a high prevalence of bothersome untreated ED and want their general practitioner to initiate a discussion and provide treatment.
Subject(s)
Erectile Dysfunction/epidemiology , Aged , Comorbidity , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology , Humans , Hypertension/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Effective treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) are available, however, reestablishing erectile function does not necessarily reestablish a satisfying sexual relationship. To assess broader influences on treatment discontinuation than pure efficacy, we developed and psychometrically validated the Index of Sexual Life (ISL) to measure the impact of ED on female partners' sexuality. This 11-item instrument measures sexual life satisfaction, sexual drive and general life satisfaction. Good construct validity, criterion validity, and reproducibility were demonstrated. Female partners of men with ED report significantly lower levels of sexual satisfaction and sexual drive than those without ED. The ISL is successfully validated.
Subject(s)
Coitus/psychology , Erectile Dysfunction , Libido , Quality of Life , Sexual Partners/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires/standards , Adult , Aged , Erectile Dysfunction/psychology , Erectile Dysfunction/therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Personal Satisfaction , Prospective Studies , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Time Factors , Women's HealthABSTRACT
Using the Index of Sexual Life (ISL) questionnaire specifically designed to measure the impact of erectile dysfunction (ED) on female partners' sexuality, we demonstrated that ED has a negative impact on the sexual life of female partners, specifically on their sexual satisfaction and sexual drive. Further analyses showed lower sexual satisfaction and sexual drive for women reporting a disturbance or change in their own sexual lives than for women who did not. Older women had lower scores compared to younger women, independent of whether their partner had ED or not. The ISL will be useful in treatment decisions when assessing the couple's satisfaction with treatment for ED.