Management of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation: The perspective of Spanish urologists. Results of the PANDORA Project (Part II) / Manejo de la disfunción eréctil y la eyaculación precoz: la perspectiva de los urólogos españoles. Resultados del Proyecto PANDORA (Parte II)

Introduction: ED and PE are the most common male sexual dysfunctions, although they remain underdiagnosed and undertreated. Aim: To ascertain how a group of Spanish urologists currently address ED and PE. Methods: Descriptive study based on a self-designed questionnaire about the clinical practice in ED and PE upon diagnosis, treatment and monitoring, patient–physician relationship and the role of the patient's partner. Results: The survey was completed by 188 experienced urologists. Most patients went to the urologist's office without a previous diagnosis (92% of the urologists found <10 PE-diagnosed patients in public settings). The diagnosis of ED and/or PE was mainly carried out by the current urologist and not by another professional, particularly in private centres as opposed to public centres (78.8% vs 57.0% for ED; 82.0% vs 62.6% for PE). Most urologists believed that these disorders are underdiagnosed and deemed them as general health issues. 38% of urologists acknowledged using validated questionnaires to diagnose ED. PE was considered a subjective problem rather than a true disease and the use of PRO-based diagnosis of PE was not generally accepted (14%). Treatment options of both disorders were chosen as expected. Referral to the andrologist is usually scheduled in moderate-to-severe PE or severe ED. The cohort seemed to be mostly neutral (50%–75% for ED and 40%–55% for PE) regarding patient reluctancy to talk about their sexual problem. Patients’ partners play an important role in helping men seeking treatment. (AU)

Introducción: A pesar de que, la DE y la EP son las disfunciones sexuales masculinas más frecuentes, siguen estando infradiagnosticadas e infratratadas. Objetivo: Conocer cómo es el abordaje actual de la DE y la EP, a partir de un grupo de urólogos españoles. Método: Estudio descriptivo, mediante un cuestionario predefinido, con relación a la práctica clínica de la DE y la EP, incluyendo su diagnóstico, su tratamiento y su seguimiento, la relación médico-paciente y el papel de la pareja. Resultados: Ciento ochenta y ocho urólogos expertos dieron respuesta al cuestionario predefinido. La mayoría de los pacientes acudieron a la consulta del urólogo sin un diagnóstico previo (el 92% de los urólogos hallaron <10 pacientes diagnosticados de PE en el ámbito público). El diagnóstico de la DE y/o la EP fue realizado mayoritariamente por el urólogo, y no por otro profesional, especialmente en el ámbito privado frente al público (78,8 frente al 57,0% para la DE; 82,0 frente al 62,6% para la EP). La gran mayoría de los urólogos señalaron que ambas disfunciones estaban siendo infradiagnosticadas y, por tanto, las consideraron como un problema de salud general. El 38% de los urólogos indicó utilizar cuestionarios validados para el diagnóstico de la DE. La EP se percibió como un problema subjetivo más que como una verdadera enfermedad, y el uso de PRO en el diagnóstico de la EP no fue generalmente aceptado (14%). La elección de las opciones de tratamiento de ambas disfunciones aconteció según lo esperado. Se consideró la derivación a andrología en los casos de la EP moderada-grave o en los casos de la DE grave. En cuanto a la reticencia de los pacientes a hablar de su problema sexual, la respuesta fue mayoritariamente neutra (50-75% para la DE y 40-55% para la EP). Las parejas de los pacientes desempeñan un papel importante en el momento que estos buscan opciones de tratamiento. (AU)

An observational, national and multicentric study to describe the detection, diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation from the patient's perspective / Estudio observacional, nacional y multicéntrico, para describir la detección, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la disfunción eréctil y la eyaculación precoz desde la perspectiva del paciente

Introduction and objectives: To examine the opinions, attitudes and perceptions of patients regarding the diagnosis and treatment protocols of erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) and their interaction with the urology specialists. Material and methods: Observational, national and multicentric study based on a self-designed online questionnaire in which ED and PE patients described their perception of ED and PE at diagnosis and during treatment and monitoring, the patient-physician relationship and the role of the patient's partner in the course of the disease. Results: 306 ED and 70 PE participants were recruited. After the occurrence of the first symptoms, the time elapsed until the patient decided to go to the doctor was 28.6 months for PE and 14.0 months for ED (p<0.001). ED patients saw physicians more frequently (especially those aged between 60 and 69 years: 60.7%, p<0.001) than PE patients (52.1% vs 36.8%, respectively; p<0.001) and discussed this problem with their partner more (34.0% vs 22.8%, p<0.001). These disorders were mainly diagnosed at the urologist's office (ED: 74.8% vs 42.5%; PE: 75.7% vs 34.3%; diagnosis vs detection). One third of all participants reported that the sexual problem was not the main reason for the visit. The time elapsed between the first consultation for related symptoms and therapy was 8.7 months (oral drugs) and 7.6 months (dapoxetine) for ED and PE, respectively. ED patients and their partners felt particularly better once treatment had started (p<0.001). PE patients presented the highest degree of sexual dissatisfaction (78%). 50% of the patients agreed with the statement that initiating a discussion about sexual concerns was regarded as taboo and most of them did not say that their partner had encouraged them to seek medical advice. (AU)

Introducción y objetivos: Analizar las opiniones, actitudes y percepciones de los pacientes respecto a los protocolos de diagnóstico y tratamiento de la disfunción eréctil (DE) y la eyaculación precoz (EP) así como su interacción con los especialistas en urología. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, nacional y multicéntrico, a través de un cuestionario online predefinido, en el que los pacientes con DE y EP describieron su percepción acerca de la DE y la EP, en el diagnóstico, durante el tratamiento y seguimiento, así como la relación médico-paciente y el papel de la pareja en el trascurso de la enfermedad. Resultados: Se incluyeron 306 participantes con DE y 70 con PE. El tiempo transcurrido, desde la aparición de los primeros síntomas hasta que el paciente decidió acudir al médico, fue de 28,6 meses para la EP y de 14,0 meses para la DE (p < 0,001). Los pacientes con DE acudieron al médico con mayor frecuencia (especialmente en edades entre 60 y 69 años: 60,7%, p < 0,001) respecto a los pacientes con EP (52,1 vs. 36,8%, respectivamente; p < 0,001) y comentaron más el problema con su pareja (34,0 vs. 22,8%, p < 0,001). El diagnóstico de ambas disfunciones se llevó a cabo principalmente en consultas de urología (DE: 74,8 vs. 42,5%; EP: 75,7 vs. 34,3%; diagnóstico vs. detección). Una tercera parte de todos los participantes indicó que el problema sexual no motivó principalmente la visita. El tiempo transcurrido, desde la primera consulta motivada por síntomas relacionados y el establecimiento de terapia, fue de 8,7 meses (fármacos orales) y 7,6 meses (dapoxetina) para la DE y la EP, respectivamente. Los pacientes con EP presentaron mayor grado de insatisfacción sexual (78%). De los pacientes estudiados, 50% mostró acuerdo con la afirmación de que iniciar una conversación sobre las preocupaciones sexuales se consideraba un tabú y la mayoría reconoció que su pareja no le había animado a la hora de buscar consejo médico. (AU)

Management of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation: The perspective of Spanish urologists. Results of the PANDORA Project (Part II).

INTRODUCTION: ED and PE are the most common male sexual dysfunctions, although they remain underdiagnosed and undertreated. AIM: To ascertain how a group of Spanish urologists currently address ED and PE. METHODS: Descriptive study based on a self-designed questionnaire about the clinical practice in ED and PE upon diagnosis, treatment and monitoring, patient-physician relationship and the role of the patient's partner. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 188 experienced urologists. Most patients went to the urologist's office without a previous diagnosis (92% of the urologists found <10 PE-diagnosed patients in public settings). The diagnosis of ED and/or PE was mainly carried out by the current urologist and not by another professional, particularly in private centres as opposed to public centres (78.8% vs 57.0% for ED; 82.0% vs 62.6% for PE). Most urologists believed that these disorders are underdiagnosed and deemed them as general health issues. 38% of urologists acknowledged using validated questionnaires to diagnose ED. PE was considered a subjective problem rather than a true disease and the use of PRO-based diagnosis of PE was not generally accepted (14%). Treatment options of both disorders were chosen as expected. Referral to the andrologist is usually scheduled in moderate-to-severe PE or severe ED. The cohort seemed to be mostly neutral (50%-75% for ED and 40%-55% for PE) regarding patient reluctancy to talk about their sexual problem. Patients' partners play an important role in helping men seeking treatment. CONCLUSION: Urologists should show more proactivity during anamnesis and routine visits to improve management of ED and PD.

An observational, national and multicentric study to describe the detection, diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation from the patient's perspective.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To examine the opinions, attitudes and perceptions of patients regarding the diagnosis and treatment protocols of erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) and their interaction with the urology specialists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, national and multicentric study based on a self-designed online questionnaire in which ED and PE patients described their perception of ED and PE at diagnosis and during treatment and monitoring, the patient-physician relationship and the role of the patient's partner in the course of the disease. RESULTS: 306 ED and 70 PE participants were recruited. After the occurrence of the first symptoms, the time elapsed until the patient decided to go to the doctor was 28.6 months for PE and 14.0 months for ED (p<0.001). ED patients saw physicians more frequently (especially those aged between 60 and 69 years: 60.7%, p<0.001) than PE patients (52.1% vs 36.8%, respectively; p<0.001) and discussed this problem with their partner more (34.0% vs 22.8%, p<0.001). These disorders were mainly diagnosed at the urologist's office (ED: 74.8% vs 42.5%; PE: 75.7% vs 34.3%; diagnosis vs detection). One third of all participants reported that the sexual problem was not the main reason for the visit. The time elapsed between the first consultation for related symptoms and therapy was 8.7 months (oral drugs) and 7.6 months (dapoxetine) for ED and PE, respectively. ED patients and their partners felt particularly better once treatment had started (p<0.001). PE patients presented the highest degree of sexual dissatisfaction (78%). 50% of the patients agreed with the statement that initiating a discussion about sexual concerns was regarded as taboo and most of them did not say that their partner had encouraged them to seek medical advice. CONCLUSION: A concerted effort is called for to expand ED and PE patients' proactivity in taking care of their own and their partner's sexual health. Current therapies would appear to have a benefit in couples' sexual relationships.