Mapping patient education encounters in elective surgery: a cohort study and cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a process map of when patients learn about their proposed surgery and what resources patients use to educate themselves. DESIGN: A mixed methods design, combining semistructured stakeholder interviews, quantitative validation using electronic healthcare records (EHR) in a retrospective cohort and a cross-sectional patient survey. SETTING: A single surgical centre in the UK. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen members of the spinal multidisciplinary team were interviewed to develop the process map.This process map was validated using the EHR of 50 patients undergoing elective spine surgery between January and June 2022. Postprocedure, feedback was gathered from 25 patient surveys to identify which resources they used to learn about their spinal procedure. Patients below the age of 18 or who received emergency surgery were excluded. INTERVENTIONS: Elective spine surgery and patient questionnaires given postoperatively either on the ward or in follow-up clinic. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the percentage of the study cohort that was present at encounters on the process map. Key timepoints were defined if >80% of patients were present. The secondary outcome was the percentage of the study cohort that used educational resources listed in the patient questionnaire. RESULTS: There were 342 encounters which occurred across the cohort, with 16 discrete event categories identified. The initial surgical clinic (88%), anaesthetic preoperative assessment (96%) and admission for surgery (100%) were identified as key timepoints. Surveys identified that patients most used verbal information from their surgeon (100%) followed by written information from their surgeon (52%) and the internet (40%) to learn about their surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Process mapping is an effective method of illustrating the patient pathway. The initial surgical clinic, anaesthetic preoperative assessment and surgical admission are key timepoints where patients receive information. This has future implications for guiding patient education interventions to focus at key timepoints.

Early evaluation of a natural language processing tool to improve access to educational resources for surgical patients.

PURPOSE: Accessible patient information sources are vital in educating patients about the benefits and risks of spinal surgery, which is crucial for obtaining informed consent. We aim to assess the effectiveness of a natural language processing (NLP) pipeline in recognizing surgical procedures from clinic letters and linking this with educational resources. METHODS: Retrospective examination of letters from patients seeking surgery for degenerative spinal disease at a single neurosurgical center. We utilized MedCAT, a named entity recognition and linking NLP, integrated into the electronic health record (EHR), which extracts concepts and links them to systematized nomenclature of medicine-clinical terms (SNOMED-CT). Investigators reviewed clinic letters, identifying words or phrases that described or identified operations and recording the SNOMED-CT terms as ground truth. This was compared to SNOMED-CT terms identified by the model, untrained on our dataset. A pipeline linking clinic letters to patient-specific educational resources was established, and precision, recall, and F1 scores were calculated. RESULTS: Across 199 letters the model identified 582 surgical procedures, and the overall pipeline after adding rules a total of 784 procedures (precision = 0.94, recall = 0.86, F1 = 0.91). Across 187 letters with identified SNOMED-CT terms the integrated pipeline linking education resources directly to the EHR was successful in 157 (78%) patients (precision = 0.99, recall = 0.87, F1 = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: NLP accurately identifies surgical procedures in pre-operative clinic letters within an untrained subspecialty. Performance varies among letter authors and depends on the language used by clinicians. The identified procedures can be linked to patient education resources, potentially improving patients' understanding of surgical procedures.

Updating, correcting, and calibrating the narrative about premature ejaculation.

INTRODUCTION: The narrative surrounding premature ejaculation (PE) has developed and solidified over the past 25 years. Unfortunately, portions of that narrative are outdated and do not reflect more recent conceptualizations or empirical findings regarding this disorder. OBJECTIVE: In this review we sought to identify existing narratives about PE in need of updating and to provide revised narratives based on the recent research literature. METHOD: Five PE narratives in need of revision were identified, including: the prevalence of PE, age-related differences in PE prevalence, a validated ejaculation latency (EL) for diagnosing PE, differences between lifelong and acquired PE subtypes, and the application of PE definitions beyond penile-vaginal intercourse. Extensive literature searches provided information supporting both the original narrative and the need for a revised narrative based on both consideration of more recent studies and reinterpretation of studies conducted since the establishment of the original narratives. RESULTS: For each selected topic, the prevailing narrative based on the extant literature was first presented, followed by discussion of accumulating evidence that challenges the existing narrative. Each section ends with a suggested revised PE narrative. In 2 instances, the revised narrative required significant corrections (eg, PE prevalence, validated EL for diagnosing PE); in 2 instances, it expanded on the existing narrative (eg, PE subtype differences, inclusion of partnered sexual activities beyond penile-vaginal intercourse); and in 2 other instances, it backed off prior conclusions that have since required rethinking (eg, age-related changes in PE, PE subtype differences). Finally, a brief review of the 3-pronged criteria for PE (EL, ejaculatory control, and bother/distress) is presented and discussed. CONCLUSION: This review reiterates the dynamic state of research on PE and demonstrates the need for and value of ongoing research that not only addresses new issues surrounding this dysfunction but also challenges and revises some of the existing narratives about PE.

Limb and joint kinetics during walking in individuals with Mild-Moderate Parkinson's disease.

Given the known deficits in spatiotemporal aspects of gait for people with Parkinson's disease (PD), we sought to determine the underlying gait abnormalities in limb and joint kinetics, and examine how deficits in push-off and leg swing might contribute to the shortened step lengths for people with PD. Ten participants with PD and 11 age-matched control participants walked overground and on an instrumented treadmill. Participants with PD then walked on the treadmill with a posteriorly directed restraining force applied to 1) the pelvis to challenge push-off and 2) the ankles to challenge leg swing. Spatiotemporal, kinematic, and force data were collected and compared between groups and conditions. Despite group differences in spatiotemporal measures during overground walking, we did not observe these differences when the groups walked on a treadmill at comparable speeds. Nevertheless, the hip extension impulse appeared smaller in the PD group during their typical walking. When challenging limb propulsion, participants in the PD group maintained step lengths by increasing the propulsive impulse. Participants with PD were also able to maintain their typical step length against resistance intended to impede swing limb advancement, and even increased step lengths with cuing. The presence of reduced hip extension torque might be an early indicator of gait deterioration in this neurodegenerative disease. Our participants with PD were able to increase hip extension torque in response to needed demands. Additionally, participants with PD were able to increase limb propulsion and leg swing against resistance, suggesting a reserve in limb mechanics.

Do Ejaculation Latency and Other Sexual Measures Differ Between Men With Lifelong and Acquired Premature Ejaculation?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether men with lifelong vs acquired premature ejaculation (PE) subtypes differ on their estimated ejaculation latencies (EL) and related sexual, relationship, and behavioral parameters. METHODS: Of 2679 men who responded to an online multinational survey about sexual health and met inclusion criteria, 540 reported "probable" or "definite" PE, as assessed by the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool. Lifelong and acquired PE subtypes were compared on multiple measures related to EL, as well as on sets of demographic, diagnostic, relationship, sexual behavioral, and sexual functioning measures during both partnered sex and masturbation. RESULTS: Nearly 73% of men with PE in this sample reported the lifelong subtype. No differences emerged in EL measures between subtypes, even when parsed according to age. Specifically, men 37years or under with either definite lifelong or acquired PE reported ELs of 1.9 minutes (SD=1.3). For men over 37, lifelong ELs were 2.0 minutes (SD=1.3), acquired ELs 2.4 minutes (SD=1.4). While the lifelong subgroup was younger and reported lower erectile functioning, these differences occurred only in the probable PE group and not the definite PE group. CONCLUSION: Our data do not support different EL criteria for men with acquired vs lifelong PE, as suggested by several professional definitions. Furthermore, differences in age and erectile functioning between the groups, often reported in clinical samples though not in our definite PE group, may be an artifact of the general health/patient characteristics that lead such men to seek medical assistance.

Sexual Function and Satisfaction in the Context of Obesity.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Sexual dysfunction is commonly associated with overweight/obesity, but the underlying physiological and psychosocial mechanisms are not fully understood. This review contextualizes the obesity-sexual (dys)function relationship, describes recent insights from the medical and social science literature, and suggests opportunities for continued research. RECENT FINDINGS: Although sexual dysfunction has been historically evaluated as a consequence/outcome of obesity, it is increasingly considered as a harbinger of future metabolic comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Body image dissatisfaction is a consistent predictor for lower sexual satisfaction across BMI categories, likely mediated by cognitive distraction during partnered sex. To fully capture the relationship between obesity and sexual dysfunction, multidisciplinary research approaches are warranted. While clinically significant weight loss tends to improve sexual functioning for women and men, higher body image satisfaction may independently promote sexual function and satisfaction without concomitant weight loss.

Similarities and differences between men with self-reported lifelong and acquired difficulty reaching ejaculation.

Men with delayed ejaculation are often categorized into lifelong and acquired subtypes, yet little is known about similarities and differences between these groups. In this study, we examined whether delayed ejaculation subtypes differed on various demographic, diagnostic, relationship, and sexual activity/satisfaction variables. We drew 140 men reporting moderately-severe to severe difficulty reaching ejaculation during partnered sex (occurring during ≥75% of sexual events) from a convenience sample of over 3000 respondents obtained through an opt-in, multinational, online survey. Respondents were further classified as having lifelong or acquired delayed ejaculation based on self-report. A series of alpha-adjusted analyses of covariance were then made between subtypes on subsets of variables. In addition, the extent to which two potential confounding variables, age and erectile function, might have been responsible for subtype differences was explored. Results indicated that compared with men with acquired delayed ejaculation, men with lifelong delayed ejaculation were younger (28.6 vs 44.7 years, η2p = 0.30, P < 0.001), reported greater delayed ejaculation symptomology (4.31 vs 3.98, P < 0.01, η2p = 0.02), were less likely to attribute their problem to a medical issue or medication (1.7% vs 12.2%, P < 0.05), and more likely to masturbate for anxiety/distress reduction than for pleasure. In contrast, delayed ejaculation subtype differences related to masturbation frequency, pornography use during masturbation, and condom use disappeared when age and erectile functioning differences were statistically controlled. Overall, lifelong and acquired delayed ejaculation subtypes showed more similarities than differences. Findings worthy of clinical note were the lower level of endorsement of medical issues/medication by the lifelong subtype, their higher level of delayed ejaculation symptomology, and-despite a high level of anxiety/distress reported by both groups-their particular vulnerability to anxiety/distress as indicated by their strong motive to masturbate for anxiety/distress reduction (44.3% vs 19.6%, P < 0.05). Other differences between delayed ejaculation subtypes were better explained by group differences in age and erectile function than by subtype membership per se.

Self-reported reasons for having difficulty reaching orgasm in men with diverse etiologies.

Background: Difficulty reaching orgasm/ejaculation during partnered sex, a primary characteristic of delayed or absent ejaculation, affects about 5% to 10% of men, but the reasons underlying this problem are poorly understood. Aim: The study sought to gain insight into possible etiologies of delayed ejaculation by assessing men's self-perceptions as to why they experience difficulty reaching orgasm. Methods: We drew 351 men reporting moderately severe to severe difficulty reaching orgasm during partnered sex from a sample of over 3000 respondents obtained through an online survey. As part of the 55-item survey, participants responded to 2 questions asking about their self-perceived reasons for having difficulty reaching orgasm and selected from a list of 14 options derived from the research literature, a series of men's focus groups, and expert opinion. The first question allowed respondents to select all the reasons that they felt contributed to the problem, the second to select only the most important reason. In addition, both men with and without comorbid erectile dysfunction were investigated and compared. Outcomes: Hierarchical ordering of men's self-pereceived reasons for having difficulty reaching orgasm, including typal reasons established through principal component analysis. Results: The major reasons for difficulty were related to anxiety/distress and lack of adequate stimulation, with relationship and other factors endorsed with lower frequency. Further exploration using principal components analysis identified 5 typal reasons, in descending order of frequency: anxiety/distress (41%), inadequate stimulation (23%), low arousal (18%), medical issues (9%), and partner issues (8%). Few differences emerged between men with and without comorbid ED other than ones related to erectile problems, such as higher level of endorsement of medical issues. Typal reasons showed correlations, albeit mostly weak, with a number of covariates, including sexual relationship satisfaction, frequency of partnered sex, and frequency of masturbation. Clinical Implications: Until supplemental medical treatments for delayed ejaculation are developed and approved, a number of men's purported reasons for difficult or absent ejaculation/orgasm-anxiety/distress, inadequate stimulation, low arousal, relationship issues-fall into areas that can be addressed in couples counseling by a trained sex therapist. Strengths and Limitations: This study is unique in scope and robust in sample size. Drawbacks include those associated with online surveys, including possible bias in sample selection, limitation to Western-based samples, and the lack of differentiation between men with lifelong and acquired difficulty. Conclusion: Men who have difficulty reaching ejaculation/orgasm identify putative reasons for their problem, ranging from anxiety/stress, inadequate stimulation, and low arousal to partner issues and medical reasons.

Why Men Masturbate: Reasons and Correlates in Men with and without Sexual Dysfunction.

Men purportedly masturbate for a variety of reasons, but systematic investigation of men's reasons has been lacking. We analyzed reasons why men masturbate (n = 2967, mean age = 37.7, SD = 12.9), whether men with and without sexual problems differ in their reasons, and whether those reasons vary with the frequency of masturbation and partnered sex. Results indicated that deriving pleasure, decreasing sexual tension, and reducing anxiety/stress were among the top motives, whereas partner issues were cited less frequently. Men with sexual dysfunctions showed only minor differences from men without sexual dysfunctions, the former more often citing anxiety/stress reduction as a motive. In addition, samples tapping participants from two world regions showed only minor differences in their patterns of responding. Motives for masturbation were also related to both the frequency of masturbation and the frequency of partnered sex. Overall, these findings indicate that men, like women, masturbate primarily for the positive reinforcing effects of pleasure, but in contrast with women, men are also more likely to use masturbation for the negatively reinforcing effects of reducing anxiety/distress. Unsatisfying sex with the partner and/or relationship issues were cited as a reason for masturbation in only a minority of men.

Identifying an optimal ejaculation latency for the diagnosis of men reporting orgasmic/ejaculation difficulty.

BACKGROUND: Criteria for the definition and diagnosis of delayed ejaculation (DE) are yet under consideration. AIM: This study sought to determine an optimal ejaculation latency (EL) threshold for the diagnosis of men with DE by exploring the relationship between various ELs and independent characterizations of delayed ejaculation. METHODS: In a multinational survey, 1660 men, with and without concomitant erectile dysfunction (ED) and meeting inclusion criteria, provided information on their estimated EL, measures of DE symptomology, and other covariates known to be associated with DE. OUTCOMES: We determined an optimal diagnostic EL threshold for men with DE. RESULTS: The strongest relationship between EL and orgasmic difficulty occurred when the latter was defined by a combination of items related to difficulty reaching orgasm and percent of successful episodes in reaching orgasm during partnered sex. An EL of ≥16 minutes provided the greatest balance between measures of sensitivity and specificity; a latency ≥11 minutes was the best threshold for tagging the highest number/percentage of men with the severest level of orgasmic difficulty, but this threshold also demonstrated lower specificity. These patterns persisted even when explanatory covariates known to affect orgasmic function/dysfunction were included in a multivariate model. Differences between samples of men with and without concomitant ED were negligible. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In addition to assessing a man's difficulty reaching orgasm/ejaculation during partnered sex and the percent of episodes reaching orgasm, an algorithm for the diagnosis of DE should consider an EL threshold in order to control diagnostic errors. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This study is the first to specify an empirically supported procedure for diagnosing DE. Cautions include the use of social media for participant recruitment, relying on estimated rather than clocked EL, not testing for differences between DE men with lifelong vs acquired etiologies, and the lower specificity associated with using the 11-minute criterion that could increase the probability of including false positives. CONCLUSION: In diagnosing men with DE, after establishing a man's difficulty reaching orgasm/ejaculation during partnered sex, using an EL of 10 to 11 minutes will help control type 2 (false negative) diagnostic errors when used in conjunction with other diagnostic criteria. Whether or not the man has concomitant ED does not appear to affect the utility of this procedure.

Characteristics of men who report symptoms of delayed ejaculation: providing support for empirically derived diagnostic criteria.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding the demographic, sexual, and relationship characteristics of men with symptoms of delayed ejaculation (DE). AIM: To identify differences between men with and without DE symptomology to validate face-valid diagnostic criteria and to identify various functional correlates of DE. METHODS: A total of 2679 men meeting inclusion criteria were partitioned into groups with and without DE symptomology on the basis of their self-reported "difficulty reaching ejaculation/orgasm during partnered sex." Men were then compared on a broad array of demographic and relationship variables, as well as sexual response variables assessed during partnered sex and masturbation. OUTCOMES: Outcomes included the identified differences between men with and without DE symptomology. RESULTS: Men with DE-whether having comorbid erectile dysfunction or not-differed from men without DE on 5 face-valid variables related to previously proposed diagnostic criteria for DE, including ones related to ejaculation latency (P < .001); self-efficacy related to reaching ejaculation, as assessed by the percentage of episodes reaching ejaculation during partnered sex (P < .001); and negative consequences of the impairment, including "bother/distress" and (lack of) "orgasmic pleasure/sexual satisfaction" (P < .001). All such differences were associated with medium to large effect sizes. In addition, men showed differences on a number of functional correlates of DE, including anxiety, relationship satisfaction, frequency of partnered sex and masturbation, and level of symptomology during partnered sex vs masturbation (P < .001). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Face-valid criteria for the diagnosis of DE were statistically verified, and functional correlates of DE relevant to guiding and focusing treatment were identified. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: In this first comprehensive analysis of its kind, we have demonstrated widespread differences on sexual and relationship variables relevant to the diagnosis of DE and to its functional correlates between men with and without DE symptomology during partnered sex. Limitations include participant recruitment through social media, which likely biased the sample; the use of estimated rather than clocked ejaculation latencies; and the fact that differences between men with acquired and lifelong DE were not investigated. CONCLUSION: This well-powered multinational study provides strong empirical support for several face-valid measures for the diagnosis of DE, with a number of explanatory and control covariates that may help shed light on the lived experiences of men with DE and suggest focus areas for treatment. Whether or not the DE men had comorbid erectile dysfunction had little impact on the differences with men having normal ejaculatory functioning.

Do pornography use and masturbation play a role in erectile dysfunction and relationship satisfaction in men?

Both masturbation frequency and pornography use during masturbation have been hypothesized to interfere with sexual response during partnered sex as well as overall relationship satisfaction. However, results from prior studies have been inconsistent and frequently based on case studies, clinical reports, and simple binary analyses. The current study investigated the relationships among masturbation frequency, pornography use, and erectile functioning and dysfunction in 3586 men (mean age = 40.8 yrs, SE = 0.22) within a multivariate context that assessed sexual dysfunctions using standardized instruments and that included other covariates known to affect erectile functioning. Results indicated that frequency of pornography use was unrelated to either erectile functioning or erectile dysfunction (ED) severity in samples that included ED men with and without various sexual comorbidities or in a subset of men 30 years or younger (p = 0.28-0.79). Masturbation frequency was also only weakly and inconsistently related to erectile functioning or ED severity in the multivariate analyses (p = 0.11-0.39). In contrast, variables long known to affect erectile response emerged as the most consistent and salient predictors of erectile functioning and/or ED severity, including age (p < 0.001), having anxiety/depression (p < 0.001 except for a subset of men ≤ 30 years), having a chronic medical condition known to affect erectile functioning (p < 0.001 except for a subset of men ≤ 30 years), low sexual interest (p < 0.001), and low relationship satisfaction (p ≤ 0.04). Regarding sexual and relationship satisfaction, poorer erectile functioning (p < 0.001), lower sexual interest (p < 0.001), anxiety/depression (p < 0.001), and higher frequency of masturbation (p < 0.001) were associated with lower sexual and lower overall relationship satisfaction. In contrast, frequency of pornography use did not predict either sexual or relationship satisfaction (p ≥ 0.748). Findings of this study reiterate the relevance of long-known risk factors for understanding diminished erectile functioning while concomitantly indicating that masturbation frequency and pornography use show weak or no association with erectile functioning, ED severity, and relationship satisfaction. At the same time, although verification is needed, we do not dismiss the idea that heavy reliance on pornography use coupled with a high frequency of masturbation may represent a risk factor for diminished sexual performance during partnered sex and/or relationship satisfaction in subsets of particularly vulnerable men (e.g., younger, less experienced).

Understanding Serial Mediators of Problematic Pornography Use in Pakistani Men and Women.

In the current digital environment, satisfying sexual needs via Internet pornography use has the potential to develop into a problem that affects one's psychological health and daily functioning. The aim of this study was to examine potential cognitive and affective factors that could help explain the maintenance and exacerbation of self-defined problematic internet pornography use. METHODS: 280 Pakistani men and women (mean age = 25.40; SD = 5.271, range 18-50) who were current pornography users were recruited through social networking sites (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp groups) to participate in an online study about pathways to problematic pornography use (PPU). Structural equation modeling was used to estimate path analysis coefficients extending from predisposing variables (depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and loneliness) to PPU via the mediating variables of craving, dysfunctional sexual coping, and stimulus-specific inhibitory control. RESULTS: Craving mediated the relationship between three predisposing variables (depression, anxiety, and self-esteem) and PPU, though not the fourth, namely loneliness. Indirect effects of depression, anxiety, and self-esteem were significantly linked to PPU through two serial mediation pathways: (a) craving and stimulus-specific inhibitory control, and (b) craving and dysfunctional sexual coping. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that craving, stimulus-specific inhibitory control, and dysfunctional coping serve as important mediators in maintaining and exacerbating the cycle between negative predisposing variables and PPU. These results are interpreted within the general framework of therapeutic interventions that can help develop positive coping skills in individuals seeking to alter self-perceived bothersome or unwanted habits related to pornography use.

Motives that Mediate the Associations Between Relationship Satisfaction, Orgasmic Difficulty, and the Frequency of Faking Orgasm.

INTRODUCTION: Faking orgasm by women reportedly occurs quite frequently, with both relationship characteristics and orgasmic difficulty being significant predictors. AIM: We explored women's motives that might mediate the associations between orgasmic difficulty and relationship satisfaction on the one hand, with the frequency of faking orgasm on the other. METHODS: In a study of 360 Hungarian women who reported "ever" faking orgasm during partnered sex, we assessed the direct and indirect (mediated) associations between orgasmic difficulty, relationship satisfaction, and the frequency of faking orgasm. OUTCOMES: Determination of motives that mediate the association between orgasmic difficulty and the frequency of faking orgasm, and the association between relationship satisfaction and the frequency of faking orgasm. RESULTS: Increased orgasmic difficulty was directly related to increased frequency of faking orgasm (ß = 0.37; P < .001), and each variable itself was related to a number of motives for faking orgasm. However, the only motive assessed in our study that mediated the relationship between orgasmic difficulty and the frequency of faking orgasm was insecurity about being perceived as abnormal or dysfunctional (indirect effect: ß = 0.13; P < .001). A similar pattern emerged with relationship satisfaction and frequency of faking orgasm. These two variables were directly related in that lower relationship satisfaction predicted higher frequency of faking orgasm (ß = -0.15; P = .008). Furthermore, while each variable itself was related to a number of motives for faking orgasm, the only motive assessed in our study that mediated the relationship between the 2 variables was insecurity about being perceived as abnormal or dysfunctional (indirect effect: ß = -0.06; P = .008). CLINICAL TRANSLATION: Insecurity related to being perceived as abnormal or deficient, along with sexual communication, should be addressed in women with a history of faking orgasm but who want to cease doing so. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The sample was relatively large and the online survey adhered to best practices. Nevertheless, bias may result in sample characteristics when recruitment is achieved primarily through social media. In addition, the cross-sectional sample prevented causal determination and represented Western-based values. CONCLUSIONS: The associations between orgasmic difficulty and faking orgasm, and between relationship satisfaction and faking orgasm, are both direct and indirect (mediated). The primary motive for mediating the indirect association between the predictor variables and the frequency of faking orgasm was the insecurity about being perceived as deficient or abnormal. Hevesi K, Horvath Z, Miklos E, et al. Motives that Mediate the Associations Between Relationship Satisfaction, Orgasmic Difficulty, and the Frequency of Faking Orgasm. Sex Med 2022;10:100568.

Linking gait mechanics with perceived quality of life and participation after stroke.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with hemiparesis following stroke often experience a decline in the paretic limb's anteriorly directed ground reaction force during walking (i.e., limb propulsive force). Gait speed and walking capacity have been independently associated with paretic limb propulsion, quality of life, and participation in people with stroke. However, it is unclear as to the extent that underlying limb mechanics (i.e., propulsion) play in influencing perceptions of quality of life and participation. We therefore sought to determine the role of limb propulsion during gait on the perception of quality of life and participation in people following stroke. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of individuals involved in a gait retraining randomized control trial. Gait speed, walking capacity, limb propulsion, Stroke Impact Scale, and average daily step counts were assessed prior to and following 6 weeks of training. The pre-training data from 40 individuals were analyzed cross-sectionally using Pearson and Spearman correlations, to evaluate the potential relationship between limb propulsion (ratio of paretic limb propulsion to total propulsion) with gait speed, gait capacity, perceived quality of life domains, and average daily step counts. Partial correlations were used to control for gait speed. Thirty-one individuals were assessed longitudinally for the same relationships. RESULTS: We observed a training effect for gait speed, walking capacity, and some quality of life measures. However, after controlling for gait speed, we observed no significant (p≤0.05) correlations in the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. SIGNIFICANCE: After controlling for the influence of gait speed, paretic limb propulsion is not directly related to perceived quality of life or participation. Although limb propulsion may not have a direct effect on participant's perceived quality of life, it appears to be an important factor to enhance gait performance, and therefore may be important to target in rehabilitation, when feasible.

Does Bother/Distress Contribute to the Diagnosis of Premature Ejaculation?

INTRODUCTION: The role of bother/distress in the diagnosis of premature ejaculation (PE) has received minimal investigation compared with the 2 other diagnostic criteria, ejaculatory control and ejaculatory latency (EL). AIM: This study assessed (i) the added variance explained by bother/distress to the diagnostic accuracy of PE and (ii) determined its overall contribution to a PE diagnosis. METHODS: The 3 diagnostic criteria for PE were assessed in 2,589 men (mean age = 38.2 years, SD = 13.5) in order to determine the contribution of each factor to a dysfunctional diagnosis. A series of regression and discriminant analyses were used to assess the value of bother/distress in explaining ejaculatory control and in predicting accuracy of PE group status. Commonality analysis was used to determine the relative contribution of each of these factors to the diagnosis of PE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The major outcome was the quantified contribution of "bother/distress" to a PE diagnosis. RESULTS: Bother/distress accounted for about 3-4% of the variation in ejaculatory control and added only minimally to the prediction accuracy of PE group status (no, probable, definite PE). Commonality analysis indicated that bother/distress comprised about 3.6% of the unique explained variation in the PE diagnosis, compared with ejaculatory control and EL which contributed 54.5% and 26.7%, respectively. Common variance among factors contributed the remaining 15.5% to the PE diagnosis. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: Bother/distress contributes least to the determination of a PE diagnosis. Its contribution is largely redundant with the unique and combined contributions of ejaculatory control and EL. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Using a well-powered and multivariate analysis, this study parsed out the relative contributions of the 3 diagnostic criteria to a PE diagnosis. The study is limited by its use of estimated EL, a single item assessment of bother/distress, and the lack of differentiation of PE subtypes, lifelong and acquired. CONCLUSION: Bother/distress contributes minimally to the PE diagnosis, yet its assessment may be key to understanding the experiences of the patient/couple and to developing an effective treatment strategy. Rowland DL, McNabney SM, Hevesi K. Does Bother/Distress Contribute to the Diagnosis of Premature Ejaculation?. Sex Med 2022;10:100548.

The Tenuous Role of Distress in the Diagnosis of Premature Ejaculation: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Unlike the other 2 criteria for diagnosing premature ejaculation (PE), namely lack of ejaculatory control and short ejaculation latency (EL), the role of bother/distress has received only minimal consideration and investigation. AIM: The specific aim was to determine both why distress is included in the PE diagnosis and whether such inclusion is advantageous to achieving better diagnostic outcomes. To this end, the review explored the historical and theoretical underpinnings of the inclusion of "bother/ distress" in the diagnosis of PE, with reference to the larger role that distress has played in the diagnosis of mental disorders, in an attempt to understand the utility (or lack thereof) of this construct in making a PE diagnosis. METHODS: We reviewed the role of bother/distress across current professional definitions for PE and then expanded this discussion to include the role of distress in other sexual dysfunctions. We then included a brief historical perspective regarding the role that distress has played in the diagnosis of PE. This discussion is followed by a deeper look at 2 nosological systems, namely DSM and ICD, to allow perspective on the inclusion of the bother/distress construct in the diagnosis of mental and behavioral disorders, including the assumptions/arguments put forward to include or exclude bother/distress as an important criterion underlying various professional assumptions. OUTCOME: Determination of the value and/or need of including bother/distress as a necessary criterion for the diagnosis of PE. RESULTS: Based on the research literature, bother/distress does not appear to be as critical for a PE diagnosis as either the lack of ejaculatory control or short EL. It is the weakest of the differences among men with and without PE, and recent evidence suggests that its inclusion is generally redundant with the severity of the 2 other criteria for PE, ejaculatory control and EL. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: Bother/distress appears to serve little purpose in the diagnosis of PE yet its assessment may be important for the treatment strategy and for assessing treatment effectiveness. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This review did not provide a critical analysis of the literature regarding the role of bother/distress in PE, but rather focused on its potential value in understanding and diagnosing PE. CONCLUSION: Although bother/distress appears to add little to the improvement of accuracy for a PE diagnosis, understanding and assessing the man's or couple's experience of distress has important implications for the treatment strategy and focus, as well as for assessing treatment success. Rowland DL, Cooper SE. The Tenuous Role of Distress in the Diagnosis of Premature Ejaculation: A Narrative Review. Sex Med 2022;10:100546.

Are the Criteria for the Diagnosis of Premature Ejaculation Applicable to Gay Men or Sexual Activities Other than Penile-Vaginal Intercourse?

INTRODUCTION: The criteria for premature ejaculation (PE) have generally been limited to the diagnosis of heterosexual men engaging in penile-vaginal intercourse and therefore the applicability of PE diagnostic criteria to gay men and to activities beyond penile-vaginal intercourse has yet to be explored in depth. AIM: To compare the prevalence of PE in gay and straight men and to assess whether PE-related diagnostic measures (ejaculatory control, ejaculation latency [EL], and bother/distress) can be applied with confidence to gay men or to men engaging in sexual activities other than penile-vaginal intercourse. METHODS: Gay and straight participants (n = 3878) were recruited to take an online survey assessing sexual orientation, sexual function/dysfunction (including specific PE-related measures), sexual relationship satisfaction, and various other sexual behaviors during partnered sex or masturbation. OUTCOMES: Comparison of ejaculatory control, EL, and bother/distress across gay and straight men, as well as across different types of sexual activities. RESULTS: A slightly lower PE prevalence among gay men became undetectable when other predictors of prevalence were included in a multivariate analysis (aOR = 0.87 [95% CI: 0.60-1.22]). Gay men with PE reported longer typical ELs (zU = -3.35, P < .001) and lower distress (zU = 3.68, P < .001) relative to straight men, but longer ELs and lower distress were also associated with anal sex. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: Clinicians can feel confident about using existing criteria for the diagnosis of PE in gay men but should be aware of potentially longer ELs and lower PE-related bother/distress-probably related to the practice of anal sex-compared with straight men. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Although well-powered and international in scope, this study was limited by biases inherent to online surveys, the lack of a sizable sample of bisexual men, and a lack of differentiation between men with acquired vs lifelong PE. CONCLUSIONS: Irrespective of sexual orientation, gay and straight men with PE reported shorter ELs, lower satisfaction, and greater bother/distress than functional counterparts. While PE-related diagnostic criteria (ejaculatory control, EL, and bother/distress) are applicable to gay men, accommodation for longer ELs and lower bother/distress in gay men should be considered. McNabney SM, Weseman CE, Hevesi K, et al. Are the Criteria for the Diagnosis of Premature Ejaculation Applicable to Gay Men or Sexual Activities Other than Penile-Vaginal Intercourse?. Sex Med 2022;10:100516.