The Arabic Version of the Erection Hardness Score

Laparoscopic treatment of pudendal nerve and artery entrapment improves erectile dysfunction in healthy young males

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is increasingly becoming more common in young healthy males and is attributed mainly to psychogenic causes in these patients. Recent studies have reported that ED could be secondary to pudendal nerve or artery entrapment. This perspective assessed the efficacy of laparoscopic pudendal nerve and artery decompression in young patients suffering from refractory ED, associated to a pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome. After excluding patients with psychological ED and venous leakage, five young male patients with a history of both ED and pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome diagnosed based on the Nantes criteria were recruited. Pudendal nerve and artery release was performed using a laparoscopic transperitoneal approach. International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and erectile hardness score (EHS) improved significantly in all patients, 3 months after surgery. Pudendal nerve and artery entrapment could be therefore a reversible cause of ED in young healthy males, and its treatment by laparoscopic pudendal nerve and artery decompression seems to be safe and effective.

Arabic translation of Female Sexual Function Index and validation in an Egyptian population

INTRODUCTION

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent health problem that has been inadequately investigated in the Arab world. An Arabic assessment instrument for FSD is urgently needed.

AIM

To validate the Arabic version of the Female Sexual Function Index (ArFSFI).

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted between January and April 2010. Eight hundred and fifty-five women (16-60 years old) participated in the study. Validation was carried out on aspects of face, content, discriminant, and criterion (concurrent) validity. Construct validity was evaluated using principal component analysis. Reliability studies on test-retest and on internal consistency were conducted with Pearson correlation and Cronbach's alpha, respectively. The best cutoff point for the ArFSFI to differentiate cases and noncases was determined using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Parameters of validity and reliability of the ArFSFI and its domains.

RESULTS

ArFSFI total score and scores of various domains showed high test-retest reliability (r from 0.92 to 0.98). ArFSFI domains showed high internal consistency (α from 0.85 to 0.94). Six hundred and forty-four women (75.32%) met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, criteria for diagnosis of sexual dysfunction while 211 women (24.68%) showed normal function. The ArFSFI was found to have good discriminant validity. There were significant differences between the mean scores of women with sexual dysfunction and those of women without sexual dysfunction. A total score of 28.1 was taken as the cutoff point for the ArFSFI to distinguish between women with FSD and women with normal function (sensitivity 96.7%, specificity 93.2%). The ArFSFI showed an excellent overall performance (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.985, 95% confidence interval 0.978-0.992).

CONCLUSION

The ArFSFI is a validated, reliable, and locally accepted tool for use in the assessment of FSD in the Egyptian population.

A survey of erectile dysfunction in Taiwan: use of the erection hardness score and quality of erection questionnaire

INTRODUCTION

There are currently no studies in the Asia-Pacific region using the erection hardness score (EHS) and Quality of Erection Questionnaire (QEQ) to assess erectile dysfunction (ED).

AIMS

To provide up-to-date data on the prevalence of ED in Taiwanese men and to validate the EHS and QEQ in this population.

METHODS

A representative sample of 1,060 men aged ≥ 30 years completed a telephone interview. ED status was confirmed via direct questioning and using the abridged five-item version of the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Responses regarding EHS, QEQ, marital and sexual satisfaction, and attitude to treatment were also recorded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

IIEF, EHS, and QEQ.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ED, as defined by IIEF-5, was 27% among all respondents and 29% among those aged ≥ 40 years. Although, the prevalence of ED increased with age, men of all ages tended to underestimate their erectile problems. Among men who indicated that they did not have ED, 25% were found to have mild to moderate ED according to the IIEF-5 assessment. An EHS ≤ 3, indicating the presence of ED, was reported in 26% of men. The EHS was consistent with the QEQ: When the EHS was 4, the satisfaction of each domain of QEQ ranged from 85% to 90%. The QEQ score correlated well with the IIEF-5 score and significantly affected both sexual and marital satisfaction (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that EHS is a simple, practical tool for clinical use. QEQ scores appear to be independently associated with sexual and marital satisfaction, and may be of value in the assessment and monitoring of ED patients. While ED is a common health problem in Taiwan and the prevalence of ED increases with age, affected men lack awareness regarding the presence of erectile problems and the importance of initiating timely and effective treatment.