Bias in Evaluating Erectile Function in Lifelong Premature Ejaculation Patients with the International Index of Erectile Function-5

Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of abnormal meridians in erectile dysfunction patients based on infrared thermography: an electrophysiological technique study

An increasing body of research has demonstrated that appropriate stimulation of the meridians and acupoints in the human body can play a preventative and therapeutic role in diseases. This study combines the use of infrared thermography with intelligent electrophysiological diagnostic system (iEDS) to accurately diagnose and apply transdermal low-frequency electrical stimulation to treat abnormal meridians in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). The treatment protocol included 6 treatments (each lasting 30 min and performed twice a week). The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Erection Hardness Scale were used to assess treatment results. A total of 62 patients were included in this study, with 31 patients in the treatment group and 31 patients in the sham therapy group. After six treatments, the treatment group improved significantly in IIEF-5 (15.52 ± 2.06 vs. 18.84 ± 2.67, p < 0.001), PHQ-9 (8.32 ± 6.33 vs. 4.87 ± 4.41, p < 0.001), GAD-7 (5.32 ± 5.08 vs. 2.94 ± 3.31, p = 0.003), and EHS (2.48 (2.00, 3.00) vs. 2.90 (2.00, 3.00), p = 0.007). After six sham treatment sessions, no improvements in any of the scores were reported in the sham therapy group. Following that, this group had an additional six treatments of regular therapy, which resulted in statistically significant improvements in IIEF-5 (16.65 ± 1.96 VS. 19.16 ± 2.40, p < 0.001), PHQ-9 (8.81 ± 6.25 VS. 4.97 ± 4.36, p < 0.001), GAD-7 (5.74 ± 5.18 VS. 3.68 ± 3.42, p < 0.001), and EHS (2.61 (2.00, 3.00) VS. 3.03 (2.00, 4.00), p = 0.003). No adverse events were reported regarding penile discomfort, pain, injury, or deformity. CLINICAL TRIALS: The study protocol is registered in the Clinical Trials Registry with the identification number ChiCTR2300070262.

Colombian Clinical Validation of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5)

Background

Erectile dysfunction represents an important health problem and the instrument most frequently used for the evaluation of its evaluation is the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5).

Aim

Due to lack of adaptation and validation for Spanish-speaking populations, this study aimed to adapt and validate the Colombian version of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5).

Methods

Two independent samples were evaluated. One used to validate the scale and the other to calculate cut-off point of this version, with 2,021 men from the general population and outpatients from a clinic. The age range was 18 to 75 years old (M = 37.80; SD = 14.06). The second sample included 74 men, 64.9% did not meet DSM-5 criteria for erectile dysfunction, and 35.1% meet DSM-5 criteria to ED. Age range was 19 to 73 years old (M = 40.38; SD = 13.22).

Outcomes

All participants answered the Spanish versions of the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the Massachusetts General Health-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire.

Results

The Colombian version of IIEF-5 showed adequate psychometric properties, confirmed the one-dimension factorization of the scale, and showed adequate evidence of reliability and validity. Significant differences were observed in the IIEF-5 total score between the non-clinical and clinical groups who meet DSM-5 criteria for erectile dysfunction, with a large effect size. Also, the cut-off the Colombian version was set to 16, with an area under the curve of 94.9%.

Clinical Implications

The Colombian version of the IIEF-5 is a useful evaluation instrument that provides to determine the presence of erectile dysfunction compatible with DSM-5 criteria.

Strengths & Limitations

The inventory reports adequate psychometric properties, a confirmed one-dimensional structure, evidence of reliability and validity, and the first cut-off point for Hispanic populations. A more in-depth evaluation of the diagnosis of ED and thus replication in other Spanish-speaking countries and sexual minorities is recommended.

Conclusion

The Spanish version of the IIEF-5 is a useful evaluation tool for identifying erectile dysfunction, following DSM-5 criteria.

Vallejo-Medina P, Saffon JP, Álvarez-Muelas A Colombian Clinical Validation of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Sex Med 2022;10:100461.

Can We Rely Solely on the International Prostate Symptoms Score to Investigate Storage Symptoms in Men with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Associated with Benign Prostatic Enlargement? Findings from a Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Discrepancies exist between patient-reported storage phase symptoms severity and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) scores.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the Overactive Bladder questionnaire (OABq) can detect further storage phase lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among patients complaining solely of voiding LUTS based on the IPSS questionnaire, and to address the real-life impact of voiding LUTS towards patients' quality of life (QoL).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Data from 233 consecutive men seeking medical help for LUTS/benign prostate enlargement for the first time were analysed. All patients completed both the OABq and the IPSS questionnaire. In order to investigate patients with predominantly voiding phase symptoms, men with storage phase symptoms at IPSS were eventually excluded from the analysis. Patients with an OABq score of ≥40 were considered as those having moderate-to-severe storage LUTS.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Descriptive statistics and linear regression models tested the associations between OABq scores, IPSS, and IPSS-QoL.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

OABq scores were higher in men with severe voiding symptoms than in men with mild voiding symptoms (p < 0.001). More than half of patients with predominant voiding symptoms, according to the IPSS questionnaire, depicted a pathologic OABq score. A higher rate of pathologic OABq scores was found in men with moderate/severe voiding symptoms than in those with mild scores (67.4% vs 49.6%, p < 0.001). At multivariable analysis, younger age (beta -0.1, p < 0.01), IPSS voiding subscore (beta 0.3, p < 0.001), and OABq score ≥40 (beta 1.1, p < 0.001) emerged as independent predictors of IPSS-QoL after accounting for prostate volume and flow max.

CONCLUSIONS

The OABq can detect the presence of further storage phase LUTS in patients presenting solely with voiding LUTS and IPSS suggestive of voiding phase symptoms. In addition, the OABq was associated with worse patient QoL regardless of the severity of voiding symptoms.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The Overactive Bladder questionnaire (OABq) is able to detect the presence of additional storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients presenting solely with voiding LUTS according to the IPSS questionnaire. Moreover, the OABq is associated with worse quality of life in these patients regardless of the severity of voiding symptoms.

Is mild erectile dysfunction associated with severe psychological symptoms in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome?

This study aimed to assess the association between psychological disorders and erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with different degrees of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). This was a retrospective study conducted from June 2017 to October 2019 and included 182 outpatients. Patients were interviewed using the Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction (SIEDY) for pathogenic quantification. The National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) were used for the evaluation of CP/CPPS and ED. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms. The number of patients with mild CP/CPPS and mild ED, mild CP/CPPS and moderate-to-severe ED, moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS and mild ED, and moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS and moderate-to-severe ED was 69 (37.9%), 36 (19.8%), 35 (19.2%), and 42 (23.1%), respectively. The corresponding PHQ-9 scores of the four groups were 6.22, 7.19, 10.69, and 7.71, respectively. The corresponding GAD-7 scores of the four groups were 5.26, 6.31, 8.77, and 6.36, respectively. Among patients with moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS, the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores of the moderate-to-severe ED group were significantly lower than those of the mild ED group (P = 0.007 and P = 0.010, respectively). The prevalence of ED and premature ejaculation (PE) in patients with moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS was significantly higher than that in patients with mild CP/CPPS (P = 0.001 and P = 0.024, respectively). Our findings proved that the severity of ED was negatively associated with psychological symptoms in outpatients with moderate-to-severe CP/CPPS.

Penile sensory thresholds in subtypes of premature ejaculation: implications of comorbid erectile dysfunction

Penile hypersensitivity plays an important role in premature ejaculation (PE), but differences in penile sensitivity among subtypes of PE are unknown. Therefore, we compared penile sensory thresholds in PE subtypes of lifelong and acquired PE, PE with and without erectile dysfunction (ED), PE with an intravaginal ejaculation latency time ≤1 min and >1 min, and PE with and without orgasmic pleasure perceptual dysfunction. During August 2014 to January 2016, 136 patients with PE were included. Penile warm, cold, and vibratory thresholds were measured. Data of clinical characteristics, sexual life, Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) score, and the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score were collected. Vibratory thresholds of the PE with ED group were higher in the right coronal sulcus (median amplitude: 4.92 vs 3.65 μ m, P = 0.02) and the right penile shaft (median amplitude: 3.87 vs 3.30 μ m, P = 0.03), while differences in penile sensory thresholds between other subtypes were not significant. The median PEDT score was lower in the PE without ED group (12 vs 14, P < 0.001). The IIEF-5 and PEDT scores were negatively correlated (r = -0.29, P < 0.001). Patients with orgasmic pleasure perceptual dysfunction had a lower median IIEF-5 score (20 vs 21, P = 0.02). Patients with PE and ED had lower penile sensitivity, and ED was associated with more severe symptoms and weaker orgasmic pleasure perception. In men with PE, management of comorbid ED is necessary. In case of side effects in erectile function, topical anesthetics should be cautiously used in men with PE and ED.

The office management of ejaculatory disorders

Premature ejaculation (PE), delayed ejaculation (DE), anejaculation (AE) and retrograde ejaculation (RE) are four main ejaculatory disorders (EjDs) observed in clinical practice. Despite their high prevalence, EjDs remain underdiagnosed and undertreated. Primary care physicians should incorporate the discussion of sexual health topics into routine visits to facilitate EjD diagnosis and treatment. Because the causes of EjDs are multifactorial, the management of EjDs is etiology-specific and may require a holistic approach. Dapoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is the only drug approved for on-demand treatment of lifelong and acquired PE. In clinical practice, scheduled follow-up visits, risk factor treatment, appropriate dose escalation, adequate sexual attempts, patient education, and partner involvement are critical factors responsible for optimal overall management of PE and dapoxetine treatment outcomes.