Female Assessment of Male Erectile Dysfunction Detection Scale (FAME): Development and Validation

Abstract

Introduction Although erectile dysfunction (ED) affects both members of the couple, no tools exist for the detection of ED by the female partner. Aim The aim of this study was to develop a scale for the detection of ED, as assessed by the female partner. Methods Development and validation of the Female Assessment of Male Erectile dysfunction detection scale (FAME) consisted of five stages: (i) two focus group discussions conducted among female partners of ED sufferers; (ii) item construction; (iii) initial content validation to document face validity and reduce number of items; (iv) final selection of items and investigation of concurrent validity and reliability, sensitivity and specificity of the scale in 83 Spanish-speaking couples; and (v) multicenter study conducted in a group of 106 English-speaking couples. Concurrent validity was assessed using Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients between FAME and clinical diagnosis, the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), and the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF). Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha, and sensitivity and specificity was investigated using clinical diagnosis as the gold standard criterion. Main Outcome Measures Validity, reliability, specificity, and sensitivity of the FAME scale when correlated with SHIM, IIEF-EF, and clinical diagnosis. Results Qualitative analysis yielded 44 clues; 21 items demonstrated statistical significance as the best discriminating items using a t-test for independent samples. A final scale of six items was tested for validity, reliability, specificity, and sensitivity. FAME correlated significantly with clinical diagnosis (0.791, P < 0.001), the SHIM (0.788, P < 0.001), and the IIEF-EF (0.777, P < 0.001). Additional support for discriminant validity was obtained with receiver operating characteristics analysis. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.941. Sensitivity was 96.1% and specificity 86.0%. Conclusions Accurate detection of ED in men by the female partner is possible. In this study, FAME demonstrated concurrent validity and very good reliability, as well as excellent sensitivity and specificity.

The HelpED Study: Agreement and Impact of the Erection Hardness Score on Sexual Function and Psychosocial Outcomes in Men with Erectile Dysfunction and Their Partners

“…The ability of women to detect and characterize ED in their male partners is well recognized, as reflected in the development and validation of the Female Assessment of Male Erectile Dysfunction Detection scale [35] and the Ease of Erection domain of the Treatment Satisfaction Scale (“How easy was it for your partner to get an erection when you stimulated him?”) [13]. The results of the current study support those of previously published studies that showed that partners are able to identify and characterize ED at least as effectively as men with ED [7,11,13,35–41]. However, this is the first study to compare patient and partner assessments specific to hardness (rigidity) using a validated measure.…”

International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Scores Generated by Men or Female Partners Correlate Equally Well with Own Satisfaction (Sexual, Partnership, Life, and Mental Health)

“…Sufficient duration of erection is also among the parameters tapped by the IIEF, and greater duration of PVI (well beyond the range associated with premature ejaculation) is associated with greater likelihood of woman's orgasm [20,21]. Although a scale was recently developed for female partners to assess men's erectile function [22], the IIEF remains most likely the most common self‐report measure of erectile function in sexual medicine. Awareness of the similarity of self‐report and female reporting of erectile functioning with the IIEF is of both theoretical and potential clinical value, as it would inform understanding of the similarity of men's and women's perceptions of erectile function.…”

Impact of Nonorganic Erectile Dysfunction on Spouses: A Study from India

“…Furthermore, partner's attitude, level of sexual satisfaction prior to onset of ED, and perception of the impact that her partner's ED was having on their life is also associated with help seeking for ED [14]. Considering the impotence of role of the heterosexual partners in ED, recently an instrument has been developed for detection of ED by the partners [15].…”