Health-Related Characteristics and Unmet Needs of Men with Erectile Dysfunction: A Survey in Five European Countries

Abstract

Introduction Data suggest that ED is still an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. In addition, it seems that men with ED are unsatisfied about their relationship with their physician and with the available drugs. Aim The study aims to identify health-related characteristics and unmet needs of patients suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) in big 5 European Union (EU) nations (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and UK). Methods Data were collected from the 2011 5EU National Health and Wellness-Survey on a population of 28,511 adult men (mean age: 47.18; SD 16.07) and was focused on men (5,184) who self-reported ED in the past 6 months. In addition, the quality of life (QoL) and work productivity/activity were explored. Main Outcome Measures Health-related QoL (HRQoL) and work productivity were measured with SF-12v2 and WPAI validated psychometric tools. Results One in every 20 young men (age 18–39) across 5EU experienced ED in the past 6 months. About half of men (2,702/5,184; [52%]) with ED across all ages did not discuss their condition with their physician. Interestingly, among those men who did discuss their condition with their physician, 68% (1,668/2,465) do not currently use medication. These findings were more evident in the age group of 18–39 years. Only 48% (2,465/5,184) had a closer relationship with their physician, suggesting that this quality of relationship may be unsatisfactory. Compared with controls, ED patients have a significantly higher intrapsychic and relational psychopathological comorbid burden and relevant decreasing in HRQoL, with a significantly higher impairment on work productivity/activity. Conclusion Data suggest that there is a need for a new therapeutic paradigm in ED treatment which images the achievement of a new alliance between physician and patient. Hence, alternative drug delivery strategies may reduce the psychological and social impact of this disease.

The safety and efficacy of Avanafil, a new 2ndgeneration PDE5i: comprehensive review and meta-analysis

“…[48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] ED may arise from an alteration of any of these components (precipitating event), but, eventually, it will involve all the others in a redundant way, having negative effects on quality of life, interpersonal relationships, and mood. [51][52][53][54] This complex, multidimensional, interactive model of ED pathogenesis captures the ever-changing, mutual influences of biology, marital and psychological life, and their contributions to the disturbance. Dissatisfaction and discontinuation of PDE5is might be the consequence of unrecognized psychological or relational issues underlying the sexual problem and not targeted by the medical treatment.…”

Erectile dysfunction

“…Despite being studied thoroughly in men over 40 years of age 18 , the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in younger men is rarely regarded as interesting 19,20 . In this context, a recent naturalistic study (a study in which the participant is observed without any manipulation by the researcher) reported that one man out of four seeking medical help for erectile dysfunction in the real-life setting is <40 years of age 21 .…”

Factors Associated With Erectile Dysfunction and the Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire in Patients With Peyronie Disease

“…26 Questions are divided into 5 domains: erectile function (6 items; maximum score, 30), orgasmic function (2 items; maximum score, 10), sexual desire (2 items; maximum score, 10), intercourse satisfaction (3 items; maximum score, 15), and overall satisfaction (2 items; maximum score, 10). Each question is rated from 0 to 5 (questions 1-10) or from 1 to 5 (questions [11][12][13][14][15], where higher values indicate less difficulty, greater frequency, more satisfaction, confidence, or enjoyment. For questions that focus on intercourse (ie, questions 1-10), "0" indicated that sexual intercourse had not taken place or was not attempted.…”

“…Factors underlying this connection remain unknown, 13 but both conditions have been associated with increased age, 2,14-16 comorbid disorders (eg, diabetes, 2,8,16 cardiovascular events, 17,18 radical prostatectomy 19,20 ), psychological symptoms, [9][10][11]15,21,22 and altered blood flow. 13 In addition, ED has been associated with depression, 22 which, similar to PD, may influence a patient's assessment of physical and psychological functioning.…”