Clinically meaningful improvement on the Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire in men with erectile dysfunction

Evaluation of sexual function after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: A farewell to IIEF questionnaire

Longevity with localized prostate cancer (PCa) has been achieved, and the contribution of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) to cancer control is evident. The next step to investigate in the treatment of localized PCa is improvement of the quality of life (QOL) after RARP. Erectile dysfunction has been considered a major surgical complication, and patient satisfaction after RARP has not improved despite the development of nerve preservation and penile rehabilitation. To comprehensively understand sexual dysfunction after RARP, we must investigate other complications with regard to sexual health, including low sexual desire, disturbed orgasmic function (i.e., anejaculation, orgasm intensity, painful orgasm, and climacturia), shortening of penile length, penile curvature (Peyronie's disease) and unique psychological alterations after the diagnosis of PCa, which are neglected side effects after prostatectomy. In this context, routine evaluation of erectile function by the International Index of Erectile Function only is not sufficient to understand patients' difficulties. A questionnaire is just one way of enabling patients to evaluate their pre- and postoperative concerns; listening to patients face-to-face is warranted to detect symptoms. Understanding the relationship between symptoms and preserved nerve localization can ultimately provide an individualized nerve-sparing procedure and improve patient satisfaction after RARP. In combination with psychological counseling, including the partner and medical treatment, such as testosterone replacement, it is time to reconsider ways to improve sexual dysfunction after RARP.

Guidelines for Sexual Health Care for Prostate Cancer Patients: Recommendations of an International Panel

BACKGROUND

Patients with prostate cancer suffer significant sexual dysfunction after treatment which negatively affects them and their partners psychologically, and strain their relationships.

AIM

We convened an international panel with the aim of developing guidelines that will inform clinicians, patients and partners about the impact of prostate cancer therapies (PCT) on patients' and partners' sexual health, their relationships, and about biopsychosocial rehabilitation in prostate cancer (PC) survivorship.

METHODS

The guidelines panel included international expert researchers and clinicians, and a guideline methodologist. A systematic review of the literature, using the Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, PsychINFO, LGBT Life, and Embase databases was conducted (1995-2022) according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Study selection was based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Each statement was assigned an evidence strength (A-C) and a recommendation level (strong, moderate, conditional) based on benefit/risk assessment, according to the nomenclature of the American Urological Association (AUA). Data synthesis included meta-analyses of studies deemed of sufficient quality (3), using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR).

OUTCOMES

Guidelines for sexual health care for patients with prostate cancer were developed, based on available evidence and the expertise of the international panel.

RESULTS

The guidelines account for patients' cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity. They attend to the unique needs of individuals with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. The guidelines are based on literature review, a theoretical model of sexual recovery after PCT, and 6 principles that promote clinician-initiated discussion of realistic expectations of sexual outcomes and mitigation of sexual side-effects through biopsychosocial rehabilitation. Forty-seven statements address the psychosexual, relationship, and functional domains in addition to statements on lifestyle modification, assessment, provider education, and systemic challenges to providing sexual health care in PC survivorship.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The guidelines provide clinicians with a comprehensive approach to sexual health care for patients with prostate cancer.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

The strength of the study is the comprehensive evaluation of existing evidence on sexual dysfunction and rehabilitation in prostate cancer that can, along with available expert knowledge, best undergird clinical practice. Limitation is the variation in the evidence supporting interventions and the lack of research on issues facing patients with prostate cancer in low and middle-income countries.

CONCLUSION

The guidelines document the distressing sexual sequelae of PCT, provide evidence-based recommendations for sexual rehabilitation and outline areas for future research. Wittmann D, Mehta A, McCaughan E, et al. Guidelines for Sexual Health Care for Prostate Cancer Patients: Recommendations of an International Panel. J Sex Med 2022;19:1655-1669.

Prevalence, Comorbidities, and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction: Results from a Prospective Real-World Study in the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVES

Assessment of erectile dysfunction (ED) burden could improve health outcomes associated with underlying cardiometabolic and psychological causes of ED. This study provided updated real-world evidence (RWE) on ED epidemiology and quantified healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) burden among men with ED in the UK.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, prospective real-world evidence study was conducted via a self-reported Internet survey in 2018 in the UK general population. Prevalence of ED was estimated; HCRU and HRQoL were compared between men with ED versus without ED via bivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Of 12,490 men included, 41.5% reported ED; 7.5% of men reported severe ED; ED was most prevalent in Wales (44.3%). Men with ED were older (54.1 ± 14.5 vs. 46.8 ± 14.1 years) and often reported modifiable lifestyle risk factors, including smoking (32.8% vs. 26.3%), drinking alcohol (76.1% vs. 71.0%), not exercising (21.7% vs. 19.4%), and being overweight or obese (64.9% vs. 54.6%). Additionally, men with ED more often reported ≥1 comorbid chronic conditions (73.7% vs. 47.7%), including hypertension (31.8% vs. 16.3%), hyperlipidemia (27.6% vs. 14.0%), depression (24.3% vs. 14.6%), anxiety (23.3% vs. 16.6%), and diabetes (15.9% vs. 6.1%) versus men without ED (all, p < 0.001). Nearly half of men with ED (45.3%) were not undergoing treatment for cardiometabolic or psychological comorbidities. Furthermore, men with ED more often reported ≥1 visit to physicians/nurse practitioners and pharmacists in the past year and had significantly lower SEAR total and domain scores than men without ED (all, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

ED was highly prevalent in the UK affecting over a quarter of younger men. Cardiometabolic and psychological conditions were common among men with ED and often remained untreated. Higher proportions of modifiable lifestyle risk factors observed among men with ED present an opportunity for healthcare providers to help mitigate the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and incidence of ED.

Non-invasive positive airway pressure therapy for improving erectile dysfunction in men with obstructive sleep apnoea

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with several chronic diseases, including erectile dysfunction (ED). The association of OSAS and ED is far more common than might be found by chance; the treatment of OSAS with non-invasive positive airway pressure therapy is associated with improvement of respiratory symptoms, and may contribute to the improvement of associated conditions, such as ED.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and acceptability of non-invasive positive airway pressure therapy for improving erectile dysfunction in OSAS.

SEARCH METHODS

We identified studies from the Cochrane Airways Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AMED EBSCO, and LILACS, the US National Institutes of Health ongoing trials register ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organisation international clinical trials registry platform to 14 June 2021, with no restriction on date, language, or status of publication. We checked the reference lists of all primary studies, and review articles for additional references, and relevant manufacturers' websites for study information. We also searched specific conference proceedings for the British Association of Urological Surgeons; the European Association of Urology; and the American Urological Association to 14 June 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We considered randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a parallel or cross-over design, or cluster-RCTs, which included men aged 18 years or older, with OSAS and ED. We considered RCTs comparing any non-invasive positive airway pressure therapy (such as continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP), bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), variable positive airway pressure (VPAP), or similar devices) versus sham, no treatment, waiting list, or pharmacological treatment for ED. The primary outcomes were remission of ED and serious adverse events; secondary outcome were sex-related quality of life, health-related quality of life, and minor adverse events.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently conducted study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. A third review author solved any disagreement. We used the Cochrane RoB 1 tool to assess the risk of bias of the included RCTs. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the body of evidence. To measure the treatment effect on dichotomous outcomes, we used the risk ratio (RR); for continuous outcomes, we used the mean difference (MD). We calculated 95% confidence intervals (CI) for these measures. When possible (data availability and homogeneous studies), we used a random-effect model to pool data with a meta-analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

We included six RCTs (all assessing CPAP as the non-invasive positive airway pressure therapy device), with a total of 315 men with OSAS and ED. All RCTs presented some important risk of bias related to selection, performance, assessment, or reporting bias. None of included RCTs assessed the ED remission rate, and we used the provided ED mean scores as a proxy. CPAP versus no CPAP There is uncertainty about the effect of CPAP on mean ED scores after 4 weeks, using the International index of erectile function (IIEF-5, higher = better; MD 7.50, 95% CI 4.05 to 10.95; 1 RCT; 27 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and after 12 weeks (IIEF-ED, ED domain; MD 2.50, 95% CI -1.10 to 6.10; 1 RCT; 57 participants; very low-certainty evidence, downgraded due to methodological limitations and imprecision). There is uncertainty about the effect of CPAP on sex-related quality of life after 12 weeks, using the Self-esteem and relationship test (SEAR, higher = better; MD 1.00, 95% CI -8.09 to 10.09; 1 RCT; 57 participants; very low-certainty evidence, downgraded due to methodological limitations and imprecision); no serious adverse events were reported after 4 weeks (1 RCT; 27 participants; very low-certainty evidence, downgraded due to methodological limitations and imprecision). CPAP versus sham CPAP One RCT assessed this comparison (61 participants), but we were unable to extract outcomes for this comparison due to the factorial design and reporting of this trial. CPAP versus sildenafil (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors) Sildenafil may slightly improve erectile function at 12 weeks when compared to CPAP, measured with the IIEF-ED (MD -4.78, 95% CI -6.98 to -2.58; 3 RCTs; 152 participants; I² = 59%; low-certainty evidence, downgraded due to methodological limitations). There is uncertainty about the effect of CPAP on sex-related quality of life after 12 weeks, measured with the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction questionnaire (EDITS, higher = better; MD -1.24, 95% CI -1.80 to -0.67; 2 RCTs; 122 participants; I² = 0%; very low-certainty evidence, downgraded due to methodological limitations). No serious adverse events were reported for either group (2 RCTs; 70 participants; very low-certainty evidence, downgraded due to methodological limitations and imprecision). There is uncertainty about the effects of CPAP when compared to sildenafil for the incidence of minor adverse events (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.34 to 5.21; 1 RCT; 40 participants; very low-certainty evidence, downgraded due to methodological limitations and imprecision). The confidence interval was wide and neither a significant increase nor reduction in the risk of minor adverse events can be ruled out with the use of CPAP (4/20 men complained of nasal dryness in the CPAP group, and 3/20 men complained of transient flushing and mild headache in the sildenafil group).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

When compared with no CPAP, we are uncertain about the effectiveness and acceptability of CPAP for improving erectile dysfunction in men with obstructive sleep apnoea. When compared with sildenafil, there is some evidence that sildenafil may slightly improve erectile function at 12 weeks.

Increasing access to erectile dysfunction treatment via pharmacies to improve healthcare provider visits and quality of life: Results from a prospective real-world observational study in the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVES

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in the United Kingdom (UK) formally reclassified sildenafil citrate 50 mg tablets as a pharmacy medicine (sildenafil-P) in 2017 for adult men with erectile dysfunction (ED). A 1-year prospective real-world observational study was conducted to track men's health behaviour, particularly their healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) and quality of life (QoL) before and after the availability of sildenafil-P.

METHODS

Adult men with ED aged ≥18 years provided data at baseline (prior to launch of sildenafil-P) and every 3 months after the launch. Demographics, health characteristics, treatments at baseline and HCRU, including number of pharmacist and physician/nurse practitioner visits over time are reported. QoL-related outcomes were assessed via the Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire (SEAR), 2-Item Patient Health Questionnaire and ratings of sexual satisfaction. Generalised linear models were used to assess the association of sildenafil-P use with total physician/nurse practitioner and pharmacist visits and QoL-related outcomes at 12 months.

RESULTS

Overall, 1162 men completed the survey at all 5 time points. The mean ± SD age was 59.02 ± 12.06 years; 55.42% reported having a moderate-to-severe ED. Hypertension (37.52%) and hypercholesterolaemia (31.50%) were the most common risk factors for ED. At baseline, 62.99% were not using any ED treatment. After adjusting for baseline visits/other covariates, mean physician/nurse practitioner (3.68 vs 2.87; P = .003) and pharmacist visits for any reason (2.10 vs 1.34; P < .001) at 12 months were significantly higher among sildenafil-P users than those who never used sildenafil-P. Sildenafil-P users also had significantly higher SEAR total and domain (sexual relationship and self-esteem) scores at 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Following the reclassification to a pharmacy medicine in the UK, sildenafil-P was associated with a higher number of physician/nurse practitioner and pharmacist visits for any reason. Sildenafil-P use was also associated with better QoL, although group differences were small in magnitude.

Male Sexuality, Fertility, and Urinary Continence in Bladder Exstrophy-Epispadias Complex

BACKGROUND

The bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex is a rare congenital malformation associated with severe dysfunction of the genital and urinary tracts and requiring a staged surgical reconstruction.

AIM

The primary aims of this study were to report the sexuality, infertility, and urinary incontinence outcomes in a cohort of men born with bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex. The secondary aim was to highlight some predictive factors of infertility in this population.

METHODS

We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study of men diagnosed with classic presentations of bladder exstrophy or epispadias.

OUTCOMES

Patients were asked to complete 4 validated questionnaires: the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5, the Erection Hardness Score (EHS), the Self-Esteem and Relationship, and the International Consultation Incontinence modular Questionnaire-Short Form. Fertility potential was assessed with semen analysis and a non-validated questionnaire.

RESULTS

38 Patients 18-64 years old (M [mean] = 32.2) completed the questionnaires. The average IIEF-5 score was 18.1/25 (ranging from 3-25; SE = 7.62), with results indicating that 55% of the sample had normal erectile function. Results also showed higher scores for patients with normal spermatozoa concentration (M = 22.75, SE = 1.89, P = .08) than for those with oligospermia (M = 17.30, SE = 8.53, P = .08). Results on the IIEF-5 also indicated higher scores for patients who conceived children without assisted reproductive technologies (ART) (M = 22.83, SE = 2.317, P = .02) than for patients without children (M = 15.76, SE = 8.342, P = .02). The average EHS was 3.43/4 (ranging from 1-4, SE = 0.9). EHS was higher for patients who had reconstruction than for patients who had cystectomy (M = 3.88, SE = 1.07 and 2.78, SE = 1.09, P = .02). The average total Self-Esteem and Relationship score was 67.04/100 (ranging from 10.71-96.43, SE = 22.11). The average total International Consultation Incontinence modular Questionnaire-Short Form score was 4.97/21 (ranging from 0-18, SE = 5.44), higher score indicating more urinary incontinence. Among the patients surveyed, 31.6% were parents at the time of study and 50% of them benefited from ART. With regards to the 14 semen analyses performed, only 7.1% produced normal results and 44.7% indicated that ejaculation was weak and dribbling.

CLINICAL TRANSLATION

Erectile function appears to be decreased and psychological aspects of sexuality indicate low self-esteem about sexual relationship. Although ethical problems could not allow prospective spermograms, our cohort is large enough to provide significant data.

CONCLUSIONS

Early sperm storage for future ART, sexual medicine management, and complementary genital reconstruction in adulthood constitute potential treatment options for this population. Reynaud N, Courtois F, Mouriquand P, et al. Male Sexuality, Fertility, and Urinary Continence in Bladder Exstrophy-Epispadias Complex. J Sex Med 2017;15:314-323.

Cumulative response curves to enhance interpretation of treatment differences on the Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire for men with erectile dysfunction

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Studies on erectile dysfunction (ED) therapies rely heavily on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to measure efficacy on treatment response. A challenge when using PROs is interpretation of the clinical meaning of changes in scores. A responder analysis provides a threshold score to indicate whether a change in score qualifies a patient as a responder. However, a major consideration with responder analysis is the sometimes arbitrary nature of defining the threshold for a response. By contrast, cumulative response curves (CRCs) display patient response rates over a continuum of possible thresholds, thus eliminating problems with a rigid threshold definition, allowing for a variety of response thresholds to be examined simultaneously, and encompassing all data. With respect to the psychosocial factors addressed in the Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire in ED, CRCs clearly, distinctly, and meaningfully highlighted the favourable profiles of responses to sildenafil compared with placebo. CRCs for PROs in urology can provide a clear, transparent and meaningful visual depiction of efficacy data that can supplement and complement other analyses.

OBJECTIVE

To use cumulative response curves (CRCs) to enrich meaning and enhance interpretation of scores on the Self-Esteem And Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire with respect to treatment differences for men with erectile dysfunction (ED).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This post hoc analysis used data from all patients who took at least one dose of study drug and had at least one post-baseline efficacy evaluation in a previously published 12-week, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of flexible-dose (25, 50, or 100 mg) sildenafil citrate (Viagra) in adult men with ED who had scored ≤ 75 out of 100 on the Self-Esteem subscale of the SEAR questionnaire. CRCs were used on the numeric change in transformed SEAR scores from baseline to end-of-study for each SEAR component. The horizontal axis of the CRC represented change from baseline on the SEAR score, and the vertical axis represented the percentage of patients experiencing that change or greater. The differences between CRCs for the sildenafil group vs the placebo group were assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirov test.

RESULTS

For each of the SEAR components, there was essentially no overlap in the CRCs between the sildenafil group (n = 113) and placebo group (n = 115 or 116, depending on the component), showing that a greater percentage of sildenafil recipients compared with placebo recipients had a more favourable change across the spectrum of response thresholds (P ≤ 0.01). Previous research showed that a 10-point score increase is the minimal clinically meaningful improvement for most SEAR components. In the sildenafil vs placebo groups, a ≥10-point score increase occurred in 72 vs 37% of patients, respectively, on the Sexual Relationship Satisfaction domain, 71 vs 41% on the Confidence domain, 76 vs 49% on the Self-Esteem subscale, 60 vs 44% on the Overall Relationship Satisfaction subscale, and 75 vs 38% on the Overall score.

CONCLUSIONS

With respect to the psychosocial factors addressed in the SEAR questionnaire, CRCs clearly, distinctly, and meaningfully highlighted the favourable profiles of responses to sildenafil compared with placebo. CRCs for patient-reported outcomes in urology can provide a clear, transparent, and meaningful visual depiction of efficacy data that can supplement and complement other analyses.

Correlations with satisfaction measures in men treated with phosphodiesterase inhibitors for erectile dysfunction

This literature review examined the relationship of erectile function to patient satisfaction. Published correlation coefficients (r values) were sought between patient-reported outcomes (PROs; i.e., instruments/questionnaires) assessing erection or erectile function and PROs assessing individual sexual satisfaction, satisfaction in the context of the couple or relationship, or satisfaction with erection. The U.S. National Library of Medicine's PubMed database was searched for English-language, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of treatment with a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) who were not selected for any concomitant disease. Trials that reported correlations between an ED-specific and psychometrically validated PRO for an erection/erectile function concept and for a selected satisfaction concept were included. All correlations were positive, with almost all r values >.50. The positive relationship between results on erection/erectile function PROs and results on satisfaction PROs is probably reinforced bidirectionally such that improved erection/erectile function improves satisfaction, which further improves erection and/or erectile function.

Aspects of sexual satisfaction in men with erectile dysfunction: a factor analytic and logistic regression approach

INTRODUCTION

The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP), and Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) assess efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).

AIMS

To determine the degree that multiplicity of satisfaction questions in ED treatment evaluation instruments are congruent, to better understand the concept of sexual "satisfaction," and to identify factors that correlate with improvement.

METHODS

Questionnaire data from 4,174 placebo- or tadalafil-treated patients with ED were analyzed. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on IIEF and SEP satisfaction questions. Spearman correlation coefficients were determined. Data from 431 of the 4,174 patients who completed EDITS questionnaires were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to investigate improvement of each IIEF satisfaction question.

RESULTS

PCA rotated on three factors explained 91% of total variance and separated IIEF Q6 (intercourse frequency) from a SEP and a remaining IIEF factor. All correlations between and among questions were close (rho = 0.62-0.98; P < 0.0001), except for those with IIEF Q6 (rho = 0.28-0.34; P < 0.0001). In a sub-sample, PCA of five IIEF, two SEP, and three EDITS questions identified four factors that explained 90% of all variance: EDITS questions, IIEF questions except Q6, SEP questions, and IIEF Q6. Greater improvement in IIEF-EF domain score was consistently and positively associated with satisfaction measures (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Factor analysis detected close relationships among satisfaction questions in IIEF, SEP, and EDITS instruments, each of which, apart from IIEF Q6 (intercourse frequency), appeared to be an independent measure of satisfaction. Cultural differences may explain different satisfaction correlations with baseline ED severity in different regions. Clinicians may make use of the correlation between intercourse frequency (Q6) and satisfaction when prescribing a PDE5 inhibitor for ED, by explaining that the inhibitor should enable more frequent intercourse.

Improvements in confidence, sexual relationship and satisfaction measures: results of a randomized trial of tadalafil 5 mg taken once daily

An efficacy study of tadalafil (5 mg once daily) for treating erectile dysfunction included sexual satisfaction and psychosocial outcome measures such as Treatment satisfaction (THX) domain of Sexual Life Quality Questionnaire, Self-Esteem And Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, Sexual Encounter Profile questions 4 (SEP4; hardness satisfaction) and 5 (SEP5; overall satisfaction), intercourse satisfaction (IS) and overall satisfaction (OS) domains of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and partner SEP question 3 (pSEP3). After a 4-week run-in phase, participants were randomized to receive either tadalafil (N=264) or placebo (N=78) for 12 weeks. Participants and partners were more satisfied (THX) with tadalafil (75 and 73, respectively) than with placebo (51 and 55, respectively, P<0.001). Statistically significant improvements in sexual relationship, confidence, self-esteem and overall relationship (SEAR), in addition to IS, OS, SEP5 and pSEP3 for tadalafil compared with placebo (P<0.001) correlated with erectile function (EF) improvement (assessed by change from baseline in IIEF-EF score). Tadalafil significantly improved treatment and sexual satisfaction, while improving multiple outcomes measured by SEAR.