engleski

Graphical single-question test: pilot study of a novel approach to erectile dysfunction screening

Purpose: To create and test the applicability of a novel, single question graphic questionnaire (GQ) for quick and reliable assessment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: Erectile function was assessed in 35 patients early after hospitalization for ischemic heart disease (IHD) using several self-administered questionnaires: the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), the Massachusetts Male Aging Study Questionnaires (MMAS) and the newly developed GQ - a graphic test for ED assessment by single question with a simple visual scale representing the answer form. Additional health information was collected from patients’ medical records. Results: The subjects (mean age 56.6 ± 8.6 y ; range 37 - 69 y) presented with high frequency of excessive body mass (mean BMI = 29.58 ± 4.25) with 40 % (n = 14) overweight and 46 % (n=16) obese men, as well as the high prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors: arterial hypertension (n=22, 63 %), diabetes mellitus (n=10, 29 %), dyslipidemia (n=20, 57 %) and smoking (n=23, 66 %). The overall prevalence of ED was 74 % (26), 71 % (25) and 68 % (24) according to IIEF-5 and MMAS questionnaires and it demonstrated an expected increase with age (25 % ED in patients 35 - 45 years old and 85.7 % in those aged 65 or older). There was no significant difference in frequency of cardiovascular risk factors between patients with normal erectile function and those with ED. The simple GQ correlated well with the other tests for ED assessment applied in the study - somewhat better with IIEF-5 (r=0.7833-0.8335, rho=0.763-0.863 ; p<0.001) than with MMAS questionnaires (M-1: rho=0.603-0.691, p<0.0001 ; M-10: rho = 0.505-0.599, p=0.0001-0.002). Conclusion: The prevalence of ED among patients who have recently suffered an acute coronary syndrome is high and in positive correlation with subjects’ age but not with other conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Our results have shown a significant correlation of the new GQ with standard IIEF-5 and MMAS questionnaires. Given the simplicity and the short time required for implementation, this new and simple questionnaire could be used for ED screening in routine practice. It’s independence from the educational status, level of cognitive function and the possible visual disorders make the test even more promising. Additional studies are needed to confirm our results in larger samples, as well as to test the impact of GQ on the patient long-term outcome.

erectile dysfunction; ischemic heart disease; acute coronary syndrome

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