Comparison of international index of erectile function with nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity testing in evaluation of erectile dysfunction

Abstract

We tried to compare the parameters of nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) testing with erectile function (EF) domain score of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), which is used in diagnosis and determining the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED), and to assess the sufficiency of IIEF in the diagnosis of ED. A total of 90 men, mean age 46 years (24-75), presenting with ED to our clinic between January 2001 and March 2003 were included in the trial. All the men answered the standard IIEF (15 questions) forms and was divided into four groups as mild ED, moderate ED, severe ED and no ED according to the EF domain score that is obtained from 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 15th questions. Then NPTR testing with the RigiScan Plus monitoring device was performed for two consecutive nights on those men. The distribution of the six parameters of NPTR testing (number of erections, duration of erections, TAU base, RAU base, TAU tip, RAU tip) among the four groups and the correlation with IIEF-EF domain score were evaluated. Additionally, the distribution of the risk factors (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, atherosclerotic heart disease, dyslipidemia and smoking) was analyzed both among the four groups and in each group. According to IIEF-EF domain scores of 90 patients, 16 (18%) had severe ED, 21 (23%) moderate ED, 41 (46%) mild ED and 12 (13%) no ED. There was no statistically significant difference between the risk factors among the men in these groups (P40.05). When the IIEF-EF domain scores were compared with parameters of NPTR testing, no statistically significant difference was obtained among ED groups (mild, moderate, severe) (P40.05). However, we observed a statistically significant difference between three ED groups and no ED group (Po0.05). If NPTR testing is considered as a gold standard test, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of IIEF-EF domain score in ED diagnosis are 100, 17.9, 29.4 and 100% respectively. In conclusion, we did not observe a clinical correlation between IIEF-EF domain scores and NPTR parameters in the whole population; however, we observed that if IIEF-EF domain scores were normal, NPTR parameters were also normal. In other words, we can say that if the initial IIEF-EF domain scores are normal, then we do not have to perform NPTR testing. This could be helpful to make a cost-effective diagnosis.

Relationship between chronic tadalafil administration and improvement of endothelial function in men with erectile dysfunction: a pilot study

“…18 The reduction or absence of nocturnal erectile episodes has been reported as a possible mechanism in the pathogenesis of ED. 34 The consequent reduction in the environmental oxygen tension to which cells are exposed leads to physiological and, eventually, pathological consequences associated with differential expression of specific genes that encode for cytokines and growth factors thought to play key roles in the regulation of synthesis and assembly of connective tissue proteins, that is, transforming growth factor-b1 and pltelet-derived growth factor, 35 which are overexpressed in tunica albuginea from men suffering from venocclusive dysfunction 36 and in plaques obtained from Peyronie's disease. 37 Reports on the improvement of morning erections after short-acting PDE5i assumption is frequent if the drug is taken daily at bedtime 38 but this effect is lost after 2 or 3 days of withdrawal.…”

Assessment of Sexual Functions in Male Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis Compared with Healthy Controls

“…The scoring of the IIEF allows for patients to be classified as either having no (26-30), mild (17-25), moderate (11-16) or severe (0-10) ED. [23,24] The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a reliable and valid instrument for measuring depression symptom severity, was used to investigate the patients' affective state. It is a self-reported questionnaire composed of 21 items presented in multiple-choice format that aims to measure the presence and degree of depression with scores ranging from 0 to 63, with higher scores representing more severe symptoms.…”

The efficacy of udenafil in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis

“…[17][18][19][20] The IIEF has been translated and successfully used in many languages, including Turkish. 21,22 The IIEF comprises 15 questions and evaluates five areas of male sexual functioning. In our patient group, we evaluated all categories separately before and after treatment and statistically compared the results.…”