Assessment of the relational factor in male patients consulting for sexual dysfunction: the concept of couple sexual dysfunction

Giovanni Corona; Luisa Petrone; Edoardo Mannucci; Angela Magini; Francesco Lotti; Valdo Ricca; Valerio Chiarini; Gianni Forti; Mario Maggi

P612

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Endocrine Abstracts (2007) 14 P612

ECE2007 Poster Presentations (1) (659 abstracts)

Assessment of the relational factor in male patients consulting for sexual dysfunction: the concept of couple sexual dysfunction

Giovanni Corona ¹ , Luisa Petrone ¹ , Edoardo Mannucci ² , Angela Magini ¹ , Francesco Lotti ¹ , Valdo Ricca ³ , Valerio Chiarini ⁴ , Gianni Forti ¹ & Mario Maggi ¹

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¹Andrology Unit, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; ²Geriatric Unit, Diabetes Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; ³Psychiatry Unit, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; ⁴Endocrinology Unit, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Objectives: To date it is not clear to which extent a clinical, or even a subclinical, sexual dysfunction in the female partner might associate with erectile dysfunction (ED) in the male partner. The present study is aimed at the assessment of clinical features of ED associated with relational disturbances.

Methods: In a consecutive series of 1140 male subjects reporting a stable couple relationship we evaluated the impact of relational factors, as assessed by SIEDY Scale 2 (exploring, as reported by the patient, menopausal symptoms, partner’s medical illness interfering with sexual activity and reduced partner desire and climax). SIEDY is an easy to administer instrument for the first screening of ED patient, providing scores for the relational component besides those to quantity the organic and intrapsychic components. Several hormonal, biochemical and instrumental parameters were also studied, along with psychopathology scores (Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire modified MHQ).

Results: We found that SIEDY Scale 2 is significantly and independently from other factors (as the organic ones) associated with ED, delayed ejaculation, hypoactive sexual desire and decreased number of intercourses. In particular, the chance of being affected by severe ED increased by 10 [1–10] % for each increment of SIEDY Scale 2 score (P<0.05). SIEDY Scale 2 scores are associated with an advanced age of the partner and a long couple relationship (>10 years), independently from patient’s age. In addition, an increased relational factor significantly (P<0.0001) correlates with increased extra-marital affairs (r=0.111), conflicts in the couple (r=0.279), alcohol abuse (r=0.155) and presence of depressive symptoms (r=0.182), as assessed by MHQ questionnaire.

Conclusion: Our result should encourage the andrologist to consider the context in which the sexual symptom develops, analysing the relationship and partner’s behaviour and diseases. Resolving, or at least ameliorating, the relational background and the sexual framework might help in treating male sexual dysfunction.