Department of Urology, University Clinics Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
J Sex Med. 2012 Oct;9(10):2652-63. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02883.x. Epub 2012 Aug 20.
The HelpED study assessed men with erectile dysfunction (ED) treated with a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor and their female partner in a community setting.
To examine agreement in Erection Hardness Score (EHS) in patients and partners; to assess impact of EHS changes on other sexual health outcomes and behaviors.
At baseline and follow-up 2 to 4 months later, men in a stable heterosexual relationship who had newly diagnosed or untreated ED (≥6 months) completed the single-item EHS, the International Index of Erectile Function questions 4 and 5 (assessing erection maintenance), the Self-Esteem And Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, and a modified Quality of Life domain of the Sexual Life Quality Questionnaire (mSLQQ-QOL). Partners completed the EHS, Female Sexual Function Index, and the mSLQQ-QOL.
EHS agreement assessed by Cohen weighted kappa coefficient, associations between change in EHS and change in measures of sexual function and quality of life; outcomes stratified by patient age (≤55 years vs. >55 years).
Questionnaires were completed by 447 men (64% aged 51-70 years) and 253 partners (52% aged 46-60 years) at baseline and by 266 and 152, respectively, at follow-up. At baseline, the consulting physician proposed PDE5 inhibitor treatment for 99% of patients, and EHS mean values were similar in patients and partners. All outcomes improved significantly (P<0.05), including EHS in 75% of men (EHS3 [hardness sufficient for sexual intercourse but not fully hard] improved to EHS4 [fully hard erection] in almost 60%). For most other outcomes, improvement was greater in younger men and in those who improved from EHS3 to EHS4.
Strong agreement in EHS between patient and partner and associations between improvement in EHS and improvements in measures of sexual function and quality of life in patients and partners support its clinical use in ED management.
HelpED 研究评估了在社区环境中接受磷酸二酯酶 5（PDE5）抑制剂治疗的勃起功能障碍（ED）男性及其女性伴侣。
检查患者和伴侣的勃起硬度评分（EHS）是否一致；评估 EHS 变化对其他性健康结果和行为的影响。
在基线和 2-4 个月后的随访中，新诊断或未经治疗的 ED（≥6 个月）的稳定异性恋关系男性完成了单一项 EHS、国际勃起功能指数问卷 4 和 5（评估勃起维持）、自尊和关系（SEAR）问卷以及性生活质量问卷的改良生活质量域（mSLQQ-QOL）。伴侣完成了 EHS、女性性功能指数和 mSLQQ-QOL。
EHS 一致性评估采用 Cohen 加权 Kappa 系数，EHS 变化与性功能和生活质量变化之间的关系；按患者年龄（≤55 岁与>55 岁）分层的结果。
基线时完成问卷的有 447 名男性（64%年龄 51-70 岁）和 253 名伴侣（52%年龄 46-60 岁），随访时分别有 266 名和 152 名男性和伴侣完成了问卷。基线时，99%的患者都建议使用 PDE5 抑制剂治疗，患者和伴侣的 EHS 平均值相似。所有结果均显著改善（P<0.05），包括 75%的男性 EHS（硬度足以进行性交但不完全坚硬的 EHS3 改善为完全坚硬勃起的 EHS4 近 60%）。对于大多数其他结果，年龄较小的男性和从 EHS3 改善到 EHS4 的男性改善更大。
患者和伴侣之间 EHS 高度一致，EHS 改善与患者和伴侣性功能和生活质量测量的改善之间存在关联，支持其在 ED 管理中的临床应用。
