Division of Urology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
Division of Urology, CS Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
J Urol. 2023 Sep;210(3):538-547. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000003556. Epub 2023 May 25.
We evaluate the applicability of the International Index of Erectile Function in young men with spina bifida and identify spina bifida-specific sexual experiences not captured by this measure.
Semistructured interviews were conducted between February 2021 and May 2021 with men ≥18 years of age with spina bifida. The International Index of Erectile Function was completed by participants, and perspectives on its applicability were discussed. Participant experiences and perspectives around sexual health were discussed to identify aspects of the sexual experience not well captured by the International Index of Erectile Function. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained from a patient survey and chart review. Conventional content analysis framework was used for transcript coding.
Of 30 eligible patients approached, 20 participated. Median age was 22.5 years (range 18-29), and 80% had myelomeningocele. Most identified as heterosexual (17/20, 85%), were not in a relationship (14/20, 70%), and were not currently sexually active (13/20, 65%). Some perceived the International Index of Erectile Function as applicable, while others reported it was not, as they do not define themselves as sexually active. Aspects of the sexual experience not captured by the International Index of Erectile Function included (1) lack of control over sexual function, (2) poor lower body sensation, (3) urinary incontinence, (4) spina bifida-specific physical limitations, and (5) psychosocial barriers. Participant suggestions for improving the International Index of Erectile Function to increase its applicability were identified.
While many perceived the International Index of Erectile Function as applicable, the measure inadequately captures the diverse sexual experiences of young men with spina bifida. Disease-specific instruments to evaluate sexual health are needed in this population.
评估国际勃起功能指数在年轻脊柱裂男性中的适用性，并确定该测量方法未捕捉到的脊柱裂特异性性体验。
2021 年 2 月至 5 月，对年龄≥18 岁的脊柱裂男性进行半结构式访谈。参与者完成了国际勃起功能指数问卷，并讨论了其适用性。讨论了参与者的性健康体验和观点，以确定国际勃起功能指数未很好捕捉到的性体验方面。从患者调查和病历回顾中获得了人口统计学和临床特征。使用常规内容分析框架对转录进行编码。
在 30 名符合条件的患者中，有 20 名患者参与。中位年龄为 22.5 岁（范围 18-29 岁），80%的患者为脊膜脊髓膨出。大多数患者自我认同为异性恋（17/20，85%），没有伴侣（14/20，70%），目前没有性生活（13/20，65%）。一些人认为国际勃起功能指数适用，而另一些人则认为不适用，因为他们不认为自己有性生活。国际勃起功能指数未捕捉到的性体验方面包括：（1）对性功能缺乏控制；（2）下半身感觉差；（3）尿失禁；（4）脊柱裂特异性身体限制；（5）心理社会障碍。确定了改善国际勃起功能指数以提高其适用性的建议。
尽管许多人认为国际勃起功能指数适用，但该测量方法并不能充分捕捉年轻脊柱裂男性多样化的性体验。该人群需要专门用于评估性健康的疾病特异性工具。
