Descriptions of the Male Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaires

Descriptions of the Male Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaires

This group of questionnaires consists of the EDITS, IIEF, IPE, PED, QEQ, SEAR, SHIM, and the SQOL-M.

EDITS (Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction)

The 11-item EDITS is a brief, psychometrically sound questionnaire suitable for use in the evaluation of satisfaction with medical treatment modalities for erectile dysfunction.

Reference:
Althof AE, Corty EW, Levine SB, Levine F, Burnett AL, McVary K, Stecher V, & Seftel AD. EDITS: Development of questionnaires for evaluating satisfaction with treatments for erectile dysfunction. Urology. 1999;53:793-799.

IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function)

The IIEF addresses the relevant domains of male sexual function (that is, erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction), is psychometrically sound, and has been linguistically validated in multiple languages. This questionnaire is readily self-administered in research or clinical settings.

The IIEF demonstrates the sensitivity and specificity for detecting treatment-related changes in patients with erectile dysfunction.

Dimension(s) covered by the questionnaire:

Erectile function (6 items)
Orgasmic function (2 items)
Sexual desire (2 items)
Intercourse satisfaction (3 items)
Overall satisfaction (2 items)

Reference:
Rosen RC, Riley A, Wagner G, Osterloh IH, Kirkpatrick J, & Mishra A. The international index of erectile function (IIEF): A multidimensional scale for assessment of erectile dysfunction. Urology 1997;49:822-830.

IPE (Index of Premature Ejaculation)

The 10-item Index of Premature Ejaculation was developed as an efficacy measure to assess changes in control over ejaculation, sexual satisfaction, and distress in men with premature ejaculation. The instrument was developed and validated in men who had average Intravaginal Ejaculation Latency Times (IELTs) of 2 minutes or less in 70-75% of attempts, as confirmed by stop-watch and, in men recruited from a survey-based population where IELTs were self-reported and had to be 2 minutes or less in 70-75% of attempts.

Other relevant information:

Self-administered in less than 2 minutes;

Recall period is the previous four weeks;

Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale; and

Designed for use among men who are 18+ in age.

Reference:
Althof S, Rosen R, Symonds T, Mundayat R, May K, Abraham L. Development and validation of a new questionnaire to assess sexual satisfaction, control, and distress associated with premature ejaculation. J Sex Med. 2006;3(3):465-475.

PED (Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool)

The 5-item Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool was developed to screen for premature ejaculation (PE) in men. The content of the tool was developed to capture the essence of the DSMIV definition of PE: Control, frequency, minimal sexual stimulation, distress, and interpersonal difficulty. The instrument was developed and validated in men who had average Intravaginal Ejaculation Latency Times (IELTs) of 2 minutes or less in 70% of attempts, as confirmed by stop-watch and, in men recruited from a survey-based population based on self-reporting 'probably' or 'definitely' experiencing PE.

Other relevant information:

Self-administered in less than 2 minutes;

Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale; and

Designed for use among men who are 18+ in age.

References:
Symonds T, Perelman MA, Althof S, Giuliano F, Martin M, May K, et al. Development and validation of a premature ejaculation diagnostic tool. Eur Urol. 2007;52(2):565-573.

Symonds T, Perelman M, Althof S, Giuliano F, Martin M, Abraham L, et al. Further evidence of the reliability and validity of the premature ejaculation diagnostic tool. Int J Impot Res. 2007;19(5):521-525.

QEQ (Quality of Erection Questionnaire)

The validated Quality of Erection Questionnaire (QEQ) is a six-question, patient-reported outcome measure for comprehensively evaluating satisfaction with the quality of erections in terms of hardness, onset, and duration, which can be used to develop and monitor individualized treatment goals.

References:
Lowy M, Collins S, Bloch M, Gillman M, Lording D, Sutherland P, Wang H, & Stecher V. Quality of Erection Questionnaire correlates: Change in erection quality with erectile function, hardness, and psychosocial measures in men treated with sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. J Sex Med 2007;4:83-92.

Porst H, Gilbert C, Collins S, Huang X, Symonds T, Stecher V, and Hvidsten K. Development and validation of the Quality of Erection Questionnaire. J Sex Med 2007;4:372-381.

SEAR (Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire)

The 14-item SEAR questionnaire is a brief, self-administered, disease-specific scale for assessing the relevant psychosocial manifestations of ED, specifically, patient reported outcomes of self-esteem, confidence, and relationships. The SEAR questionnaire provides a three-level assessment that includes an overall assessment, a domain-specific assessment (Sexual Relationship and Confidence domains), and an assessment of components (Self-Esteem and Overall Relationship subscales of the Confidence domain) of a domain.

References:
Althof SE, Cappelleri JC, Shpilsky A, Stecher V, Diuguid C, Sweeney M, & Duttagupta S. Treatment responsiveness of the self-esteem and relationship questionnaire in erectile dysfunction. Urology 2003;61:888-892.

Cappelleri JC, Althof SE, Siegel RL, Shpilsky A, Bell SS, & Duttagupta S. Development and validation of the Self-Esteem And Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire in erectile dysfunction. Int J Impotence Res 2004;16:30-38.

SHIM (Sexual Health Inventory For Men)

An abridged five-item version of the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) was developed to diagnose the presence and severity of erectile dysfunction. Because of its simplicity and the favorable diagnostic properties reported here, the IIEF-5 could aid in decreasing the incorrect diagnosis of ED and decreasing the number of undiagnosed cases of ED worldwide.

References:
Rhoden EL, Telöken C, Sogari PR, & Vargas Souto CA. The use of the simplified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) as a diagnostic tool to study the prevalence of erectile dysfunction. Int J Impotence Res 2002;14:242-250.

Rosen RC, Cappelleri JC, Smith MD, Lipsky J & Peña BM. Development and evaluation of an abridged, 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) as a diagnostic tool for erectile dysfunction. Int J Impotence Res 1999;11:319-326.

SQOL-M (Sexual Quality of Life - Men)

The 11-item Sexual Quality of Life - Men questionnaire was developed to assess the sexual quality of life in men, specifically to assess sexual confidence, emotional well-being and relationship issues. To date, the instrument has been validated for use in men with erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

Other relevant information:

Self-administered in less than 5 minutes;

Recall period is the previous four weeks;

Each item is rated on a 6-point Likert scale; and

Designed for use among men who are 18+ in age.

Reference:
Abraham L, Symonds T, Morris MF. Psychometric validation of a sexual quality of life questionnaire for use in men with premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2008;5(3):595-601.

Order Male Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaires

The questionnaires may be ordered free of charge by going to the order page. You will note that translations are available in a variety of languages. All questionnaires will be emailed with a scoring manual.