Erectile dysfunction and depression: category or dimension?
Depression, as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED), has received minimal systematic attention. One-hundred twenty men with ED evaluated in a sexual behaviors clinic were studied. The categorical Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) diagnosis of a depressive disorder was found in only 14 subjects (14.7%). Dimensional quantification of depression was measured with the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). The BSI data revealed clinically significant elevations of depression and other dysphoric affects. The presence of a comorbid medical diagnosis did not affect the rates of categorical diagnosis of depression or the dimensional levels. The five factors of personality in the NEO-PI were within normal range. The data demonstrates that men with ED are affectively distressed but infrequently meet criteria for categorical DSM-IV depression.
Strand
Julia
J
Sexual Behaviors Consultation Unit, Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavior Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Wise
Thomas N
TN
Fagan
Peter J
PJ
Schmidt
Chester W
CW
D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged