title: Health-related characteristics and unmet needs of men with erectile dysfunction: a survey in five European countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data suggest that ED is still an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. In addition, it seems that men with ED are unsatisfied about their relationship with their physician and with the available drugs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aims to identify health-related characteristics and unmet needs of patients suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) in big 5 European Union (EU) nations (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and UK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from the 2011 5EU National Health and Wellness-Survey on a population of 28,511 adult men (mean age: 47.18; SD 16.07) and was focused on men (5,184) who self-reported ED in the past 6 months. In addition, the quality of life (QoL) and work productivity/activity were explored.
  
  
  METHODS
  Health-related QoL (HRQoL) and work productivity were measured with SF-12v2 and WPAI validated psychometric tools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One in every 20 young men (age 18-39) across 5EU experienced ED in the past 6 months. About half of men (2,702/5,184; [52%]) with ED across all ages did not discuss their condition with their physician. Interestingly, among those men who did discuss their condition with their physician, 68% (1,668/2,465) do not currently use medication. These findings were more evident in the age group of 18-39 years. Only 48% (2,465/5,184) had a closer relationship with their physician, suggesting that this quality of relationship may be unsatisfactory. Compared with controls, ED patients have a significantly higher intrapsychic and relational psychopathological comorbid burden and relevant decreasing in HRQoL, with a significantly higher impairment on work productivity/activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data suggest that there is a need for a new therapeutic paradigm in ED treatment which images the achievement of a new alliance between physician and patient. Hence, alternative drug delivery strategies may reduce the psychological and social impact of this disease.
authors: School of Sexology, Department of Clinical and Applied Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Emmanuele A
authors: EA
authors: Jannini
authors: Nikoletta
authors: N
authors: Sternbach
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Limoncin
authors: Giacomo
authors: G
authors: Ciocca
authors: Giovanni Luca
authors: GL
authors: Gravina
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Tripodi
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Petruccelli
authors: Sylvia
authors: S
authors: Keijzer
authors: Gina
authors: G
authors: Isherwood
authors: Britta
authors: B
authors: Wiedemann
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Simonelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Erectile Dysfunction; Health-Related Characteristics; Health-Related Quality of Life; PDE5 Inhibitors