¹Department of Urology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA

Correspondence: Dr A Melman, Department of Urology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 3400 Bainbridge Avenue, 5th Floor, Bronx, NY 10467-2490, USA. E-mail: amelman@montefiore.org

Received 12 May 2005; Revised 27 May 2005; Accepted 27 May 2005; Published online 4 August 2005.

Abstract

To determine whether the results of the self-reported International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) to assess erectile function can overestimate the degree of erectile impairment. A total of 32 consecutive patients seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) at a urologist's office were evaluated by completion of the erectile function domain of the IIEF. Nocturnal penile tumescence testing using the Rigiscan (Timm Medical Technologies Inc., USA) was performed in these patients after completion of the IIEF. The median IIEF-6 score was 9 of 30 (range, 1–25; mean, 11/30). Rigiscan results were abnormal in six patients (19%), normal in 25 patients (78%), and unable to interpret in one patient (3%). IIEF-6 scores were subdivided by severity along with Rigiscan results. There was no correlation between age, IIEF score, or Rigiscan results. In conclusion, the IIEF is a useful tool and is helpful for follow-up of a patient to evaluate efficacy of treatments for ED, but should not replace objective testing to diagnose the quality of ED.