1. ¹Department of Urology, UZ Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium
2. ²Cliniques Saint-Luc, Centre de Pathologie Sexuelle Masculine, Brussels, Belgium
3. ³Service d'Urologie, CHU Sart-Tilman, Liège, Belgium
4. ⁴Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, CHU Sart-Tilman, Liège, Belgium
5. ⁵Medical Department Pfizer, Brussels, Belgium

Correspondence: Professor H Claes, Department of Urology, UZ Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, Leuven B 3000, Belgium. E-mail: Hubert.Claes@scarlet.be

Received 12 November 2007; Revised 15 January 2008; Accepted 6 February 2008; Published online 17 April 2008.

Abstract

In an observational study in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) consulting a general practitioner (GP) or urologist in Belgium, demographics, ED characteristics (including erection hardness score), co-morbidities and treatment expectations were evaluated using a structured questionnaire. In total, 341 GPs and 41 urologists recruited 1492 patients. Most (74%) were untreated and 25% had ED for >3 years. Considering PDE5 inhibitors, erection hardness (89%) and maintenance (92%) were considered 'very important' by most patients. Only 18% of physicians initiated discussion about ED, despite 41% of patients having 3 known risk factors. The questionnaire was considered helpful by 81% of GPs and 83% of their patients. Overall, patients are under-diagnosed, and physicians are reluctant to ask about ED. A questionnaire including erection hardness score is useful to facilitate discussion about ED in general practice. Erection hardness and maintenance are more important to patients as compared to fast onset or long duration of action.