Interdisciplinary assessment and follow-up of patients with erectile dysfunction - psychiatric aspects

The objectives of this investigation were to assess the psychiatric comorbidity and patients' satisfaction with treatment in a sample of 73 men with erectile dysfunction (ED) who were consecutively admitted to an andrologic outpatient centre. After comprehensive interdisciplinary assessment, 49% of these patients were assigned an organic etiology, 33% had psychogenic impotence, and in 18% somatic and psychogenic factors seemed to be relevant. 63% of all patients received a psychiatric diagnosis (according to ICD-9). Depressive disorders were found in 25%. Organic psychosyndromes (nonpsychotic) were prominent in the somatic group. In a follow-up after 29.4+/-5.0 months, 41 out of 73 patients could be reevaluated, of which 85% of organic patients had received some kind of therapy, but 65% were not satisfied with the chosen treatment. These results underline the importance of close interdisciplinary co-operation in the assessment and therapy of patients with erectile impotence. Potential reasons for drop-out and limited acceptance of the offered treatments are discussed.