Association between the erectile dysfunction inventory of treatment satisfaction and the self-esteem and relationship questionnaire following treatment with sildenafil citrate for men with erectile dysfunction

Objectives: Research is lacking on the correlation between treatment satisfaction and confidence, self-esteem, and relationships for men receiving treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). We sought to correlate scores between the validated Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) index and the validated Self-Esteem And Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire following treatment with sildenafil citrate (VIAGRA). Methods: This study was based on an open-label, flexible-dose trial of 93 sildenafil-naive patients with ED. Pearson correlation coefficients between EDITS index and SEAR questionnaire scores, each of which can range from 0 to 100 (most favorable), were calculated at end of treatment (EOT). An analysis of covariance model was applied to associate changes from baseline to EOT in SEAR scores with EDITS score at EOT, controlling for baseline SEAR score. Results: Significant and sizable Pearson's correlations between SEAR and EDITS scores (P <= 0.0001; range: 0.49-0.84) were observed. A 10-point higher EDITS scores at EOT corresponded to a significant and tangible average improvement in SEAR scores from baseline to EOT (P <= 0.0001; range: 6.6-8.7). Average SEAR scores at EOT were markedly different between patients with greater treatment satisfaction at EOT (EDITS score >= median EDITS score of 88.6; n = 50) and those with lesser treatment satisfaction at EOT (EDITS score < 88.6; n = 43). Conclusions: The data add to the validity of the SEAR questionnaire, suggest a tangible relationship between treatment satisfaction and psychosocial benefit among men with ED treated with sildenafil, and highlight the importance of assessing the psychosocial impact of ED in men undergoing treatment.