(O-29) QUALITY OF LIFE AND SELF-ESTEEM IN SPANISH MEN WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Sexuality is an important aspect for men, so suffering from pathologies such as erectile dysfunction (ED) can affect different areas of their lives beyond sexual health. Aim To evaluate the degree of affectation and the factors associated with the self-esteem and quality of life of men with ED. Methods and patients Men over 18 years old with ED treated in different cities in Spain participated. The general quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, WHOQOL-BREF), quality of sexual life (Sexual Life Quality Questionnaire-SLQQ), and the degree of self-esteem (Self-Esteem and Relationship-SEAR) were evaluated, and identified factors associated with these constructs. How ED affects areas and quality of life was qualitatively explored with semi-structured interviews. Results 356 men participated in the quantitative phase and 21 in the qualitative phase. The average age was 58.2 years old (SD 12.2), 13.2% lived in Madrid, 55.6% worked, 59% lived with their partner, 98% were heterosexual, and 72.2% presented comorbidities related to ED. The mean IIEF was 11.4 (SD 6.6) and the mean time with ED was 5.9 years. In 17.4% the general quality of life was very bad or regular and in 55.3% quite good or very good, with no association found between this value and the quality of the erection or the degree of ED. The average score for the SLQQ questionnaire was 48.7 (SD 1.4) and for the SEAR questionnaire was 36.4 (SD 17.76), with an average score of 37.9 (SD 18.5) on the self-esteem subscale. Time with ED and frequency of sexual relations was associated with low self-esteem and confidence, and the severity of ED was associated with a low score in the social relationships domain (p<0.05). In the qualitative evaluation, few patients considered that ED affects other areas of their lives in addition to their sexual health. Conclusions ED can negatively affect the quality of sexual life and self-esteem in Spanish men, but other areas of their lives are not affected. Financing Boston Medical Group.