Opinions, Attitudes, and Perceptions in Relation to Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation in the Undiagnosed Spanish Male Population. Results of the PANDORA Project

Abstract

BackgroundApproximately 43% of Spanish men report experiencing premature ejaculation (PE) at some point in their lives and 12.1% suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), of whom only 16.5% have seen a doctor. Despite this, ED and PE remain undiagnosed among a supposedly healthy segment of the population. AimTo assess the general knowledge of a representative population of healthy Spanish males of the symptoms, treatment, and expectations related to ED and PE. MethodsThis was a descriptive study based on an online questionnaire in which 2,515 males aged 25–75 years with no history of ED and/or PE presented their perception of aspects related to symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and expectations in ED and PE. Main Outcome MeasuresThe study provided an evaluation of the knowledge, attitude, and underdiagnosis of ED and/or PE in healthy males and the approach taken by urology specialists and other disciplines. ResultsThe survey was completed by 2,515 healthy males, including over 80% of those who had completed secondary or higher education. 60% of the sample had never seen a urologist and 59% and 62% of the participating men responded correctly to the statements about PE and ED, respectively. Their lack of knowledge of the therapeutic alternatives was clear (74% and 76% of the panel were unaware of the existence of effective treatments for ED and PE, respectively). Despite the initiative shown by some participants in seeking information about each condition (10.3% for ED; 16.7% for PE), only 4.7% of them had been questioned about ED by a medical practitioner (1.9% for PE). The underdiagnosis rate stood at 3.5% for ED (5.6% participants >65 years) and at about 10% for PE. Clinical ImplicationsThese results will represent a point of departure for establishing some recommendations to improve the detection and treatment of these disorders. Strengths & LimitationsThis is the first study of its kind in Spain to analyze the underdiagnosis of ED and/or PE inferred from data reported by a population of healthy males. Screening for ED was performed with a validated questionnaire. However, the rest of the research was conducted using adaptations of validated questionnaires or a self-designed questionnaire based on and in consultation with a group of experienced andrologists. ConclusionPeople need to have greater knowledge of both the conditions and the related false myths to make sure that they are familiar with the existence of drug treatments and socio-sanitary interventions. Primary care physicians and urologists should also be more proactive in routine visits in order to achieve better management of ED and PE.Prieto-Castro R, Puigvert-Martínez AM, Artigas-Feliu R, et al. Opinions, Attitudes, and Perceptions in Relation to Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation in the Undiagnosed Spanish Male Population. Results of the PANDORA Project. J Sex Med 2020;17:1495–1508.