The physician's gender influences the results of the diagnostic workup for erectile dysfunction.
Physician gender
erectile dysfunction
intracavernousal injection
structured interview of erectile function
Journal
Andrology
ISSN: 2047-2927
Titre abrégé: Andrology
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101585129
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
05 2020
05 2020
Historique:
received:
16
07
2019
revised:
11
12
2019
accepted:
05
01
2020
pubmed:
20
1
2020
medline:
26
5
2021
entrez:
20
1
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Despite the well-known influence of psychological and situational factors on erectile dysfunction, the influence of the physician's gender on the andrological workup has never been investigated so far. To investigate physician's gender influence on the erectile dysfunction diagnostic workup. Cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection. We evaluate a consecutive series of erectile dysfunction patients: 95 at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) and 1808 at the University of Florence (UNIFI). In the UNIMORE cohort (Cohort 1), intracavernousal injection test was performed in case of suspected vascular pathogenic component. In the UNIFI cohort (Cohort 2), patients were evaluated by structured interview on erectile dysfunction and ANDROTEST. Both cohorts were divided into two groups according to the gender of the physician who performed the intracavernousal injection test or the structured interview. In Cohort 1, patients who had the intracavernousal injection test performed by a female physician had a significantly higher probability of obtaining a better intracavernousal injection test response. In Cohort 2, patients interviewed by female physician more frequently reported to have a conflictual couple relationship and a reduced frequency of climax in their partners. However, they reported less difficulties in achieving and maintaining erection, higher frequency of autoeroticism, lower occurrence of erectile dysfunction during masturbation and lower impairment in morning erections. Physician's gender affects the results obtained during the erectile dysfunction diagnostic workup. Men interviewed by a female physician describe a less severe erectile dysfunction probably as attempt to defend their own virility. On the other hand, the presence of a male physician during intracavernousal injection test is associated to a worse response suggesting a possible unconscious competition.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Despite the well-known influence of psychological and situational factors on erectile dysfunction, the influence of the physician's gender on the andrological workup has never been investigated so far.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate physician's gender influence on the erectile dysfunction diagnostic workup.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection. We evaluate a consecutive series of erectile dysfunction patients: 95 at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) and 1808 at the University of Florence (UNIFI). In the UNIMORE cohort (Cohort 1), intracavernousal injection test was performed in case of suspected vascular pathogenic component. In the UNIFI cohort (Cohort 2), patients were evaluated by structured interview on erectile dysfunction and ANDROTEST. Both cohorts were divided into two groups according to the gender of the physician who performed the intracavernousal injection test or the structured interview.
RESULTS
In Cohort 1, patients who had the intracavernousal injection test performed by a female physician had a significantly higher probability of obtaining a better intracavernousal injection test response. In Cohort 2, patients interviewed by female physician more frequently reported to have a conflictual couple relationship and a reduced frequency of climax in their partners. However, they reported less difficulties in achieving and maintaining erection, higher frequency of autoeroticism, lower occurrence of erectile dysfunction during masturbation and lower impairment in morning erections.
CONCLUSIONS
Physician's gender affects the results obtained during the erectile dysfunction diagnostic workup. Men interviewed by a female physician describe a less severe erectile dysfunction probably as attempt to defend their own virility. On the other hand, the presence of a male physician during intracavernousal injection test is associated to a worse response suggesting a possible unconscious competition.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
671-679Informations de copyright
© 2020 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.
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