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Wu CJ, Hsieh JT, Lin JS, Hwang TI, Jiann BP, Huang ST, Wang CJ, Lee SS, Chiang HS, Chen KK, Lin HD. Comparison of prevalence between self-reported erectile dysfunction and erectile dysfunction as defined by five-item International Index of Erectile Function in Taiwanese men older than 40 years. Urology 2007;69:743-747.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the accuracy of self reporting of ED is comparable to the well established and validated five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). The results of this study are important to every day practice of all clinicians and researchers who treat and investigate erectile function and dysfunction.

Methods: During 2003, 990 Taiwanese men older than 40 years of age completed a telephone survey designed to assess ED prevalence and sexual functioning. ED was identified through: 1. respondent self-report and 2. Investigator assessment using the IIEF-5 instrument.

Results: The prevalence of self-reported ED was 13.1%, with 26.2% of this subgroup subsequently deemed to not have ED by IIEF-5 assessment. Among men self-reported to not have ED, 18.8% were found to have ED by IIEF-5 assessment. In total, 26.0% of respondents had ED by IIEF-5 assessment. The ED prevalence increased with age and a history of chronic illness. The frequency of sexual contact and sexual satisfaction were also reduced in the respondents with ED.

Conclusions: Self-reporting alone is not reliable enough to determine ED prevalence in General population, because there is a general tendency to underestimate the true prevalence of ED.