The Spanish Version of the International Index of Erectile Function: Adaptation and Validation

Esther Díaz-Mohedo, Antonio Meldaña Sánchez (), Francisco Cabello Santamaría, Elena Molina García, Sofía Hernández Hernández and Fidel Hita-Contreras
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Esther Díaz-Mohedo: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Science, Ampliación de Campus de Teatinos, University of Malaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Antonio Meldaña Sánchez: PELVICUS, Pelvic Floor Service, 28500 Madrid, Spain
Francisco Cabello Santamaría: Andalusian Institute of Sexology and Psychology, 29001 Málaga, Spain
Elena Molina García: Freelance Physiotherapist, 29720 Málaga, Spain
Sofía Hernández Hernández: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Fidel Hita-Contreras: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Science, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-9

Abstract: Background: The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) is a widely employed questionnaire in urology to assess erectile dysfunction (ED) in both clinical research and practice. Objective: To translate and culturally adapt the Spanish version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and to analyze its psychometric properties in Spanish men with erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: Firstly, direct and reverse translations were performed. Secondly, a pilot study was carried out on 23 patients with the lowest possible education level without being illiterate. Finally, 170 participants completed the IIEF. Test–retest reliability, internal consistency and construct validity (exploratory factor analysis) were assessed. Concurrent and divergent validity were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), respectively. Discriminant validity (with and without anxiety or depression) was calculated using a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: High internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.968, total score) and moderate-to-excellent test–retest reliability were found. The factor analysis showed a two-factor structure (explained variance of 77.34%). Significant correlations of the IIEF total score ( p < 0.01) and domains ( p < 0.05) with HADS anxiety and depression scores were observed (concurrent validity), while non-significant correlations with SF-12 physical and mental summary scores were found (divergent validity). The IIEF total score could discriminate between participants with and without anxiety ( p < 0.05) and depression ( p < 0.01), with an optimal cut-off point of <39.50 for both anxiety (48.30% sensitivity and 78.75% specificity) and depression (50.00% sensitivity and 81.01% specificity). Clinical implications: The psychometric properties of the IIEF have not been analyzed in Spanish people to date. Strengths and Limitations: The Spanish version of the IIEF was shown to be capable of discriminating between men with erectile dysfunction with and without depression or anxiety. There are some limitations to this study that should be noted. It was conducted on Spanish participants, and, thus, it should be employed with caution in other Spanish-speaking countries. This study was carried out on a selected population, and, therefore, the generalizability of its results to other populations might be limited. Moreover, a large majority of the participants (89.41%) had secondary or higher education. Future studies should be performed on a more general population with a varied geographical and educational background. Conclusions: The Spanish IIEF is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing erectile function among Spanish men with ED.

Keywords: erectile function; Spanish; validation; psychometric (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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