(218) The Intimometer: A Brief Psychometric Self-Report Questionnaire
Authors: Mollaioli D , Sansone A , Jannini T , Jannini E 
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE) can severely affect the quality of life and wellbeing of both couple members. Sexual health care providers, including andrologists and sexologists, should perceive ED/PE as a collaborative health issue for men and their sexual partners. Thus, this study was designed to better understand the contribution of sexual partners in the treatment of men with ED/PE.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the advisability of female (or male, in the case of homosexual patient) partner involvement in the prescription of specific pharmacological therapies in ED/PE patients.

Methods

We developed a brief psychometric self-report questionnaire tool, Intimometer. This tool consists of two modules (patient and partner versions) for each sexual dysfunction (ED and PE). Each module has 6 items that evaluate the degree of comfort/discomfort about communication, sharing, and partner involvement during the process of drug prescription and intake. The tool can be administered during the first andrological visit to either a single individual (only patient version) or to both members of the couple. The single module can be administered in less than 3 minutes. Each item scores from 0 (extremely unlikely) to 4 (extremely likely), and the total score is computed by the sum of the modules’ items. The total score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores endorsing the partner's comfort during treatment of ED/PE. Also, color codes were assigned for responses, low scores (red light) and high scores (green light) or combination of single results (couple administration).

Results

We hypothesize one cut-off score to identify two categories of responses. A low score signifies that the patient feels uncomfortable sharing drug information, choice, and intake and the involvement of the partner could potentially be harmful during medical treatment. On the contrary, a high score shows the involvement of the partner could improve the treatment’s efficacy and/or compliance, with a high chance of success. The combination of the single results (red, yellow and green) helps to identify the best treatment choice. The red light indicates that prior to medical prescription, the couple undergoes a psycho-sexological assessment to unveil conditions to continue with medical treatment. Yellow light indicates contemporary to medical prescription, psycho-sexological assessment might manage relational issues that could worsen pharmacological treatment. And green light denotes that the instrument could be re-administered after 4 weeks since the first administration, to verify any changes in patient/partner’s perception of medical treatment. Moreover, a re-test is highly recommended in patients whose scores are low or medium. Nevertheless, patients and couples who are classified as “red” or “yellow” light could present any other psychological complications (performance anxiety, fear of rejection, anger towards partner) which can be evaluated by psycho-sexologists.

Conclusions

This instrument could be beneficial to physicians while prescribing medical therapy and prevent any possible patient dropout and resultant therapy failure, especially in PE and ED patients. The involvement of sexual partners in the diagnostic process, education, counseling, and treatment choice is pivotal in improving the overall quality of life and sexual experiences for couples.

Disclosure

Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: 2Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy.