Assessment of sexual function/dysfunction via patient reported outcomes.

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Psychology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Sexual dysfunctions are highly prevalent in society.
• Significant pharmaceutical investment fuels research in sexual functioning.
• There is a growing need for reliable assessment tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the expansion and importance of valid measures for sexual function/dysfunction.
• To discuss the role of these measures in clinical drug trials and general practice.
• To emphasize the adherence to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Development of brief, self-report inventories.
• Validation of instruments for both men and women.
• Ensuring instruments meet rigorous FDA guidelines.

Main Results:

• Instruments are brief, requiring 10-20 minutes for completion.
• Measures are valid and reliable indicators of sexual functioning status.
• Self-report scales are essential for assessing constructs not amenable to physical measurement.

Conclusions:

• These self-report inventories are indispensable tools in clinical and research settings.
• They provide a concise and reliable method for quantifying sexual functioning.
• The measures are vital for advancing the understanding and treatment of sexual dysfunctions.