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An interdisciplinary study towards a multiaxial classification of male sexual dysfunction
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|August 1, 1991
Summary
This study on male sexual dysfunction (SD) found high comorbidity between biological and mental health conditions. A modification to the DSM-III-R classification system is proposed based on these findings.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Psychiatry
- Sexual Medicine
Background:
- Male sexual dysfunction (SD) presents complex etiological factors.
- Existing classification systems may not fully capture the multifactorial nature of SD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the classification of male sexual dysfunction.
- To analyze the fit of current classification systems with clinical data.
- To propose modifications to the DSM-III-R classification system.
Main Methods:
- Multidisciplinary study of 25 male outpatients with sexual dysfunction.
- Phenomenological, etiological, and comorbidity assessment.
- Evaluation against DSM-III, DSM-III-R, Mainz multiaxial, and dichotomy models.
Main Results:
- All patients experienced arousal disorders; desire and orgasm disorders were also prevalent.
- Arousal disorders typically preceded other sexual dysfunctions.
- High comorbidity of biological and psychopathological disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression) was observed in 60% of patients.
- Only 6 patients were free of known organic causes for SD.
Conclusions:
- Male sexual dysfunction frequently involves multiple interacting etiologic factors.
- The high comorbidity observed suggests limitations in current classification systems.
- A modified DSM-III-R system is recommended to better reflect the complex etiology of male sexual dysfunction.