Polish translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the five-item International Index of Erectile Function

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects men worldwide and impairs physical and mental health and quality of life. Use of specific ED-dedicated tools is currently recommended to assess ED severity. A widely used instrument is the International Index of Erectile Function short form (IIEF-5). The IIEF-5 was not yet rigorously translated and adapted in Polish. Therefore, the aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the IIEF-5 in Polish to extend its applicability as an evaluation tool for clinical and research settings.

Professional, sworn, independent translators, in cooperation with Polish language specialists and the authors, translated the IIEF-5 into Polish according to standardized forward-backward procedures. The final translated version was further assessed during direct interviews with 30 men who had ED and who were recruited from the Department of Urology, Jagiellonian University, Poland. The content, wording, applicability, and cultural relevance of the translation were discussed with all the included patients.

The expert panel composed of the authors, translators, and Polish language specialists produced the Polish version of the IIEF-5. Thirty Polish-speaking men with ED, most with organic and severe ED, completed the questionnaire. All the participants agreed that the instrument was clear, easy to understand, complete, and quick to finish. No items were missing.

The Polish version of the IIEF-5 is a valid tool to determine ED severity. This evaluation instrument is valuable for clinical and research use, including use for population-based studies on ED prevalence and for interpreting findings among international studies.