Discrimination of organic versus psychological impotence with the DSFI: a failure to replicate

Patients with a presenting complaint of erectile dysfunction were extensively investigated by a research team consisting of a urologist, vascular surgeon, psychiatrist and psychiatric social worker. Patients were assigned to organic and psychogenic groups according to specified criteria. Multiple comparisons of psychogenic and organic impotence cases on scores derived from the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI) did not differentiate the two groups. This inventory did, however, manifest numerous relationships with demographic variables. Failure to identify a psychological profile characteristic of psychogenic impotence was attributed to the heterogenity of this diagnostic grouping and selection processes in seeking treatment for such disorders.