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Introduction. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP), and Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) assess efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Aims. To determine the degree that multiplicity of satisfaction questions in ED treatment evaluation instruments are congruent, to better understand the concept of sexual "satisfaction,"and to identify factors that correlate with improvement. Methods. Questionnaire data from 4,174 placebo- or tadalafil-treated patients with ED were analyzed. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on IIEF and SEP satisfaction questions. Spearman correlation coefficients were determined. Data from 431 of the 4,174 patients who completed EDITS questionnaires were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to investigate improvement of each IIEF satisfaction question. Results. PCA rotated on three factors explained 91% of total variance and separated IIEF Q6 (intercourse frequency) from a SEP and a remaining IIEF factor. All correlations between and among questions were close (ρ = 0.62-0.98; P < 0.0001), except for those with IIEF Q6 (ρ = 0.28-0.34; P < 0.0001). In a sub-sample, PCA of five IIEF, two SEP, and three EDITS questions identified four factors that explained 90% of all variance: EDITS questions, IIEF questions except Q6, SEP questions, and IIEF Q6. Greater improvement in IIEF-EF domain score was consistently and positively associated with satisfaction measures (P < 0.0001). Conclusions. Factor analysis detected close relationships among satisfaction questions in IIEF, SEP, and EDITS instruments, each of which, apart from IIEF Q6 (intercourse frequency), appeared to be an independent measure of satisfaction. Cultural differences may explain different satisfaction correlations with baseline ED severity in different regions. Clinicians may make use of the correlation between intercourse frequency (Q6

A multicentre, non-randomised, open-label study assessed whether personal distress caused by erectile dysfunction (ED) affected psychosocial outcomes of tadalafil treatment. Eligible Swedish men at least 18 years old reporting >= 3-month history of ED were stratified into two groups (manifest or mild/no distress) based upon a distress question administered at enrolment. Tadalafil 20 mg was taken as needed for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the difference between the two distress groups in change from baseline in the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales (PAIRS) spontaneity domain. Secondary outcome measures were PAIRS sexual self-confidence and time concerns domains, Life Satisfaction (LiSat-11) checklist and a Global Assessment of Treatment Response. The study also assessed tolerability. Of 662 men enrolled, 88% had manifest distress and 12% had mild/no distress. Baseline-to-endpoint changes for PAIRS domains were not significantly different between groups. Baseline-to-endpoint changes in LiSat-11 items were not significantly different between groups except for satisfaction with sexual life. Compared with men without ED, below normal baseline satisfaction with partner relationship and family life were normalised at endpoint. Over 90% of men reported improved erection and ability to engage in sexual activity. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were headache, myalgia, dyspepsia, flushing and back pain. One man discontinued because of myalgia; 630 (95%) completed the study. In conclusion, erectile distress levels vary among patients with ED and distress can affect intra-familiar aspects of life, which may have implications for clinical practise. However, distress does not appear to hinder improvement in both mechanical and psychosocial outcomes of tadalafil treatment.

Purpose. The aim of the study was to evaluate which factors are associated with the use of healthcare a long time after severe burn injury. Method. After a review process based on clinical reasoning, 69 former burn patients out of a consecutive group treated at the Uppsala Burn Unit from 1980 – 1995 were visited in their homes and their use of care and support was assessed in a semi-structured interview. Post-burn health was assessed with the Burn-Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) and personality was assessed with the Swedish universities Scales of Personality (SSP). Results. The participants were injured on average eight years previously. Thirty-four had current contact with healthcare due to their burn injury and had significantly lower scores on three BSHS-B-domains: Simple Abilities, Work and Hand function, and significantly higher scores for the SSP-domain Neuroticism and the SSP-scales Stress Susceptibility, Lack of Assertiveness, and lower scores for Social Desirability. There was no relation to age, gender, time since injury, length of stay, or to the surface area burned. Conclusions. A routine screening of personality traits as a supplement to long-term follow-ups may help in identifying the patient's need for care.

Objectives: The objectives of this prospective study, under-taken in elderly patients with stroke undergoing rehabilita-tion, were to determine to what extent fall-related self-efficacy changes over time, its relationships to objectivelyassessed functions and activities, and the predictive capacityof self-efficacy at discharge for activities of daily living 10months after stroke. Methods: The study comprised 37 patients, aged 66–89 years.Main outcome measurement instruments were the FallsEfficacy Scale (Swedish version), Berg Balance Scale andFunctional Independence Measure. Results: Significant improvements occurred in all thesemeasures from admission to discharge, but patients with lowself-efficacy at discharge showed less pronounced improve-ments than those with high self-efficacy. Falls Efficacy Scale(Swedish version) was closely associated with all othermeasures and was a more powerful predictor of activities ofdaily living than the observer-based measures of balance. Conclusion: To minimize dependence in activities of dailyliving, rehabilitation interventions should incorporate self-efficacy enhancement.

Background. The Burn Specific Health Scale (BSHS) is an outcome scale designed specifically for burn patients. The scale has been abbreviated (BSHS-A) and revised (BSHS-R). We used a factor analytic approach to further improve the scale for clinical use., Addresses: Gerdin B, Univ Hosp, Dept Plast Surg, Burn Unit, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden. Univ Hosp, Dept Plast Surg, Burn Unit, SE-75185 Uppsala, Sweden. Univ Hosp, Dept Psychol, Uppsala, Sweden. Univ Hosp, Dept Neurosci Rehabil Med, Uppsala, Sweden.