Aim of this study is to explore the relationship between ED and different psychopathological symptoms.

A consecutive series of 1388 (mean age 51±13 years) male patients with ED was studied. Several hormonal and biochemical parameters were investigated, along with SIEDY (13 item Structured Interview, which identifies and quantifies the contribution of organic, relational and intrapsychic domains of ED) and the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire (a self-reported test for the screening of mental disorders in a non-psychiatric setting).

Depressive (D) and phobic-anxiety (PHA) symptoms were associated with the relational domain of SIEDY, somatization (S) with the organic one, while free-floating anxiety (FFA), obsessive-compulsive (OC) and PHA symptoms were significantly related with higher intra-psychic scores. In addition, relevant D was associated with hypogonadism, low frequency of intercourse, hypoactive sexual desire (HSD), and conflictual couple and family relationships. Patients with high FFA symptoms were younger, and complained of an unsatisfactory work and a conflictual relationships within family. Conversely, subjects with higher PHA symptoms displayed a more robust relational functioning. Similar results were observed in subjects with OC symptoms, who also reported a lower prevalence of HSD. Finally, subjects with S symptoms showed the worst erectile function.

This study alters various clinicians that many psychiatric symptoms can be found among ED patients. Systematic testing of patients with ED, through psychiatric questionnaires, is recommended to detect even slight or moderate psychopathological distresses, which specifically associate and exacerbate sexual disturbances.