JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used, also in urology, to measure patient’s perspective of functional well-being, disease burden, treatment effectiveness and clinical decision making. Electronic versions are increasingly feasible due to smartphone and tablet usage. However, validation of these electronic PROMs (ePROMs) is warranted for justified implementation. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) 5 and 15 are widely used PROMs in urology to measure erectile dysfunction. Measurement reliability and validity testing of the IIEF ePROMs is essential prior to clinical application.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to assess reliability and validity of an ePROM version of both IIEF-5 and 15.

Methods:

179 patients were included from our urology outpatient clinic. The study had a randomized cross-over design, participants completed either a paper and electronic IIEF-5/15 or twice an electronic version, with a five day delay. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman-Brown coefficient, test-retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and convergent validity using the Pearson’s and Spearmen correlation coefficient.

Results:

122 participants completed the study. Internal consistency was excellent for the electronic IIEF-5 (0.902) and good to excellent for the domains of the IIEF-15 (ICC 0.962 – 0.834). Test-retest reliability was excellent for the IIEF-5 (ICC 0.924) and good to excellent for the domains of the IIEF-15 (ICC 0.950 – 0.778). Convergent validity was excellent for the IIEF-5 and IIEF-15 with a correlation of r = 0.923 and r = 0.951, respectively.

Conclusions:

We successfully introduced patient acceptable ePROM versions of the IIEF-5 and IIEF-15. Our results demonstrate that the ePROM versions of the IIEF-5 and IIEF-15 can be reliably implemented, since outcomes are reliable and in accordance with findings of the paper version.