Summary
The Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP) is a validated, 4-item, patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure designed to evaluate multiple dimensions of premature ejaculation (PE). It is intended for use by clinicians in both clinical research settings and routine clinical practice to assess the severity and impact of premature ejaculation (PE) on an individual. Purpose and Primary Use:The primary purpose of the PEP is to provide a standardized and comprehensive assessment of a patient's experience with PE. It measures four key domains:Perceived control over ejaculationPersonal distress related to ejaculationSatisfaction with sexual intercourseInterpersonal difficulty related to ejaculation The questionnaire helps quantify these subjective aspects of PE, aiding clinicians in understanding the patient's condition, determining the severity, guiding treatment choices, and monitoring the effectiveness of interventions. The PEP typically asks patients to reflect on their experiences 'over the past month'. Sources, References, and Literature:The PEP was developed and validated by Patrick, D. L., Giuliano, F., Ho, K. F., Gagnon, D. D., McNulty, P., & Rothman, M (2009). The study demonstrated that the PEP possesses strong psychometric properties, including good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. It was shown to effectively discriminate between men diagnosed with PE (according to DSM-IV-TR criteria) and a control group of men without PE. The PEP is also sensitive to changes in PE symptoms, making it a valuable tool for assessing treatment outcomes in clinical trials and practice. Clinical Workflow and Parameters:The PEP is administered as a self-report questionnaire containing four items. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with scores ranging from 0 to 4. The specific questions and scoring options are:Control: 'Over the past month, was your control over ejaculation during sexual intercourse?' (0=Very poor, 1=Poor, 2=Fair, 3=Good, 4=Very good)Distress: 'How distressed are you by how fast you ejaculate during sexual intercourse?' (0=Extremely, 1=Quite a bit, 2=Moderately, 3=A little bit, 4=Not at all)Satisfaction: 'Over the past month, was your satisfaction with sexual intercourse?' (0=Very poor, 1=Poor, 2=Fair, 3=Good, 4=Very good)Interpersonal Difficulty: 'To what extent does how fast you ejaculate during sexual intercourse cause difficulty in your relationship with your partner?' (0=Extremely, 1=Quite a bit, 2=Moderately, 3=A little bit, 4=Not at all) The individual scores for each of the four items are summed to yield a total PEP score. This total score can range from 0 (most severe PE impact) to 16 (least severe PE impact/best outcome). Higher scores indicate better control, less distress, greater satisfaction, and less interpersonal difficulty. Interpretation of the total score should be guided by clinical context and the normative data provided in the validation studies. Limitations:As a self-reported measure, the PEP is subject to the patient's subjective interpretation and potential recall bias regarding experiences over the past month. It should be used as one component of a broader clinical assessment, which may include a detailed medical history, physical examination, and other relevant diagnostic tools. The tool's effectiveness may also depend on the patient's understanding of the questions and willingness to report accurately.