Heart failure & cardiomyopathies
Poor Communication Impairs Optimal Care of Patients with Heart Failure and Erectile Dysfunction
Authors' conclusion
The results of our surveys suggest that most of the male HF patients may be receiving incomplete ED management also affecting HF treatment, most likely due to impaired communication with their HCPs with barriers from both sides. HCPs giving patients advice on this topic are urgently needed to improve patients' QoL, reduce patient suffering and avoid discontinuation of HF medications for fear of side effects.
Study context
- Population
- Male patients with heart failure (HF) (including those with comorbid erectile dysfunction (ED)) and physicians including general practitioners (GPs), cardiologists and internists in Germanymale patients with HF (patient survey) 927 · patients with HF and comorbid ED providing further information 176 · physicians (HCP survey) 78
- Participants
- 927 vs 78
- Comparison
- Patients with HF vs healthcare professionals (HCPs)
- Patients with HFn = 927
- HCPsn = 78
- Outcome
- Age of participating male patients with HF
Methodological detailsTwo independent online surveys, November 2021 and January 2022, Germany
- Two independent online surveys
- November 2021 and January 2022
- Germany
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Patients with HF
55
average · years
Further findings
Patients' suffering due to ED reported as moderate to severe
| Outcome | Patients with HF | HCPs |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual life importance and satisfaction | ||
| Rated sexual life as important | Fifty-six per cent | — not stated in the abstract |
| Unsatisfied with sexual life | 43% | — not stated in the abstract |
| Consultations about ED / proactively addressing ED | ||
| Reporting consultations about ED | 27% | — not stated in the abstract |
| Claimed to proactively address ED during counselling | — not stated in the abstract | 58% |
| Discomfort talking about ED | ||
| Felt patients were uncomfortable talking about ED | — not stated in the abstract | Thirty-nine per cent |
| Reported discomfort | 7% | — not stated in the abstract |
— not stated in the abstract
- Non-compliance with HF medication due to ED, as reported by HCPs
- 32%
Among male HF patients with ED: felt left alone; would like to talk to an HCP
- Of male HF patients with ED, felt left alone
- 69%
- Of male HF patients with ED, would like to talk to an HCP
- 74%
Patients with ED receiving prescription drugs for ED management
- Of patients with ED, receive prescription drugs for ED management
- 20%
Original publication
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