Translation, adaptation, and clinical validation of the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool in Spanish (Colombia)

Sex Med. 2023 Jan 30;11(1):qfac017. doi: 10.1093/sexmed/qfac017. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Premature ejaculation is the most prevalent form of sexual dysfunction in men. The Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) is an instrument used to evaluate premature ejaculation. It offers adequate psychometric properties and good reliability.

Aim: To adapt and validate a Colombian version of the PEDT in Colombian clinical and nonclinical samples.

Methods: Two samples were used in this study. The first was made up of 1110 men who were recruited to evaluate validity and reliability. Their ages ranged from 19 to 65 years (mean ± SD, 39.71 ± 12.53). The second sample included 123 men (66.7%) who did not meet diagnostic criteria for premature ejaculation per the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), while 33.3% met ICD-10 criteria for this dysfunction. Their ages ranged from 18 to 65 years (34.19 ± 12.65). Scores were used to calculate the cutoff.

Outcomes: A translated and adapted version of the PEDT was developed specifically for Colombia. All participants completed the Colombian version of the PEDT, a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Colombian version of the Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire, and a semistructured interview based on the ICD-10.

Results: The results showed adequate psychometric properties and satisfactory internal consistency and confirmed the 1-dimensional factorization of the scale. According to ICD-10 criteria, the study also confirmed significant differences between participants who self-reported premature ejaculation and those who did not. In addition, it showed adequate evidence of convergent validity, with a moderate correlation with sexual functioning scores. As a result, the cutoff point was set to 10.5, with an area under the curve of 96.8%. Therefore, a score ≥11 points suggested the presence of premature ejaculation.

Clinical translation: The current Colombian version of the PEDT is a useful instrument that determines the presence of premature ejaculation that is compatible with ICD-10 criteria.

Strengths and limitations: The Colombian version of the PEDT presents evidence of reliability and validity, a confirmed 1-dimensional factorization, and a cutoff point for Hispanic populations. More in-depth evaluation of the diagnosis of premature ejaculation is required, and further research among other Spanish-speaking countries and sexual minorities is recommended.

Conclusion: The Colombian version of the PEDT is a psychometric adequacy tool for evaluating and diagnosing premature ejaculation, following the ICD-10 criteria.

Keywords: Colombia; ICD-10; PEDT; Spanish; men; premature ejaculation; sexual function.