Abstract
A study was conducted to assess the validity of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) as a means of distinguishing between psychogenic and organic erectile failure (impotence). On the basis of independent clinical criteria, patients were assigned to one of four diagnostic categories—organic impotence, psychogenic impotence, mixed etiology, and uncertain etiology. The NPT characteristics of the patients in the organic and psychogenic groups were compared and decision rules formulated in order to provide optimal discrimination between the two diagnostic categories. A decision rule based on the maximum erectile response observed for each patient led to the correct diagnosis in 80% of cases. Accuracy was increased to 95% when a decision rule based on the maximum frequency of nocturnal erections was employed. The clinical value and limitations of NPT as a diagnostic procedure are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Coble, P., McPartland, R. J., Silva, W. J., and Kupfer, D. J. (1974). Is there a first night effect? (A revisit).Biol. Psychiat. 9: 215–219.
Fisher, C., Gross, J., and Zuch, J. (1965). Cycle of penile erection synchronous with dreaming (REM) sleep: Preliminary report.Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 12: 29–45.
Fisher, C., Schiavi, R., Lear, H., Edwards, A., Davis, D. M., and Witken, A. P. (1975). The assessment of nocturnal REM erection in the differential diagnosis of sexual impotence.J. Sex Marital Ther. 1: 277–289.
Jovanović, U. J. (1972).Sexuelle Reaktionen und Schlafperiodik bei Menschen. Ergebnisse Experimenteller Untersuchungen Ferdinand EnkeVerlag, Stuttgart.
Kahn, E., and Fisher, C. (1969). Some correlates of rapid eye movement sleep in the normal aged male.J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 148: 495–505.
Karacan, I., Hursch, C. J., Williams, R. L., and Thornby, J. I. (1972). Some characteristics of nocturnal penile tumescence in young adults.Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 26: 351–356.
Karacan, I., Scott, F. B., Salis, P. J., Attia, S. L., Ware, J. C., Altinel, A., and Williams, R. L. (1977). Nocturnal erections, differential diagnosis of impotence and diabetes.Biol. Psychiat. 12: 373–380.
Karacan, I., Williams, R. L., Thornby, J. I., and Salis, P. J. (1975). Sleep related penile tumescence as a function of age.Am. J. Psychiat. 132: 932–937.
Ohlmeyer, P., Brilmayer, H., and Hullstrung, H. (1944). Periodische vorgange in schlaf.Pflueger Arch. Ges. Physiol. 248: 559–560.
Rechtschaffen, A., and Kales, A. (1968).A Manual of Standardized Terminology, Techniques and Scoring System for Sleep Stages in Human Subjects U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
Schiavi, R. C., Davis, D. M., Fogel, M., White, D., Edwards, A., Igel, G., Szechter, R., and Fisher, C. (1977). Luteinizing hormone and testosterone during nocturnal sleep: Relation to penile tumescent cycles.Arch. Sex. Behav. 6: 97–104.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Marshall, P., Surridge, D. & Delva, N. The role of nocturnal penile tumescence in differentiating between organic and psychogenic impotence: The first stage of validation. Arch Sex Behav 10, 1–10 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542669
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01542669