Abstract: Objective To investigate the validity and reliability of Item Erectile Function Scale (I-EF) for neurogenic erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods 104 patients with spinal cord injury were assessed with I-EF. They were measured with pudendal somatosensory nervous evoked potential (SEP), bulbocavernosus reflex potential time (BCR) and nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) detection. 34 patients accepted medicine for ED, and were assessed with I-EF after treatment. 21 patients with medium ED were assessed by 2 testers, and retested 2-4 weeks later. Results The patients who recorded their potential of SEP and BCR got the scores of Q1, Q2 above 7, and the absence with the scores of 3. Those found NPT 1-3 times got the score of Q3 above 7, and the absence with the scores of 3. The incidence of reflex erections and NPT were more in complete suprasacral ones than in complete sacral ones (P<0.05). There was significant improvement after medication in patients with mild to medium ED (P<0.05). The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.93 between testers and 0.90 between test-retest. Conclusion I-EF can be used to assess neurogenic erectile dysfunction for rehabilitation.

Key words: neurogenic erectile dysfunction, scale, spinal cord injury, rehabilitation, assessment, reliability, validity