A Single-Centre Clinical Audit of Erectile Dysfunction Assessment and Management in UK General Practice Against National Guidelines
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition with significant psychosocial and cardiometabolic implications, particularly in ageing populations. This quality improvement project evaluated whether the assessment and management of ED at a community general practice aligned with contemporary clinical guidelines, including those from the British Society for Sexual Medicine and the European Association of Urology. A retrospective audit was conducted using electronic patient records from a cohort of individuals prescribed ED medications between July 2023 and July 2024. Fifty patients were randomly selected, excluding those diagnosed prior to 2017, to ensure relevance to current standards. Three key criteria were assessed: appropriate biochemical investigation for underlying causes, documentation of cardiovascular (CVD) risk assessment, and prescribing of cost-effective first-line pharmacotherapy. Audit performance demonstrated that 41/50 patients (82%) received recommended blood tests (standard: 85%), 38/50 patients (76%) underwent documented CVD risk assessment (standard: 80%), and 45/50 patients (90%) were prescribed low-cost phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (standard: 90%). While prescribing practices met expected standards, gaps were identified in comprehensive investigation and cardiovascular evaluation. Findings suggest that although ED management at the practice is broadly aligned with national guidance, improvements are needed in systematic risk assessment and…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 50 participants or records.
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