Erectile dysfunction and mobile phone applications: Quality, content and adherence to European Association guidelines on male sexual dysfunction

Submitted: May 17, 2022
Accepted: May 20, 2022
Published: June 30, 2022
Abstract Views: 1413
PDF: 751
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Authors

Introduction: Nowadays numerous mobile health applications (MHA) have been developed to assist and simplify the life of patients affected by erectile dysfunction (ED), however the scientific quality and the adherence to guidelines are not yet addressed and solved. Materials and methods: On 17 January 2022, we conducted a search in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.We reviewed all mobile apps from iTunes App Store and Google Play Store for ED and evaluated different aspects as well as their usage in screening, prevention, management, and their adherence to EAU guidelines. Results: A total of 18 apps were reviewed. All apps are geared towards the patient and provide information about diagnoses and treatment of ED. Conclusions: MHA represent an integral part of patients’ lives, and apps providing services for male sexual dysfunction are constantly increasing. Despite this the overall quality is still low. Although many of these devices are useful in ED, the problems of scientific validation, content, and quality are not yet solved. Further work is needed to improve the quality of apps and developing new accessible, user designed, and high-quality apps.

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How to Cite

Napolitano, L., Fusco, G. M., Cirillo, L., Abate, M., Mirone, C., Barone, B., Celentano, G., La Rocca, R., Mirone, V., Creta, M., & Capece, M. (2022). Erectile dysfunction and mobile phone applications: Quality, content and adherence to European Association guidelines on male sexual dysfunction. Archivio Italiano Di Urologia E Andrologia, 94(2), 211–216. https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2022.2.211