This study was carried out to develop a Korean language version of Zung's self-rating depression scale (SDS). The subjects consisted of 173 males and 161 females drawn from various groups of the general population by a cluster of sampling methods. In order to analyze the data on depression scores, Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient method was carried .out, as well as reliability and factor analysis, by the SPSS/PC+ program. The results obtained were as follows: The mean average of the total depression scores were 40.60. 8.66 for the subjects. Thirty-seven subjects (11.1%) showed high depression scores of 50 or over. Test-retest reliability(coefficient r=0.82, p <0.001), internal consistency(coefficient r=0.84, p <0.001) were satisfactory. Factor analysis using oblique technique rotation yielded five factors. The items of confusion, indecisiveness, decreased libido, diurnal variation, and psychomotor retardation were scored higher by the subjects. The items of suicidal rumination, psychomotor agitation, constipation, irritability, and weight loss were scored lower.
Constipation ; Depression* ; Female ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Psychomotor Agitation ; Weight Loss

The authors studied depression, using Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) in the subjects of 3,499 male and 1,335 female college freshmen of Yeungnam University. The authors collected the reports of SDS during the periods from January to February, 1986, and applied ANOVA and t-test on depression scores in order to compare them between various psychosocial factors, and sexes. The results are as follows: There was significant difference in the mean averages of total depression scores between male and female students: male students scored 35.68+7.46, female students scored 38.93+7.26 (P<0.01). The depression scores relating to the items of indecisiveness, psychomotor retardation, decreased libido, and diurnal variation were relatively higher in both groups. One hundred and sixty-one male students (4.6%) showed seriously high degree depression scores of 50 or higher, while one-hundred and seventeen female students (8.8%) showed the same scores. Female students attending in liberal arts showed higher level of depression scores (P<0.01). There was a strong tendency toward higher depression scores in the students who were dissatisfies with their home atmosphere, college, department and familiarity of parents and those who had pessimistic views of self in the past, present or future in both groups (P<0.001).
Atmosphere ; Depression* ; Female ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Parents ; Psychology ; Recognition (Psychology)

PURPOSE: We investigated libido and sexual life satisfaction of middle-aged couples in Seoul. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2,034 couples ranging from 40 to 79 years old living in the Seoul metropolitan area were selected by stepwise random sampling. The questionnaires asking about erectile function, sexual performance, sexual life satisfaction, and libido were administered by trained interviewers. RESULTS: Interviews were completed for 1,356 couples(66.7%). The prevalence of severe and moderate loss of libido in the men was 29%. Decrease of libido correlated with increasing age. Higher scores on the erection scale of the O'Leary sexual function questionnaire were closely correlated with greater libido. In sexual function self-assessment, most male subjects did not complain of libido(53.8%), erection(61.7%), or ejaculation(63.8%) difficulties. Most couples(50.3% of the male and 53% of the female subjects) expressed satisfied with their sexual lives. Higher scores on the erection scale correlated with an increase in sexual satisfaction of both men and women. Fewer than half of the female subjects(40.4%) answered that they had 'no' or 'low' sexual interest. Younger age and more education were correlated with greater sexual interest. CONCLUSIONS: With increasing age, middle-aged couples living in Seoul showed a decrease in libido, sexual function, and sexual interest. However, satisfaction with their sexual life was high in general.
Aged ; Education ; Epidemiology ; Family Characteristics* ; Female ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Self-Assessment ; Seoul*

PURPOSE: Chronic prostatitis is characterized by various symptoms. To elucidate the prevalence of such symptoms, we developed a questionnaire composed of six pain-related, seven sex-related, and 11 voiding-related questions and evaluated chronic prostatitis patients under 50 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1995 to July 1996, a total of 500 patients (prostatitis 303, prostatodynia with history of prostatitis 153, prostatodynia only 44) underwent study. The mean age was 35 years and the average duration of infliction was 3.5 months. RESULTS: Perineal, testicular, and penile pains were the most often complained types of perceived pains. The most frequently complained voiding symptoms were frequency, weak stream, residual urine sensation and dribbling which were seen in over 40% of the patients. More than 50% of the patients responded as having some type of voiding difficulty. For sexual symptoms, premature ejaculation , decreased libido and orgasm, decreased potency, and pain associated with ejaculation were seen in 64%, 55%, 54%, and 47% of the patients. When the prostatitis and prostatodynia patients were compared to one another to find out any characteristic symptoms of prostatitis, there was no difference in pain but statistically significantly higher response was observed in ejaculation associated pain and a decrease in orgasm in the prostatitis group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data have helped to elucidate the characteristics of symptoms in prostatitis patients, and the questionaire can be used as a tool to standardize prostatitis symptoms, and to evaluate treatment responses.
Ejaculation ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Orgasm ; Premature Ejaculation ; Prevalence* ; Prostate* ; Prostatitis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rivers ; Sensation

BACKGROUND: Although sexuality in old women is important for the quality of life, that has been overlooked due to social indifference. Because the studies for sexuality in old women were lack in Korea, we surveyed sexuality and its influential factors in old women. METHODS: From March to July 2000, we surveyed 115 old women over 60 years with 22 items of questionnaire. Data was gathered through written responses to the questionnaire and one to one interview between doctor and subject. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS ver10.0/PC and its significance was tested by chi square(p<0.05). RESULTS: Mean age of 115 women is 64.84+/-4.54year. There are 80 cases(69.6%) that thought sexuality is important in old women. Sexuality and sexual interest get gradually decreased by aging. Marital state, age of husband, family structure, economic state, sexual interest are statistically significant as the influential factors of sexuality(p<0.05). Sexual satisfaction comes out 35.7%. Age, marital state, family structure, job, economic state, subjective health state, current medication, sexual interest are statistically signifiant as the influential factors of sexual satisfaction(p<0.05). The reasons of decreased sexuality is due to aging process(47.8%), no partner(17.4%), partner problem(14.8%), physical illness(10.4%) and decreased libido. CONCLUSION: We conclude that sexuality in old women is important. Its influential factors are marital state, age of husband, family structure, economic state, sexual interest. Age, marital state, family structure, job, economic state, subjective health state, current medication, sexual interest are statistically signifiant as the influential factors of sexual satisfaction.
Aging ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Libido ; Quality of Life ; Sexuality* ; Spouses ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The limited information regarding preservation of erectile function following castration is based on self-reports by castrated patients. Therefore, we evaluated the erectile status in 38 patients with advanced prostatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Castrations were achieved by bilateral orchiectomy, estrogen therapy of both. Patients answered the questionnaires regarding the medical status and erectile function before and after castration, and the blood levels of testosterone were assessed. Especially in seven patients, penile circumference and erection quality were monitored during the visual sexual stimulation. RESULTS: 11 patients(58%) out of 19 potent men achieved functional erection after castration. Mean serum testosterone level was 0.31 +/-0.19ng/ml in men who were potent after castration and 0.06+/- 0.04ng/m1 in those not potent(p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were noted in age, interval after castration, method of castration, degree of gynecomastia, stage of prostatic cancer and doing radiation therapy between the men who did and did not achieve erection(p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Following castration, sexual potency and libido decreased markedly in most cases, but 58% retained some degree of normal sexual potency. And, statistically significant difference was noted only in serum testosterone level between the men who did and did not achieve erection.
Castration* ; Estrogens ; Gynecomastia ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Testosterone

The frequency of sexual dysfunction from rectal cancer operation has been reported with wide range from 8 to 86%. We have performed prospective study to analyze the cause of sexual dysfunction after operation in rectum which is anatomically adjacent to cavernous nerve and artery The study was done from April 1991 to March 1992 with 26 patients who were neurologically normal before the radical rectal surgery. To study intraoperative vascular damage, we performed duplex doppler sonography of penile arteries preoperatively and on tenth postoperative day. To study neurologic insult urodynamic study was performed preoperatively, tenth postoperative day and postoperative sixth month, and subjective sexual history was obtained preoperatively and postoperative sixth month. There was no evidence of change in the diameter and peak velocity of cavernous artery on penile duplex sonography and penile rigidity, implying no vascular damage. Fourteen patients (53%) complained of sexual dysfunction in postoperative sixth month. Subjective sexual dysfunction showed no correlation with age, stage, mode of operation, tumor size, tumor location from anal verge and intraluminal position of the tumor. We couldn't find any association between postoperative decreased libido and decreased self-esteem from stoma, which confirms that psychologic cause does not seem to ascribe to erectile dysfunction. Patients with neurologic deficit were 21(81%) on tenth postoperative day, but only 4(17 %) out of 23 who were followed up to postoperative sixth month. This suggests that recovery of sexual dysfunction was delayed or impossible, compared with rapid recovery of bladder dysfunction. This also suggests additional intraoperative nerve damage along cavernous nerve pathway. In conclusion, sexual dysfunction after rectal cancer operation was not caused by vascular damage nor psychologic etiology. Nerve damage is rather highly suggested, but there was no correlation with stage and mode of operation.
Arteries ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Prospective Studies ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Rectum ; Urinary Bladder ; Urodynamics

Elevated levels of serum prolactin in patients with pituitary tumors have been associated with hypogonadism, frequently manifested in men as impotence and/or loss of libido. Among 2,896 consecutive impotent patients investigated at Severance Hospital 208( 7.2%) patients had serum levels of prolactin greater than 30 ng/ml. Of the 208 patients 16(7.7%) were diagnosed as pituitary tumor. The average age of 16 patients was 37.8 years and mean duration of erectile dysfunction was 4.2 years. The mean serum prolactin level was 238.14 ng/ ml. 13 of these patients were treated with operation, two with bromocriptine, and one was lost. The mean duration of follow up was 2.4 years(1 month-4.2 years). Of the eleven of thirteen who were able to follow up, six were combined with bromocriptine therapy and three were combined with bromocriptine and radiation therapy. Of the two who were managed with only bromocriptine, one was improved after bromocriptine for four months and the other was received penile prosthesis due to no improvement of symptoms. It is emphasized that pituitary tumor should be considered in the investigation of impotence of endocrine causes when markedhyperprolactinemia (specially greater than 100 ng/ml) is noted.
Bromocriptine ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Hypogonadism ; Libido ; Male ; Penile Prosthesis ; Pituitary Neoplasms* ; Prolactin

For the purpose of promotion of mental health in the rural elderly, the author surveyed 558 elderlies aged 60 years or more, and assessed the prevalence rates of depression and cognitive impairment by using self-rating depression scale of Zung(SDS) and the Korean version of mini-mental state examination(MMSEK). Also the association between depression or cognitive function and socio-environmental factors were investigated. The major findings were as follows; 1. The prevalence rates of severe depression and cognitive impairment were 20.9% and 14.9% in all the elderly of both sexes, respectively. 2. The rates of depression and cognitive impairment increased with increasing age in both sex groups. The mean scores of SDS increased and the mean scores of MMSEK decreased significantly among them(P<0.01). 3. Those being female, widows or widowers, and those having low levels of physical activity, showed significantly high the mean scores of depression and had significantly low the mean scores of cognitive impairment(P<0.01). 4. The depression scores relating to decreased libido, confusion, psychomotor retardation, hopelessness and indecisiveness were relatively high in both sexes. 5. All the items of mini-mental state examination were significantly correlated with depression. 6. In stepwise multiple regression analysis on depression, MMSEK, level of physical activity, chronic disease, marital status and family income were selected as highly correlated variables, and the R2-value for these variables was 33.7%. 7. In stepwise multiple regression analysis on cognitive function, level of physical activity, age, depression, sex and marital status were selected as highly correlated variables, and the R2-value for these variables was 62.6%. The depression and cognitive impairment of the elderly were positively correlated with nearly all sociodemographic variables.
Aged* ; Chronic Disease ; Depression* ; Female ; Humans ; Libido ; Marital Status ; Mental Health ; Motor Activity ; Prevalence ; Widowhood

OBJECT: Risperidone, unlike other atypical antipsychotics, is thought to elevate prolactin levels. This paper examines the relationship of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia and the sexual dysfunctions of the patients in the real clinical practice. METHODS: Forty nine patients (male 22, female 27) with 6 month-over risperidone medication were assigned and serum prolactin was assayed in serum by radioimmunometric assay. In the distinction of sex, six adverse events possibly associated with increased prolactin levels were determined by interviewing the patients (poor erection, ejaculatory dysfunction, galactorrhea, decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction and obesity in male;amenorrhea, vaginal dryness, galactorrhea, decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction and obesity in female). RESULTS: In 49 patients, thirty six patients (male 15;56%, female 21;95%) showed hyperprolactinemia and twenty two patients (male 13;48%, female 8;36%) had sexual side-effects. Both risperidone dosage per day and duration were not correlated with prolactin levels and adverse events. There was no significant direct correlation between serum prolactin levels and sexual adverse events. CONCLUSION: The risperidone-associated increase in serum prolactin levels was not significantly directly correlated with the emergence of possible prolactin-related adverse events in the real clinical practice. However, our results suggest that risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia may play a role in sexual dysfunction of female patients.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Female ; Galactorrhea ; Humans ; Hyperprolactinemia* ; Libido ; Obesity ; Orgasm ; Pregnancy ; Prolactin ; Risperidone