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Multiaxial Classification of Male Sexual Dysfunction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Otto Benkert*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse, 6500 Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany
*
Correspondence.

Summary

Sexual dysfunction in male subjects is a multifaceted illness, not appropriately classifiable by any of the current diagnostic systems, in most of which a major disadvantage is their poor inter-rater reliability. This results in over-or underestimation of minor biological (e.g. hormonal) disturbances, which occur in conjunction with the disorder, but are unlikely to be only its pathophysiological correlate. These biological factors can be important in some cases, however, as they indicate therapeutic strategies (e.g. correction of a minor hormonal deficit). The broad acceptance of classificatory systems with multi-axial dimensions has prompted the construction of a new system. In accordance with DSM III this consists of seven equivalent axes and sub-axes, supplemented by five sub-types, from which the diagnostic attribution can be derived.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1985 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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