Search

Background Clinical study and practice data have shown sildenafil improves sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction (ED). However, some men treated with placebo in double-blind, placebo-controlled sildenafil studies also report improved erectile function as measured by International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)–Erectile Function Domain (EFD) scores. Aim This analysis estimated the relationship between post-baseline IIEF-EFD scores and demographic variables, including co-morbidities, in men with ED receiving placebo in flexible-dose sildenafil studies. Methods Placebo-treated participants in the intent-to-treat population of 42 double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose, sildenafil studies were included. A participant was classified as a placebo responder if the IIEF-EFD score was ≥26 at the last visit. Outcomes Variables assessed were age ( Results A total of 4,360 men were included; 13.5% were responders. Odds estimates indicated the largest likelihood of placebo response occurred in men who were black (odds = 20.2, P < .0001), were younger than 45 years (odds = 7.3, P < .0001), had mild ED (baseline IIEF-EFD ≥17; odds >100, P < .0001), and did not have diabetes (odds = 4.5, P < .0001). The likelihood of a placebo response decreased as ED duration increased (odds = 0.74, P < .0001). The frequency of common adverse events was similar between placebo responders and non-responders. Clinical Translation These findings contribute to the improved understanding of predictors of placebo response in sildenafil clinical studies. Elucidation of these factors may contribute to the development of further interventions and treatment strategies and best practices for clinical trials. Strengths and conclusions Strengths of this analysis include the large and diverse population and the duration of follow-up. Limitations include those associated with retrospective analyses and the inability to ascertain to what extent other demographic factors might have contributed to the placebo responses or how these placebo responses might be related to the natural course of ED. Conclusions Certain demographics, co-morbidities, and condition characteristics predicted the odds of a placebo response in sildenafil clinical studies of ED. Underlying reasons behind a placebo response warrant further evaluation.

Background Patient-reported outcomes, such as the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) index, are essential for successful evaluation and treatment of patients with erectile dysfunction. Aim To enrich interpretation of the EDITS index score and to complement the existing 0 to 100 scoring. Methods This supplemental analysis evaluated EDITS questionnaire data (11 items; index score range = 0–100; higher scores indicate more treatment satisfaction) after completion of an 8-week double-blinded trial of 279 men 18 to 65 years old with erectile dysfunction randomized to sildenafil 100 mg, sildenafil 50 mg, or placebo. Response options for each EDITS item were grouped into “success” (the 2 most satisfied or favorable responses) and “no success” (the remaining 3 responses). The binary response (success or no success) for each item was expressed as a function of overall EDITS score in a simple logistic regression model with all treatments combined. Outcomes Odds ratios and success probabilities (using Wald χ2 tests) were calculated for specified point differences and total EDITS index scores, respectively. Results EDITS index score increases corresponded with significant increases in odds of success in different EDITS aspects (P < .0001 for all comparisons). For instance, a 10-point EDITS index score difference was associated with odds ratios of 11.3, 42.0, 17.7, and 6.8 for overall treatment satisfaction, treatment meeting expectations, satisfaction with treatment quickness, and satisfaction with how long treatment lasts, respectively. For a given EDITS index score, likelihood of success was determined for different aspects of treatment satisfaction. For example, a mean EDITS index score of 78 (sildenafil 100 mg; SD = 18) corresponded to 96%, 88%, 94%, and 88% chances of success for the 4 EDITS items referenced earlier, respectively. Corresponding probabilities for a mean EDITS index score of 50 (placebo; SD = 18) were 3%, less than 0.1%, 1%, and 4%, respectively. Clinical Implications Interpretation of the EDITS index score can be augmented using key aspects of treatment satisfaction as reported by the patient. Strengths and Limitations This analysis used a well-established anchor-based approach to interpret EDITS index scores. The methodology used and corresponding results are appropriate for clinical practice and clinical trial settings. Limitations include data evaluation only for the Patient EDITS and not the complementary Partner EDITS and use of data from a clinical trial enrolling a well-defined patient population only in stable relationships. Conclusion These results enable a meaningful interpretation of EDITS index scores, facilitating decision making by stakeholders for better-informed health care choices.

Introduction This report describes a post hoc analysis of data from a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose, sildenafil trial in men with erectile dysfunction. Aims To simplify interpretation of erectile function (EF) domain scores of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Methods Men at least 18 years old with erectile dysfunction were randomized to receive sildenafil or placebo for 12 weeks. Men taking nitrates or nitric oxide donors were excluded. Responses for each IIEF EF domain question (questions 1–5 and 15) were combined into two broad categories (“success” for responses of the two most favorable categories of a question and “no success” for other responses). Each question was expressed in a logistic regression model (sildenafil and placebo groups combined) as a function of overall EF domain score. Main Outcome Measures IIEF EF domain score and items. Results A four-point increase in the IIEF EF domain score was associated with an odds ratio of success of 6.1 for getting an erection, 29.2 for having a firm erection, 10.0 for able to penetrate,12.8 for maintaining erection, 4.0 for maintaining erection to completion, and 3.7 for erection confidence. An EF domain score of 22 was associated with a probability of success of 81% for getting an erection, 86% for having a firm erection, 89% for able to penetrate, 67% for maintaining an erection, 70% for maintaining an erection to completion, and 32% for erection confidence. For an EF domain score of 16, the corresponding probabilities of success were 22%, 4%, 20%, 4%, 22%, and 6%, respectively. Conclusion These results provide stakeholders with a simplified and meaningful interpretation of IIEF EF domain scores based on six key aspects of EF.

Introduction Sildenafil citrate 50 mg is the recommended starting dose for men with erectile dysfunction (ED); however, most men are later titrated to sildenafil 100 mg for improved efficacy. Aim Assess the tolerability and efficacy of sildenafil initiated at the 100-mg dose in men with ED. Methods Men with ED (score Main outcome measures Efficacy, tolerability, treatment satisfaction, and other end points were measured at baseline and/or the end of the double-blind and open-label phases and compared between placebo and sildenafil initiated at doses of 50 and 100 mg. Results Improvements in DBPC patient-reported outcomes from baseline were statistically significant for both sildenafil 50 and 100 mg compared with placebo. At the end of DBPC treatment, 56% of men on the 100-mg dose felt no anxiety about the next intercourse attempt compared with 39% in the 50-mg group (odds ratio 2.03; P = 0.0197). Changes in functional scores from baseline were not statistically significant with the 100-mg dose compared with the 50-mg dose in the DBPC. Measures of treatment satisfaction and sexual experience significantly favored the 100-mg dose compared with the 50-mg dose in the DBPC. There was no increase in adverse events with the higher dose. Conclusions Sildenafil at 50 mg or 100 mg significantly improved erection quality, treatment satisfaction, anxiety levels, and the sexual experience compared with placebo during DBPC. Sildenafil 100 mg improved the sexual experience and treatment satisfaction, and reduced feelings of anxiety compared with the 50-mg dose.

Introduction The validated Quality of Erection Questionnaire (QEQ) evaluates satisfaction with erection quality. Aim To collate QEQ data, including correlations between QEQ outcomes and outcomes assessing emotional well-being, treatment satisfaction, and erection hardness after sildenafil citrate treatment. Methods In four trials, men older than 18 years and with erectile dysfunction, a stable sexual partner, and no recent phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use were randomized to double-blind flexible-dose sildenafil or placebo (1:1 ratio) for 6 or 10 weeks (two trials), fixed-dose 50 mg, 100 mg, and placebo (1:1:1 ratio) for 8 weeks (one trial), and 50 mg and 100 mg (1:1 ratio) for 4 weeks after 4 weeks of single-blind sildenafil 50 mg. Exclusion criteria included recent significant cardiovascular disease, use of nitrates, nitric oxide donors, cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors, or other erectile dysfunction treatment, and sildenafil hypersensitivity or previous severe or serious treatment-related adverse event. Main Outcomes Measures Scores on the QEQ, QEQ Question 5 (satisfaction with erection hardness), the Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire, and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction; the percentage of occasions with Erection Hardness Score 3 (EHS 3, hard enough for penetration but not completely hard) and/or EHS 4 (completely hard and fully rigid); and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results 1,296 men (18–80 years) were randomized. Except for the percentage of occasions with EHS 3, all outcomes improved in men treated with sildenafil and correlated positively with the change in QEQ scores in all trials. Conclusions Satisfaction with the quality of erections, which is easily monitored with the QEQ, correlated positively with measures of emotional well-being and treatment satisfaction and with the change in percentage of erections that were completely hard and fully rigid, but not with the change in percentage of erections that were hard enough for penetration but not completely hard. Kaminetsky JC, Depko AJ, Stroberg P, Buvat J, Tseng L-J, and Stecher VJ. In men with erectile dysfunction, satisfaction with quality of erections correlates with erection hardness, treatment satisfaction, and emotional well-being. J Sex Med 2009;6:800–808.

Introduction Psychosocial manifestations of erectile dysfunction (ED) differ across cultures. Understanding the treatment response to ED medications within cultural groups can aid in resource allocation and in developing treatment strategies. Aim Evaluate the effect of sildenafil treatment on self-esteem, confidence, and sexual relationship satisfaction in Brazilian men with ED. Main Outcome Measure The Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, a validated, 14-question instrument developed to specifically address self-esteem and relationship issues within the context of ED. Methods Men aged 18 years or older with a clinical diagnosis of ED (≤21 on the Sexual Health Inventory for Men) and in a stable relationship with a partner during the study were eligible. The primary end point was a change from baseline in the self-esteem subscale of the SEAR questionnaire. Thirteen Brazilian sites participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of sildenafil treatment for ED. Patients were randomized to receive either 50 mg of sildenafil (adjustable to 25 mg or 100 mg based on patient response) or matching placebo approximately 1 hour before anticipated sexual activity but not more than once a day. Results At the end of double-blind treatment, 63 and 66 patients in the placebo and sildenafil groups, respectively, from 13 Brazilian sites were assessed for efficacy. Brazilian patients receiving sildenafil had significantly greater improvements in their scores on the SEAR self-esteem subscale (42.9 [95% confidence interval 35.7–50.0]) compared with placebo (21.1 [95% confidence interval 13.7–28.6]; P Conclusions The psychosocial parameters in Brazilian men with ED assessed by the SEAR questionnaire showed significant improvements in self-esteem, confidence, and relationships after treatment with sildenafil. Glina S, Damiao R, Abdo C, Afif-Abdo J, Tseng L-J, and Stecher V. Self-esteem, confidence, and relationships in Brazilian men with erectile dysfunction receiving sildenafil citrate: A randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Brazil.

The Sexual Experience Questionnaire (SEX-Q) enables quick and easy assessment of functional, emotional, and satisfaction-related aspects of the sexual experience in men with erectile dysfunction (ED).To assess correlations between improvement on the SEX-Q and outcomes on other validated questionnaires. METHODS. Men with ED (scoreor =25 on the Erectile Function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF]) who had used less than or equal to six doses of any phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (none within 6 months) were randomized to 10 weeks of double-blind, placebo-controlled (DBPC) flexible-dose sildenafil citrate (50 or 100 mg, as needed), followed by 6 weeks of open-label (OL) sildenafil.SEX-Q, IIEF, Quality of Erection Questionnaire (QEQ), Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) Questionnaire, Erection Hardness Score (EHS), successful intercourse attempts (SIAs), Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS), and global efficacy questions (GEQs).Compared with the placebo group (N = 105), the sildenafil group (N = 104) at DBPC end of treatment (EOT) had significantly more improvement (P0.05) on all SEX-Q, IIEF (except the Sexual Desire domain), QEQ, and SEAR outcomes, more frequent SIAs and EHS 3 (hard enough for penetration but not completely hard) or EHS 4 (completely hard) erections (odds ratio [OR], 2.52 and 3.46, respectively), EHS 4 erections four times as often (OR, 6.41), more men satisfied with treatment (EDITS; OR, 2.6), approximately twice as many men with improved erections (GEQ1; OR, 5.8) and ability to have sexual intercourse (GEQ2; OR, 5.4), and GEQ3 scores that indicated better sex (P0.0001). SEX-Q score improvements correlated positively with all other outcomes. At OL EOT, most outcomes were60% (and approximately half wereor =80%) of the maximum positive result.SEX-Q change scores correlate with several other functional, emotional, and satisfaction-related outcomes in men treated with sildenafil for ED, allowing a simple and focused evaluation of the sexual experience.