Long-term follow-up of patients with erectile dysfunction commenced on self injection with intracavernosal papaverine with or without phentolamine

Long-term satisfaction and predictors of use of intracorporeal injections for post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction

PURPOSE

Intracorporeal injections have low use rates and high discontinuation rates. We examined factors associated with intracorporeal injection use, long-term satisfaction with intracorporeal injection and reasons for discontinuation in men treated with radical prostatectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between October 2000 and September 2003, 731 men who underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy were enrolled in a prospective outcomes study. The 8-year followup evaluation included the UCLA-PCI, and a survey capturing intracorporeal injection use, satisfaction and reasons for discontinuation. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between intracorporeal injection use and preoperative variables.

RESULTS

The 8-year self-assessment was completed by 368 (50.4%) men. Of these men 140 (38%) indicated prior or current intracorporeal injection use, with only 34 using intracorporeal injection at 8 years. Overall, 44% of the men were satisfied with intracorporeal injections. Reasons for discontinuation included dislike (47%), pain (33%), return of erection (19%), inefficacy (14%) and no partner (6%). Men trying intracorporeal injections had greater preoperative UCLA-PCI sexual function scores (75.2 vs 65.62, p = 0.00005) as well as greater decreases in this score at 3 months (p = 0.0002) and 2 years (p = 0.003). Higher preoperative sexual function scores were independently associated with the use of intracorporeal injections in a model adjusted for age, marital status, nerve sparing status and body mass index (OR 1.021, 95% CI 1.008-1.035).

CONCLUSIONS

Men pursuing intracorporeal injections have better baseline erectile function and experience greater deterioration in erectile function during the early postoperative period. Despite the high efficacy of injections, many men discontinue intracorporeal injections due to dislike or discomfort. Satisfaction rates for intracorporeal injections indicate their long-term role in restoring sexual function in men with post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction.

Research instruments for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with erectile dysfunction

As the incidence and prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) increase, healthcare providers will require robust, accurate, and efficient tools for appropriately diagnosing and treating patients with ED. Moreover, clinicians will need effective follow-up tools that assess treatment efficacy and satisfaction, to help patients meet their expectations for successful treatment of ED. We provide a summary of some of the most commonly used instruments for the diagnosis and assessment of ED treatment efficacy that will be referred to in this supplement.

The use of treatments for erectile dysfunction among survivors of prostate carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The objectives of this survey were to describe the prevalence of using a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) among men after therapy for localized prostate carcinoma and to construct models explaining the variance in trying a treatment, treatment success, and adherence to treatment.

METHODS

A postal survey was sent to 2636 men in The Cleveland Clinic Foundation's Prostate Cancer Registry who were treated initially with either definitive radiotherapy or prostatectomy for localized prostate carcinoma. The survey asked about demographic items, past and current sexual functioning, and the partner's sexual function. Men were asked about their current and intended use of medical treatments for ED. Standardized questionnaires included the Sexual Self-Schema Scale-Male Version, the International Index of Erectile Function, urinary and bowel symptom scales from the Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index), and the Short-Form Health Survey.

RESULTS

The return rate was 49%. Differences between men who returned the questionnaire and men who did not respond suggest that the sample was weighted toward men who were more interested in staying active sexually. ED was a problem for 85% of men, and 59% of this group used at least 1 treatment for ED. Only 38% of men found that a medical treatment was at least somewhat helpful in improving their sex lives, however, and 30% of respondents still were using at least 1 treatment at the time of the survey. Factors that were associated with the efficacy of treatments for ED and with their continued use included having a sexual partner, younger age, choosing a treatment for prostate carcinoma that was more likely to spare some sexual function, and not having had neoadjuvant or current antiandrogen therapy. Men who tried a greater number of treatments for ED were more likely to find one that worked. Men were more likely to continue using treatments for ED that produced greater improvements in sexual function.

CONCLUSIONS

The success of medical treatments for men with ED among long-term survivors of prostate carcinoma is limited. Men prefer noninvasive treatments, although invasive treatments are more effective. Sexual counseling for men and their partners is recommended, because it may increase the use of medical therapies for ED. Creating more realistic expectations in both partners also may enhance treatment adherence.

Combination therapy using oral alpha-blockers and intracavernosal injection in men with erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

Intracavernosal injection with a combination of agents (ie, phentolamine plus papaverine or alprostadil) has been used in an effort to increase efficacy and reduce side effects compared with single agents. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the potential role of oral alpha-blockers in combination with intracavernosal therapy in men with erectile dysfunction, for whom intracavernosal therapy alone failed.

METHODS

Thirty-eight consecutive men with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction on the basis of history and examination and with minimal or no therapeutic response to intracavernosal alprostadil injection therapy were evaluated. All patients received daily doxazosin titrated to 4 mg over 3 weeks in combination with intracavernosal therapy as needed for 12 weeks. Efficacy was assessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after doxazosin titration using the 1 5-item, self-administered International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and a global efficacy question (GEQ: Did treatment improve your erections?).

RESULTS

For the group, the mean baseline IIEF score before therapy was 29.7+/-9.8. After intracavernosal therapy (mean dose 34.7+/-7.3 microg), IIEF improved to 36.1+/-1 1.4 (17.7%). After addition of doxazosin, IIEF improved to 48.6+/-13.4, 46.4+/-10.9, and 51.5+/-14.3 at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively (P < 0.01). The GEQ response improved from 25.7% at baseline to 81.4% at 12 weeks. Overall 22 (57.9%) of 38 patients with the combined regimen had a significant (more than 60% improvement in IIEF) therapeutic response.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of an oral alpha-blocker may have a beneficial effect in patients with erectile dysfunction for whom intracavernosal therapy alone fails. The synergistic effects of vascular dilation and blockade of sympathetic inhibition may explain this response. The potential role of alpha-blockade in synergy with other agents designed to treat erectile dysfunction remains to be determined.

Transurethral alprostadil as therapy for patients who withdrew from or failed prior intracavernous injection therapy

OBJECTIVES

Patients experiencing erectile dysfunction who fail intracavernous injection (ICI) therapy are commonly believed to have exhausted pharmacologic options. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of transurethral alprostadil (MUSE) in patients experiencing erectile dysfunction who underwent prior ICI therapy (alprostadil, papaverine, phentolamine, or a combination of these).

METHODS

Of the 1511 patients enrolled in a multicenter trial of transurethral alprostadil, 452 (30%) reported prior ICI therapy and its effects. These patients tested up to four dose levels of transurethral alprostadil in the clinic, and those who achieved an erection satisfactory for intercourse were treated at home in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

RESULTS

Prior ICI therapy was reported to be "not effective" by 95 of 452 patients (21%), "sometimes effective" by 119 of 452 (26%), and "effective" by 238 of 452 (53%). In patients reporting ICI therapy as "not effective," 58% achieved an erection sufficient for intercourse following transurethral alprostadil therapy in the clinic; 47% of these responsive patients reported successful sexual intercourse after transurethral alprostadil therapy during home treatment. For patients reporting ICI therapy as "sometimes effective" or "effective," 68% achieved an erection sufficient for intercourse following transurethral alprostadil therapy in the clinic setting and 67% of these responsive patients reported successful intercourse following transurethral alprostadil therapy at home. Few adverse effects were encountered. The most common adverse effect was penile pain, which occurred with 7.8% of administrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Transurethral alprostadil therapy is an effective therapeutic option for patients with erectile dysfunction and may even "rescue" some patients who have failed prior intracavernous injection therapy.

Evaluation of a no-needle penile injector: a preliminary study evaluating tissue penetration and its hemodynamic consequences in the rat

OBJECTIVES

Intracavernous needle injection is an effective delivery method for pharmacotherapy of erectile dysfunction. Needle phobia, pain, and concern about local tissue injury have stimulated the search for new, less invasive means of inducing penile erection. In this preliminary communication, we evaluate a jet injector as an alternative to needle injection for intracavernous delivery of vasoactive drugs.

METHODS

Jet injection was evaluated in three groups of rats receiving either India ink, saline, or papaverine into the penis. The ability of the jet injection to penetrate through the tunica albuginea and deliver liquid to the corpora cavernosa smooth muscle was assessed by the degree of staining within the corpus cavernosum (ink group), histologic change (saline group), and rise in intracavernous pressure (papaverine group). Erectile capacity following cavernous nerve electric stimulation was compared before and 1 hour after injection of saline or papaverine.

RESULTS

Ink traversed the skin and tunica albuginea with extensive deposition noted within the cavernous spaces. Varying degree of subcutaneous hemorrhage were seen with saline jet injection; however, the corpus cavernous smooth muscles showed no evidence of injury. Jet injection of papaverine 3250 micrograms significantly increased cavernous pressure (39.4 +/- 4.6 cm H2O) compared with saline injection (2.8 +/- 1.3 cm H2O).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that acute jet injection is an effective method for intracavernous delivery of drugs. Long-term effects should be evaluated prior to clinical use.