Clinical predictive factors of sildenafil response: a penile hemodynamic study

Selecting an Individualized Treatment Approach: The Predictive Value of Erotic Stimulation and Nocturnal Erections for Efficacy of Tadalafil and Cure in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate two modes of Rigiscan for predicting tadalafil response, and to identify which Rigiscan variables are the most efficient at making these predictions.

METHODS

All patients received at least two rounds of nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) testing and/or audiovisual sexual stimulation (AVSS), then completed the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire, followed by oral 5 mg tadalafil daily for 4 weeks. After a 4-week washout period, all respondents underwent an the IIEF-5 questionnaire again. ED patients were then categorized into tadalafil responders and tadalafil non-responders, who were then further divided into cured patients and uncured patients.

RESULTS

When predicting tadalafil responders, the area under the curve (AUC) of NPTR was superior to that of AVSS (0.68~0.84 VS 0.69~0.73), and the predicted optimal cut-off values were DOEE60≥17.75 min in NPTR, compared to other parameters regardless of AVSS or NPTR (P<0.05). When predicting which patients would be cured, the AUC of AVSS was superior to NPTR parameters (0.77~0.81 vs 0.61~0.76), and the determined best diagnostic cut-off values were DOEE≥4.125min in AVSS, compared to other parameters regardless of AVSS or NPTR (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Rigiscan was able to predict the efficacy of daily tadalafil accurately and efficiently. Its diagnostic value was at maximum when DOEE60 ≥17.75 min of NPTR in tadalafil responders and DOEE ≥ 4.125 min of AVSS in cured patients.

Cavernous artery intima-media thickness predicts the response to sildenafil in erectile dysfunction patients as a morphological parameter

While the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the cavernous artery was used for diagnosis for vascular erectile dysfunction (ED) with more accuracy than the peak systolic velocity, the role of the IMT in predicting treatment responses remained unexamined. A total of 136 patients with ED were enrolled. The baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics were collected. Penile Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) was performed on all patients by a blinded sonographer. Sildenafil was administrated to all patients with an adjusted dose of 50 or 100 mg on demand over a period of 3 months. A follow-up was conducted on all patients using the Erectile Hardness Score (EHS) questionnaire along with the visual and tactile version of the standardised EHS tool. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) and IMT were compared between sildenafil responders and sildenafil nonresponders, while receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to calculate the cut-off values and compare the test power respectively. There was no statistical difference from the baseline characteristics. The IMT of cavernous artery was more accurate than PSV to predict the sildenafil response (AUC = 0.809, 0.626 respectively). IMT could predict sildenafil responders more accurately than PSV, and the cut-off value of the IMT of the cavernous artery was less than 0.22 mm.

Adding a vacuum erection device to regular use of Tadalafil improves penile rehabilitation after posterior urethroplasty

This study aimed to evaluate whether adding a vacuum erection device (VED) to regular use of Tadalafil could achieve better penile rehabilitation following posterior urethroplasty for pelvic fracture-related urethral injury (PFUI). Altogether, 78 PFUI patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) after primary posterior urethroplasty were enrolled and divided into two treatment groups: VED combined with Tadalafil (Group 1, n = 36) and Tadalafil only (Group 2, n = 42). Changes in penile length, testosterone level, International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire, Quality of Erection Questionnaire (QEQ), and nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) testing were used to assess erectile function before and after 6 months of ED treatment. Results showed that the addition of VED to regular use of Tadalafil preserved more penile length statistically (0.4 ± 0.9 vs −0.8 ± 0.7 cm, P < 0.01). IIEF-5 score and QEQ score in Group 1 were higher than Group 2 (both P < 0.05). After treatment, 21/36 (58.3%) Group 1 patients and 19/42 (45.2%) Group 2 patients could complete vaginal penetration. Group 1 patients also had markedly improved testosterone levels (P = 0.01). Unexpectedly, there was no significant difference in NPT testing between two therapies. For PFUI patients with ED after posterior urethroplasty, the addition of VED to regular use of Tadalafil could significantly improve their conditions – improving erection and increasing penile length – thus increasing patient satisfaction and confidence in penile rehabilitation.

[Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave treatment improves erectile function in non-responder PDEi5 patients: A systematic review]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness and safety in the short, medium, and long term of LISWT in patients with Erectile Dysfunction who do not respond to PDE5 inhibitors.

METHODOLOGY

Clinical study, quasi-experimental cohort and systematic review following the guidelines of the Cochrane collaboration and the PRISMA writing guides. The measurement of the variables was determined as a primary outcome to the evaluation of erectile function, by means of a validated questionnaire. The baseline scale was evaluated, as well as the difference at 1, 3 and 6 months, evidenced by the possibility of maintaining an erection or responding to therapy with PDEi5. An information search was carried out from its beginning to the current date, in the databases: Medline, Embase, Central, Science Direct and Lilacs.

RESULTS

The studies found used different outcome variables to show efficacy in the follow-up: All the studies used the IIEF-EF as outcome variable in its different variations.

CONCLUSION

LISWT could be an effective and safe treatment in patients not responding to PDEi5. It is important to point out that the evidence is currently limited, randomized studies with greater methodological rigidity and follow-up longer than 12 months are needed in order to verify the medium and long-term effect of the application of shock waves in this group of patients.

Nocturnal penile erections: A retrospective study of the role of RigiScan in predicting the response to sildenafil in erectile dysfunction patients

Sildenafil enhances the nitric oxide–cGMP pathway of erection, which is claimed to have a role in nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR). This study aimed to find whether RigiScan can predict the response to sildenafil among erectile dysfunction (ED) patients and to find which RigiScan parameter produces the best prediction. Medical records of 172 ED patients were revised regarding their full sexual history, standard andrology examination, NPTR monitoring by the RigiScan device, and the degree of response to sildenafil. Of 172 ED patients, 94 patients (54.7%) were sildenafil responders. All RigiScan parameters were higher in the sildenafil responder group. The RigiScan parameters with the most differentiating power between both sildenafil responders and non-responders were base rigidity (AUC 0.860) and then tip rigidity (AUC 0.831). The cut-off value of base and tip rigidity with the highest diagnostic accuracy was 42.5%. This finding was found to be more specific than the sensitivity in predicting a positive response to sildenafil (85.9% vs. 70.2% and 92.3% vs. 59.6%, for base and tip rigidity, respectively). Sildenafil response in ED cases can be predicted through NPTR monitoring using the RigiScan device and ED patients with RigiScan base or tip rigidity less than 42% are not expected to respond well to sildenafil.

Review of Naturopathy of Medical Mushroom, Ophiocordyceps Sinensis, in Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunctions including desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain disorders are increasing worldwide due to etiological factors and aging. Several types of treatment are claimed in modern medicine, but they have serious side effects and higher costs. In fact, alternative approaches, such as the intake of plants, fungi, and insects, or their extracts, have also been practiced to enhance sexuality and ameliorate illness with notable successes. However, the scientific evidence related to the mechanisms and efficacy of these alternative medicines is both scarce and all too often unconvincing. Ophiocordyceps sinensis is an Ascomycetes fungus parasitic to Lepidoptera larvae, and has long been used as medicine to treat many illnesses and promote longevity in Chinese society. Previous investigations have shown that O. sinensis has many pharmacological activities. This review has focused on illustrating that O. sinensis can enhance libido and sexual performance, and can restore impaired reproductive functions, such as impotency or infertility, in both sexes.