Long-term efficacy and safety of self-intracavernous injection of prostaglandin E1 for treatment of erectile dysfunction in China

Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy for diabetic men with erectile dysfunction: A systematic scoping review

BACKGROUND

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very common complication in men with diabetes mellitus (DM). Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) offers a promising nonsurgical treatment option for ED. A systematic scoping review investigating the outcomes of Li-ESWT in diabetic men with ED has not yet been performed.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review animal and clinical studies related to the use of Li-ESWT for treatment of DM-related ED.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched, unrestricted by dates or study design.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included qualitative studies, quantitative studies, primary research studies, meta-analyses, and research letters written in English. Full text reviewing was completed in all animal and human studies discussing Li-ESWT for the treatment of ED in subjects with DM. Data extracted included the journal citation, publication year, country of origin, study design, and a summary of the pertinent findings.

RESULTS

Our search yielded nine clinical studies and 10 animal studies. The results of the clinical studies suggest that Li-ESWT is a safe and effective treatment in men with well-controlled DM and moderate or better ED. However, the benefit is less durable in diabetic men than nondiabetic men. The results of the animal studies suggest that Li-ESWT can significantly improve erectile function in diabetic rat models with ED.

CONCLUSIONS

The examined studies present encouraging results for the use of Li-ESWT to treat diabetic men with ED. Future studies, particularly robust randomized controlled trials, are necessary to confirm these findings and provide long-term follow-up.

Complication Rates in Patients Using Intracavernosal Injection Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction With or Without Concurrent Anticoagulant Use-A Single-Center, Retrospective Pilot Study

Background

Intracavernosal injection therapy (ICI) is an effective intervention used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It has been proposed that caution should be exercised when prescribing ICI to patients currently taking anticoagulants (AC) due to the theoretical increased risk of bleeding, however, there is limited literature describing complication rates of actively anticoagulated patients utilizing ICI.

Aim

We sought to determine whether there was a difference in bleeding and other complications in a cohort of patients using ICI therapy with or without concurrent AC use.

Methods

We reviewed our institutional electronic health record and identified 168 patients who were seen in our clinic from January to August 2020 who had either currently or previously utilized ICI therapy for ED treatment. These patients were surveyed regarding their ICI therapy as well as given the erectile dysfunction inventory for treatment satisfaction questionnaire. Data from 85 patients was obtained; 43 concurrently using AC during ICI therapy and 42 with no AC use. Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and a 2-tailed t-test were used with P < .05 considered to be significant.

Outcome

Documented bleeding events (eg, bruising, hematoma), complications, and mean erectile dysfunction inventory for treatment satisfaction scores were compared between the 2 groups.

Results

There were more absolute bleeding complications in the AC group vs the no AC group, with 3 of 43 AC patients (7%, 95% confidence interval: 2.4–18.6) and 0/42 no AC patients (0%, 95% confidence interval: 0–8.4) experiencing some type of bleeding complication on ICI. However, there was no statistically significant difference found in overall or stratified documented bleeding events and complications between the 2 groups.

Clinical Implications

Patients with concurrent AC usage on ICI therapy reported a higher rate of absolute bleeding complications than our non-AC group.

Strengths and Limitations

The strength of this study is addressing question of safety of ICI therapy in patients with concurrent AC usage. Limitations include single-center retrospective study design and underpowered sample size limiting confidence with which conclusions from data should guide future patient counseling regarding ICI risks.

Conclusion

Findings from a single-center cohort of patients suggest that ICI therapy may be a safe and effective treatment modality for ED in patients with concurrent anticoagulant usage, however, given the higher rate of absolute bleeding events in our AC cohort, future assessment in a higher-powered study is warranted in determining a more accurate estimation of risk or propensity for bleeding complications in patients on AC using ICI therapy.

Blum KA, Mehr JP, Green T, et al. Complication Rates in Patients Using Intracavernosal Injection Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction With or Without Concurrent Anticoagulant Use—A Single-Center, Retrospective Pilot Study. Sex Med 2022;10:100535.

Pharmacology and perspectives in erectile dysfunction in man

Penile erection is a perfect example of microcirculation modulated by psychological factors and hormonal status. It is the result of a complex neurovascular process that involves the integrative synchronized action of vascular endothelium; smooth muscle; and psychological, neuronal, and hormonal systems. Therefore, the fine coordination of these events is essential to maintain penile flaccidity or allow erection; an alteration of these events leads to erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is defined as the consistent or recurrent inability of a man to attain and/or maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual activity. A great boost to this research field was given by commercialization of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Indeed, following the discovery of sildenafil, research on the mechanisms underlying penile erection has had an enormous boost, and many preclinical and clinical papers have been published in the last 10 years. This review is structured to provide an overview of the mediators and peripheral mechanism(s) involved in penile function in men, the drugs used in therapy, and the future prospective in the management of ED. Indeed, 30% of patients affected by ED are classified as "nonresponders," and there is still an unmet need for therapeutic alternatives. A flowchart suggesting the guidelines for ED evaluation and the ED pharmacological treatment is also provided.

Satisfaction and treatment adherence in erectile dysfunction in the medium and long term

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to show the satisfaction and treatment adherence in erectile dysfunction (ED) in the medium and long term.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A descriptive, comparative study was conducted in 2 centres through telephone interviews with patients who came for an initial visit between 2012 and 2014 for ED. A complete case history review was conducted on the use of and withdrawal from treatment. For current use, the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) and the Global Assessment Questionnaire (GAQ) were filled out; for past use, only the GAQ was filled out. For the statistical analysis, we employed Fisher's exact test for comparisons of percentages and the Kruskal-Wallis test to compare means.

RESULTS

The study included 250 patients; 20.8% were prescribed intraurethral alprostadil (ALP-IU), 17.2% were prescribed intracavernous alprostadil (ALP-IC), 92.8% were prescribed a first IPD5, and 24.8% were prescribed at least a second IPD5. The treatment withdrawal rate was 62.07% for the first IPD5, 41.94% for the last IPD5, 69.23% for the ALP-IU and 65.11% for the ALP-IC (P=.007). The main reason for withdrawal for the IPD5 was a lack of response (32.76% of those who took IPD5). In addition to withdrawal, there were adverse reactions for ALP-IU and ALP-IC (28.85% and 11.63%, respectively). The mean duration of use until withdrawal was 4.3 months for IPD5, 2.2 months for ALP-IU and 5.5 months for ALP-IC (P=.064). The most favourable GAQ and EDITS scores were observed for IPD5 (EDITS score of 74). Sildenafil and tadalafil had the longest usage times (mean >5 months).

CONCLUSIONS

The withdrawal rate for treating ED is high, with short usage times of a few months. A lack of response and adverse reactions were the main causes for withdrawal. The drugs that provide greater satisfaction are the IPD5, although there are no significant differences in the mean usage time between the different types and in aspects such as the mean usage time to withdrawal or the withdrawal rates.