title: Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate for treatment of erectile dysfunction in a population with associated organic risk factors.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and associated organic risk factors in a multispecialty clinic. Patients (n = 521) were diagnosed with ED based on self-assessment. Associated risk factors were managed by medication or life-style modifications, or both, before treatment with sildenafil for ED. Patients received a 50-mg dose of sildenafil that could be adjusted to 100 mg or 25 mg based on tolerability and efficacy. Patients recorded the number of successful intercourse encounters for 6 to 8 weeks, and the number of adverse events. Overall, there was an 82% successful intercourse rate with sildenafil treatment. The predominant associated risk factors for ED were hypertension (39%), hypogonadism (37%), and multiple medications (34%). Common adverse events due to sildenafil treatment were mild to moderate in nature and resulted in <2% patient discontinuation. Clinicians should be particularly careful to evaluate patients presenting with ED because the condition can be accompanied by a wide spectrum of risk factors requiring monitoring and treatment. However, with adequate treatment and control of these risk factors, the use of sildenafil in a representative population of men with ED in a multispecialty clinic can achieve a higher efficacy rate than previous studies have indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Lahey Clinic, Peabody, Massachusetts 01960, USA. andre.t.guay@lahey.org
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Guay
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines; D012307:Risk Factors; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D013739:Testosterone; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate