Clinical evaluation of erectile dysfunction in the era of PDE-5 inhibitors.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common disorder that has gained attention since the introduction of relatively safe treatment with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. ED is a multi-factorial disorder and a common presentation for several systemic illnesses,particularly vascular occlusive diseases. The clinical evaluation of ED should be thorough and systematic, with attention to the appropriate use of sexual symptom questionnaires and symptom scales, detailed medical and sexual history, physical examination,and basic screening laboratory tests. Patients should be referred for specialized evaluations when appropriate. The clinician must be familiar with the pathophysiologic mechanisms of ED, its associations with other systemic diseases, the indications for specialist referrals, and the role of specialized testing to diagnose and treat this disorder effectively.
Lobo
John R
JR
Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Nehra
Ajay
A
D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D012307:Risk Factors
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; C517381:PDE5A protein, human