title: Vardenafil improves erectile function in men with erectile dysfunction irrespective of disease severity and disease classification.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vardenafil (Levitra) is a potent and selective phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used in the management of erectile dysfunction (ED). This retrospective subgroup analysis assessed the effectiveness of vardenafil treatment in men with ED of different baseline severity and disease classification.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from two pivotal, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials enrolling men from the general ED population who received placebo or vardenafil 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg during a 12-week treatment period were retrospectively analysed, stratifying by psychogenic, organic, and mixed ED disease classification as determined by the investigator. Efficacy endpoints included the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-Erectile Function (EF) domain score, per-patient diary response rates to questions on penile insertion [Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP-2)] and maintenance of erection (SEP-3) and rates of positive response to the Global Assessment Question (GAQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 1,385 men who received at least one dose of study medication and had pre- and post-baseline measures of efficacy available (intent-to-treat population) are presented. At baseline 37-41% of patients had severe ED, 30-34% moderate, 22% mild-to-moderate and 6-8% mild ED. At baseline, 46-51% of patients were considered to have an organic cause for ED, 13-16% psychogenic ED, and 36-38% mixed classification of ED. For all classifications and for mild-to-moderate to severe ED, men treated with 10 or 20 mg of vardenafil showed statistically and clinically significant improvements (P < 0.001) in IIEF-EF scores, diary response rates to the SEP-2 and SEP-3 questions, and GAQ as compared with those given placebo. The greatest improvements relative to placebo were noted in patients with more severe ED. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were headache, flushing, rhinitis, dyspepsia, and were dose-related, mostly mild to moderate in intensity and consistent with the class.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vardenafil improves EF in men with ED irrespective of investigator-determined classification and baseline ED severity.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. donat001@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Donatucci
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Eardley
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buvat
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gittelman
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kell
authors.forename: Thom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Segerson
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Homering
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montorsi
mesh_terms: D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013450:Sulfones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014227:Triazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D013450:Sulfones; D014227:Triazines; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; C517381:PDE5A protein, human