Use of a visual analog scale to assess pain of injection with intracavernous injection therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Fear of pain with intracavernosal injection (ICI) therapy may discourage its use in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).


METHODS
We prospectively analyzed patient self-report of discomfort with ICI therapy for ED utilizing a visual analog scale from 0 to 10.


RESULTS
Patient self-report using a visual analog scale revealed minimal discomfort, with 59 consecutive patients reporting an average pain score of 1.93 +/- 1.76. There was no statistical difference between self-administered or nurse-administered injections. The volume of the injection also had no statistical effect on pain score, and there was no difference observed between those who received alprostadil alone or combination treatment. Patients with diabetes mellitus did have significantly higher pain scores than other patients (3.31 +/- 2.25 vs. 1.62 +/- 1.39, P = 0.009), even when controlling for other factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should be aware of the greater potential for discomfort in ED patients with diabetes. In the majority of ED patients, however, discomfort is minimal, and this information should be helpful in alleviating fear of injection in those who may benefit from this therapy.
Lane
Brian R
BR
Glickman Urological Institute, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Lane
Brian Z
BZ
Ausmundson
Sandra J
SJ
Butler
Robert S
RS
Zippe
Craig D
CD
Jones
J Stephen
JS
Lakin
Milton M
MM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010208:Papaverine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010413:Penis / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D010208:Papaverine; D000527:Alprostadil; D010646:Phentolamine