Five years after the launch of Viagra in Korea: changes in perceptions of erectile dysfunction treatment by physicians, patients, and the patients' spouses.
BACKGROUND
When Viagra was first launched in Korea in 1999, there were high expectations for its efficacy, and strong concerns regarding its safety and potential for misuse.


OBJECTIVE
To research changes in perceptions of erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment 5 years after Viagra was launched.


METHODS
Participants in the study were drawn from six provinces in Korea. They were 120 physicians, 80 patients with ED who had been treated with Viagra, and 40 women who knew that their husbands were being treated with Viagra. The study was conducted using a random face-to-face interview and a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Most physicians responded that since the launch of Viagra, discussions on the topic of sex are more acceptable (92%), and the number of patients seeking medical treatment for ED has increased (92%). They now have a better understanding of ED (98%). They are more confident of treatment (96%), more interested in identifying ED patients (72%), and more comfortable at initiating discussions on ED with patients (80%). Prior to the launch of Viagra, 65% of internal medicine/family medicine doctors did not prescribe any special treatment for ED. However, after Viagra became available, 92% of these doctors prescribed oral medication for ED, thus confirming their position as primary physicians for ED treatment. One of the most distinct changes in perceptions related to Viagra is the higher level of confidence shown by physicians, patients, and patients' spouses in the safety of the drug.


CONCLUSIONS
Five years after the launch of Viagra, the social environment has changed, making discussions of sex more acceptable. A larger number of patients now seek medical treatment for ED, and there is an increased acknowledgment for ED treatment by physicians, patients, and patients' spouses. Moreover, these parties are now more confident about the safety of Viagra.
Kim
Sae-Chul
SC
Department of Urology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. saeckim@unitel.co.kr
Park
Hye Sook
HS
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011687:Purines; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D018454:Spouses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013450:Sulfones; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate