Comparison between sildenafil-treated subjects with erectile dysfunction and control subjects on the Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can negatively impact psychosocial measures of a patient's sexual life.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate self-esteem, confidence, and relationships in men with ED, before and after treatment with sildenafil citrate (Viagra), with reference to controls without ED.


METHODS
Sildenafil-naïve patients with ED were enrolled in a 10-week, open-label, flexible-dose (25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg) trial of sildenafil. In a separate study, men without ED who did not take sildenafil also completed the Self-Esteem And Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire. In addition to traditional statistical testing, equivalency testing was applied to compare the ED group, before and after treatment, with the control group and to examine whether the ED group improved to normative ranges on the SEAR questionnaire after treatment (within half a standard deviation of the normative or control group mean).


METHODS
Baseline and end-of-treatment responses on psychosocial aspects of ED were measured with the validated SEAR.


RESULTS
Mean SEAR scores between subjects with ED (N = 93, mean age 55.0 years) at baseline and control subjects without ED (N = 94, mean age 52.5 years) were statistically different from zero and not statistically equivalent. Conversely, mean SEAR scores between ED subjects after treatment and control subjects were statistically equivalent and not statistically different from zero.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that sildenafil is associated with normalization of relationships, confidence, and self-esteem in men with ED.
Cappelleri
Joseph C
JC
Pfizer Inc, Global Research & Development, Groton, CT 06340, USA. joseph.c.cappelleri@pfizer.com
Bell
Stephen S
SS
Althof
Stanley E
SE
Siegel
Richard L
RL
Stecher
Vera J
VJ
D000368:Aged; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011687:Purines; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate