Sildenafil citrate improves self-esteem, confidence, and relationships in men with erectile dysfunction: Results from an international, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can significantly impact a man's relationships and well-being.


OBJECTIVE
We assessed changes in self-esteem, confidence, sexual relationship satisfaction, and overall relationship satisfaction in men with ED using the validated Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire (SEAR).


METHODS
This was a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose (25, 50, 100 mg, as needed) international study of sildenafil in men > or =18 years of age in Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and Japan.


METHODS
The primary study outcome was change in self-esteem from baseline to the end of treatment. Secondary study measures were changes in other SEAR components, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) domains, percentage of intercourse attempts that were successful, and the response to a global efficacy question at the end of treatment.


RESULTS
Patients were well balanced for age and duration of ED (placebo = 149 and sildenafil = 151). Compared with placebo, sildenafil significantly improved self-esteem, confidence, sexual relationship satisfaction, and overall relationship satisfaction (P < 0.0001). The psychosocial measures of well-being assessed with the SEAR were positively correlated (range 0.60-0.86, P < 0.0001) with erectile function, the frequency of achieving erections that allowed satisfactory sexual intercourse, the percentage of successful sexual intercourse attempts, and global treatment efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant improvements in self-esteem, confidence, sexual relationship satisfaction, and overall relationship satisfaction after treatment of ED with sildenafil were consistent among countries. These data suggest a substantial cross-cultural improvement in well-being after successful treatment of ED with sildenafil.
Althof
Stanley E
SE
Case Western Reserve University Medical School, West Palm Beach, FL33401, USA. sxa6@po.cwru.edu
O'leary
Michael P
MP
Cappelleri
Joseph C
JC
Hvidsten
Kyle
K
Stecher
Vera J
VJ
Glina
Sidney
S
King
Rosie
R
Siegel
Richard L
RL