title: Impact of erectile dysfunction on confidence, self-esteem and relationship satisfaction after 9 months of sildenafil citrate treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The first double-blind, placebo controlled trial in the United States of the Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire revealed that treatment with sildenafil citrate improves erectile function and measures of quality of life in men with erectile dysfunction. We investigated long-term improvement, and correlations between improved erectile function and confidence, self-esteem and sexual relationship satisfaction in men with erectile dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a 36-week open label extension of the double-blind, placebo controlled trial. The blind was not broken. Patients were 18 years or older with clinically diagnosed erectile dysfunction. Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function. Self-esteem, confidence and relationship satisfaction were assessed using the Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire. Correlations were determined using Pearson's product moment coefficients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 204 participants were enrolled in the open label extension, including 108 on placebo and 96 on sildenafil. In men who received placebo in the double-blind, placebo controlled phase mean erectile function scores and self-esteem, confidence and relationship satisfaction scores were increased significantly at week 36 of the open label extension (p < 0.0001). Men who received sildenafil in the double-blind, placebo controlled phase maintained high scores in the open label extension. Correlations between improved erectile function, and self-esteem, confidence and relationship satisfaction were strong and positive (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Open label extension sildenafil after double-blind, placebo controlled placebo significantly improved erectile function, self-esteem, confidence and relationship satisfaction. Following an initial 12 weeks of double-blind, placebo controlled sildenafil therapy for erectile dysfunction improvements were sustained an additional 9 months. Positive correlations between erectile function, and self-esteem, confidence and relationship satisfaction suggest that improved erectile quality can improve long-term psychosocial quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Center for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, USA. sxa6@po.cwru.edu
authors.forename: Stanley E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Althof
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: O'Leary
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cappelleri
authors.forename: Arthur R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Crowley
authors.forename: Li-Jung
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines; D012649:Self Concept; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate