Treatment satisfaction with sildenafil in a Canadian real-life setting. A 6-month prospective observational study of primary care practices.
BACKGROUND
While the efficacy of sildenafil for the management of erectile dysfunction (ED) has been demonstrated in randomized clinical trials, few data exist on its effectiveness in a real-life setting.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the treatment satisfaction and effectiveness with sildenafil in a real-life setting in Canada.


METHODS
A multicenter, prospective study, using an educational program aimed at optimizing sildenafil treatment, was conducted at 231 primary care sites across Canada. Patients who received their first prescription of sildenafil for ED within the usual practice of medicine were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected through patient self-administered questionnaires.


METHODS
The Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire was used to determine the erectile function at baseline, month 3 and month 6. Treatment satisfaction at months 3 and 6 was assessed using the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire.


RESULTS
The intent-to-treat population consisted of 2,573 patients. The mean age was 55 years (18 to 92 years). At baseline, the mean SHIM score was 11.9 with 21.7% of men having severe ED, 22.9% moderate ED, 36.5% mild-to-moderate ED, and 16.9% mild ED. At month 3, the mean SHIM score improved significantly to 18.0 (P < 0.0001) and 33.3% of patients had a SHIM score above 21 (no ED). At 6 months, the mean SHIM score was 18.7. At both months 3 and 6, approximately 89% of patients were satisfied with their treatment (i.e., EDITS score >or= 50), suggesting no attenuation of the satisfaction over the 6 months of use.


CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness of sildenafil in the management of ED was demonstrated in a large cohort of men treated in a primary care setting in this Canadian real-life study. Persistence with therapy and lack of attenuation over time among the vast majority of men was shown.
Carrier
Serge
S
McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada.
Brock
Gerald
G
Casey
Richard
R
Tarride
Jean-Eric
JE
Elliott
Stacey
S
Dugré
Hélène
H
Rousseau
Catherine
C
D'Angelo
Pina
P
Defoy
Isabelle
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054526:Men's Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011687:Purines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate