Treatment preferences in men with erectile dysfunction: an open label study in Korean men switching from sildenafil citrate to tadalafil.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate patient preferences for sildenafil citrate or tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction [ED]) and assess potential reasons for these preferences.


METHODS
This open-label study was conducted on Korean men taking sildenafil, at least 6 weeks prior to study entry, for ED. Following screening, patients continued sildenafil treatment for 4 weeks, then after a 1-week washout period, switched to tadalafil for 8 weeks. Patients then continued with their treatment of choice during an extension phase. Psychosocial factors (time concern, spontaneity, sexual self-confidence) were evaluated using Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales (PAIRS), while timing of dose to sexual attempt patterns were assessed from patient diaries.


RESULTS
The present study enrolled 160 Korean men (mean age 55 years) with prior median sildenafil use of 585 days. During the extension phase, 73.7% of patients elected to take tadalafil, whereas 26.3% chose sildenafil (P < 0.001). After switching from sildenafil to tadalafil, mean PAIRS time concern scores decreased from 2.54 to 2.42 (P = 0.002), with no statistically significant differences observed between the sildenafil and tadalafil assessment phases in sexual spontaneity and self-confidence scores. Sexual attempts made > 4 h to =/< 36 h post-dose occurred in 4.5% of patients during the sildenafil assessment phase compared with 17.5% during the tadalafil assessment phase.


CONCLUSIONS
After experiencing both sildenafil and tadalafil, the majority of patients exhibited a preference for tadalafil. This preference might be influenced by psychosocial factors, such as decreased time concerns, and a broader window of opportunity available for sexual activity.
Ahn
Tai Young
TY
Asan Medical Centre, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Sung Won
SW
Kim
Sae-Woong
SW
Yang
Dae Yul
DY
Park
Nam Cheol
NC
Min
Kweon-Sik
KS
Park
Kwangsung
K
Paick
Jae-Seung
JS
Dyachkova
Yulia
Y
Dwight
Trisha
T
Lee
Myung-Sea Luke
MS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002243:Carbolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011584:Psychology; D011687:Purines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068581:Tadalafil; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002243:Carbolines; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068581:Tadalafil; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate