Sildenafil versus continuous positive airway pressure for erectile dysfunction in men with obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of sildenafil versus continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).


METHODS
This is a meta-analysis of a randomized controlled trial. The main outcome measures for effectiveness were the percentage of successful intercourse attempts, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) domain scores (erectile function, EF) and the satisfaction levels of the patients and their partners with the treatment for ED.


RESULTS
Two randomized controlled trials totaling 70 patients were included. Meta-analysis results are as follows: after 12 weeks of treatment, patients under sildenafil demonstrated a significant advantage over under CPAP in terms of the percentage of successful intercourse attempts [OR = 3.24, 95% CI (2.37-4.43)], EF scores [WMD = 3.57, 95%CI (1.68-5.45)], and the satisfaction levels of the patients and their partners with the treatment for ED [OR = 3.56, 95% CI (1.27-9.98)].


CONCLUSIONS
Current clinical studies might confirm that both therapeutic methods were safe and effective, but sildenafil was superior to CPAP in the treatment of ED in men with OSA. We conclude that new therapeutic agents or a combination of the two methods should be studied further.
Li
Xiaoming
X
Institute of Urology, Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Gansu, China.
Dong
Zhilong
Z
Wan
Yixin
Y
Wang
Zhiping
Z
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate