Physical activity and PDE5 inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: results of a randomized controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Physical activity (PhA) has proven to be a protective factor for normal erectile function in numerous epidemiological studies.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to establish if PhA could have a therapeutic role in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).


METHODS
This was a randomized, open-label study. A total of 60 patients complaining of ED were studied. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of study treatment. At baseline, patients were randomized to receive phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) alone (group A) or PDE5i plus regular (≥3 hours/week), aerobic, non-agonistic PhA (group B).


METHODS
All subjects completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) questionnaire and performed total testosterone (TT).


RESULTS
Mean PhA was 3.4 hours/week in group B vs. 0.43 in group A; mean energy expenditure in group B was 1,868 kcal/ week or 22.8 metabolic equivalent (MET)/week. IIEF restoration of ED occurred in 77.8% (intervention group) vs. 39.3% (control) (P < 0.004). The IIEF-15 score resulted in statistical improvement in intervention group in all the domains but one (orgasm): erectile function 24.7 vs. 26.8 (P = 0.003); confidence (Q15) 3.53 vs. 4.07 (P = 0.006); sexual desire 6.46 vs. 7.18 (P = 0.028); intercourse satisfaction 9.85 vs. 11.25 (P = 0.001); total satisfaction 7.17 vs. 8.07 (P = 0.009); total score 56.2 vs. 61.07 (P = 0.007). TT was statistically similar in the two groups; separate analysis in each group showed statistical increase in group B 4.24 vs. 4.55 (P = 0.012). At multivariate logistic regression analysis, PhA was the only independent variable for normal erection (P = 0.010) (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.036-0.643), higher sexual satisfaction (P = 0.022) (95% CI 0.084-0.821) and normal total IIEF-15 score (P = 0.023) (95% CI 0.85-0.837).


CONCLUSIONS
In this randomized controlled pilot study, PDE5i plus PhA was more effective than PDE5i alone in the treatment of ED.
Maio
Giuseppe
G
Policlinico Abano Terme, Andrological Unit, Padova, Italy. Electronic address: giusmai@tin.it.
Saraeb
Salim
S
S. Antonio Hospital, Padova, Italy.
Marchiori
Antonio
A
Policlinico Abano Terme, Andrological Unit, Padova, Italy.
D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm / Q000187:drug effects; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology
D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors