Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use and hearing impairment.
OBJECTIVE
To compare use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) between participants with and without self-reported hearing impairment using logistic regression, with and without adjustment for potentially confounding sociodemographic, behavioral, and health-related characteristics.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
United States.


METHODS
A population-based sample of 11 525 men 40 years or older (248,217,013 weighted men) in the United States, selected from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2003-2006).


METHODS
Self-reported hearing impairment.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of self-reported hearing impairment and PDE-5i use in each group was 17.9% and 2%, respectively. Men who reported hearing impairment were more likely to have also reported the use of any PDE-5i (odds ratio [OR], 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-3.66). However, this association was limited to sildenafil (Viagra) (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.23-3.43); no significant associations were observed for tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra) (ORs, 1.40 [95% CI, 0.49-4.04] and 0.88 [95% CI, 0.35-2.22], respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Current warnings regarding the risk of hearing loss related to PDE-5i use seems to be justified. However, the cross-sectional nature of the current study provides only limited insight regarding this relationship, and thus additional research is warranted.
McGwin
Gerald
G
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. mcgwin@uab.edu
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors