title: Efficacy and satisfaction rates of oral PDE5is in the treatment of erectile dysfunction secondary to spinal cord injury: a review of literature.
abstract: METHODS
  Decreased sexual function is a major concern of men with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) through oral pharmacotherapies has been proven to be an effective way to address and treat this concern.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To find  an efficacious and satisfactory treatment ED secondary to SCI through the compilation of studies that utilized the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) when testing phosphodiesterase V inhibitors (PDE5i).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten articles, which used the IIEF to study satisfaction  and/or efficacy of PDE5is sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil in the treatment of ED were reviewed and analyzed. Through the use of a self-made grading scale the value of each article was determined for this research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil all  have been proven to be effective in treating ED in men with SCI. While sildenafil is the most thoroughly studied ED treatment for patients with SCI, tadalafil has a longer time duration effectiveness, which allows for more spontaneity in the sexual experience. Minimal adverse effects have  been noted in patients with SCI using these medications; headache, flushing, and mild hypotension are the most common. In articles that study satisfaction, patients show great improvement over baseline with the use of these medications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there is a need  for further research on the safety in long-term use of tadalafil and vardenafil, comparative studies done on all three medications show no statistically significant difference in effectiveness or satisfaction. New medications and treatment options, such as avanafil, are being studied in hope  of continued improvement of sexual function in men with SCI.
authors.affiliation: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA. nicole.rizio@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rizio
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sorenson
mesh_terms: D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors