Adjunctive treatment with lodenafil carbonate for erectile dysfunction in outpatients with schizophrenia and spectrum: a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial.
INTRODUCTION.: Evidence is accumulating to support the presence of erectile dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia. This dysregulation may be amenable to therapeutic intervention to improve adherence and quality of life of patients who suffer from schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. AIM.: We aimed to evaluate the use of adjunctive medication lodenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in outpatients with schizophrenia and spectrum. METHODS.: The design was a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial with lodenafil and it was carried at the Schizophrenia Outpatients Program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES.: The measures used to assess sexual dysfunction were Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Quality of Life Scale (QLS) were also used. The measures included the levels of prolactin, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, sex hormone-binding globulin, free testosterone, and total testosterone at baseline and end point. Lodenafil and placebo pills were used by the patients for 16 weeks. RESULTS.: Fifty male outpatients fulfilled the criteria and 94% of the participants completed the study. Lodenafil and placebo produced improvement in ASEX, IIEF scale, PANSS, and QLS, and there was no statistical difference between lodenafil and placebo groups in all sexual domains in the results of PANSS and QLS and in the results of hormone levels. CONCLUSION.: These results indicate that both lodenafil and placebo were effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction for schizophrenia. Placebo effect is very important in patients with schizophrenia and this study showed the importance of discussing sexuality and trying to treat these patients. Further studies designed to test treatments of erectile dysfunction in patients who suffer from schizophrenia are necessary.
Departamento de Clínica Médica, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. lununes79@hotmail.com
Luciana Vargas Alves
LV
Nunes
Fernando Sargo
FS
Lacaz
Rodrigo Affonseca
RA
Bressan
Sandra Odebrecht Vargas Alves
SO
Nunes
Jair de Jesus
Jde J
Mari
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002254:Carbonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D002254:Carbonates; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; C532120:lodenafil carbonate; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone