title: Effect of sildenafil on erectile dysfunction and improvement in the quality of sexual life in China: a multi-center study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common medical condition in middle-aged and elderly men; however, large-scale and multi-center epidemiologic studies about the treatment effects on ED in China are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the efficacy and safety of a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5-i) in the treatment of men with ED in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients clinically diagnosed with ED from 53 andrology centers in 15 metropolitan areas in China who were willing to undergo treatment for ED were enrolled in the study. Each participant received 4 weeks of unique PDE5-i treatment, and completed the following forms (International Index of Erectile Function score 5 [IIEF-5], the Erection Hardness Score [EHS], Self-Esteem and Relationship [SEAR], and SF-36 of Health Related Quality of Life). Pre-and post-treatment data were compared using descriptive analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1956 ED patients were included in this study; 1922 patients provided valid questionnaires for analysis. Four weeks of sildenafil treatment was considered effective and safe. Specifically, the IIEF-5 sores (11.30 ± 3.7 vs. 20.02 ± 5.1, P < 0.05), EHS levels (99.1% patients increases to level 3 or 4), and the SEAR scores (32.5 vs. 55.1, P < 0.05) were significantly improved compared to baseline. Sildenafil therapy also significantly improved the satisfaction, enjoyment, and frequency of sexual attempts and sexual activity, as well as physical vigor and mental health scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides direct evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of sildenafil therapy in a large sample of Chinese men with ED, thus verifying that sildenafil improved the symptoms and quality of sexual life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wen-Hao
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xin-Jie
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Lu-Lin
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Lian-Ming
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: De-Feng
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jia-Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hong-Liang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
keywords: China; Erectile dysfunction; sexual quality; sildenafil