title: The Asia-Pacific Flexible Dose Study of Dapoxetine and Patient Satisfaction in Premature Ejaculation Therapy: The PASSION Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dapoxetine is a short-acting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor for treatment of premature ejaculation (PE).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dapoxetine 30 and 60 mg as needed in Asia-Pacific men with PE.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a prospective, 12-week, open-label study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of flexible-dose dapoxetine in men with PE diagnosed by a Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool score of at least 11, a self-estimated intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) no longer than 2 minutes, and an International Index of Erectile Function erectile function domain score of at least 21.
  
  
  METHODS
  Percentage of subjects reporting their PE as at least "slightly better" using the Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC) question.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred eighteen of 285 randomized subjects completed the study. The mean subject age was 45.9 years and 57.7% were Korean. Dosages 1 (30 mg), 2 (30 → 60 mg), and 3 (30 → 60 → 30 mg) were used in 141, 124, and 13 subjects, respectively. At study end, a PE CGIC rating of at least "slightly better" was reported by 77.3%, 92.8%, and 100% of subjects for dosages 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P = .49). At study end, a CGIC rating of "slightly better" was reported by 85.2% and 85.3% of subjects with lifelong PE and acquired PE, respectively (P = .50). At study end, a CGIC rating of "slightly better" was reported by 84.1% and 86.4% of subjects with an estimated baseline IELT no longer than and at least ≤1 minute, respectively (P = .16). The incidence of a CGIC rating of at least "slightly better" was lower in subjects reporting an adverse event of moderate or severe severity and in subjects who increased to and maintained a dapoxetine dose of 60 mg and higher in subjects older than 50 years and in subjects with a baseline estimated IELT of at least 1 minute.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, flexible dosing of dapoxetine (30 and 60 mg) appeared effective in the treatment of PE.
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Sexual Health, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: chrisgmcmahon@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Catholic University, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sae Woong
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Du Geon
authors.initials: du G
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Bumrungrad International Hospital, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Apichat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kongkanand
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Bumrungrad International Hospital, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kavirach
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tantiwongse
keywords: Dapoxetine; PASSION Study; Premature Ejaculation