RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The effect of erectile dysfunction (ED) on sexual planning behaviors and outcomes in men taking phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) is not well studied. AIMS: To assess sexual habits, behaviors, and treatment-related outcomes of PDE5I-treated men with ED. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study recruited men aged 30 to 70 years with mild-to-severe ED from 8 diverse countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Israel, China, and Japan) to complete an approximately 15-minute survey. Differences were evaluated using bivariate analyses, and data were summarized using descriptive statistics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported data were collected for demographics, health characteristics, treatment, sexual habits, ED severity, ED-specific quality of life, and treatment satisfaction. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 1,575 men. Mean frequency of sexual intercourse was 5.7 times/month. Overall, 87.1% of men always, often, or sometimes planned for sexual activity. Of those planning in advance, 32.8% and 40.6% agreed or strongly agreed that they plan for specific days of the week and times of day, respectively. Sexual planning habits were similar for patients taking short-acting vs long-acting PDE5Is. The most commonly cited reasons for planning sexual activity were needing time to take medication (48.4%), needing to make sure medication has taken effect (43.4%), convenient time for sexual activity (34.9%), and needing the partner's agreement (33.4%). Mean Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire total score was 56.4. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in ED burden and sexual planning behavior observed across countries were not influenced by the type of PDE5I being taken, suggesting that cultural differences are an important factor when considering types of ED treatment. These findings provide a better understanding of burden, sexual habits, planning behaviors, quality of life, and treatment-related outcomes among PDE5I-treated men with ED in 8 Western and non-Western countries and may aid healthcare providers in selecting optimal treatments. Goldstein I, Giraldi A, Maculaitis MC, Real-World Assessment of the Impact of Erectile Dysfunction on Sexual Planning Behavior and Health- and Treatment-Related Outcomes Among Men in 8 Countries. J Sex Med 2020;8:338-349.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: While phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) are highly effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and well tolerated, updated data on prescription patterns have been limited in real-world settings. AIM: To describe men in the United States who are prescribed PDE5Is for ED treatment and to evaluate patterns of initiation, switching, and treatment overlap. METHODS: This retrospective claims study used MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplement Databases from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2015, to identify initial PDE5I claims (index date) for sildenafil, tadalafil, and/or vardenafil. Adults aged ≥18 years with ED were identified between July 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014, allowing for a 6-month preindex and 12-month follow-up period from the index date. OUTCOMES: Outcomes included patient demographics and treatment-related patterns after treatment initiation. RESULTS: A total of 106,206 identified patients met all inclusion criteria. Of these, 51,694, 40,193, and 14,319 had initial claims for sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, respectively. Mean age was 50.35 years, and comorbidities included dyslipidemia (44.17%), hypertension (43.09%), diabetes (15.32%), and depression (10.61%). More patients (48.67%) initiated on sildenafil than tadalafil (37.85%) or vardenafil (13.48%). Rate of switching was lower in the 60 days after the end of day supply of the initial prescription in the sildenafil cohort (2.71%) compared with the tadalafil (2.81%) and vardenafil (3.88%) cohorts (P < .001 for sildenafil vs tadalafil or vardenafil). Treatment overlap was lower in the sildenafil cohort (0.35%) than in the tadalafil (0.75%) and vardenafil (0.62%) groups (P < .001 for sildenafil vs tadalafil or vardenafil). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings provide insight into updated patterns of PDE5I prescriptions in the United States and may aid in clinical decision-making. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Strengths include the large sample size, long data coverage period, and the real-world nature of the study. Limitations include the retrospective study design, use of data collected with a primary focus of claims, and lack of further details regarding reasons that drive switching. Actual rates of ED and impact on prescription patterns may be underestimated because the claims database only captured patients electing to visit a health-care provider. CONCLUSION: Among men with ED in the United States, rates of switching and treatment overlap were low for all PDE5Is but were found to be the lowest for sildenafil compared with tadalafil and vardenafil. Mulhall JP, Chopra I, Patel D, et al. Phosphodiesterase Type-5 Inhibitor Prescription Patterns in the United States Among Men With Erectile Dysfunction: An Update. J Sex Med 2020;17:941-948.