Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue, particularly among older adults, and it greatly affects one's quality of life. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) are often the first choice for treatment, but not all patients experience positive results. A new research study aimed to find out why PDE5I treatments sometimes fail in ED patients.
Methods
The study analyzed data from January 2016 to January 2022, focusing on ED patients who either didn't respond to PDE5I treatment or who had successful results. Information on patients' backgrounds, health conditions, and lab results was gathered and examined. The study did not include patients who had reasons to avoid the treatment or who didn't complete it.
Results
The group of patients where the treatment didn't work included 288 individuals, while 225 patients who responded well to the treatment were used for comparison. No significant differences were found in terms of marital status, other health conditions, smoking habits, or body mass index (BMI). However, significant differences were noticed in levels of HbA1c (a measure of blood sugar control), free testosterone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).
Conclusion
The study concluded that patients with higher HbA1c levels, lower free testosterone, and higher SHBG were more likely to experience failure with PDE5I treatments. Managing blood sugar levels and addressing hormonal imbalances might improve the effectiveness of PDE5I in treating ED. Nevertheless, more research is needed to fully understand all the factors that affect treatment outcomes.
