Efficacy of Low Density Linear Shockwave Treatment in Severe Arteriogenic Erectile Dysfunction Patients

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-intensity linear shockwave treatment (LI-ESWT) in patients with severe\udarteriogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) by comparing LI-ESWT combined with daily use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) with the daily\uduse of PDE5i alone.\udMaterials and Methods: A total of 23 patients were included in the study. The patients were separated into two groups: LI-ESWT + tadalafil 5 mg\ud(n=10) group and tadalafil 5 mg only group (n=13). LI-ESWT was applied once a week for four weeks. Oral tadalafil 5 mg once a day was started\udand continued for three months in both groups. The patients were evaluated with the International Erectile Function Index Questionnaire Erectile\udFunction Domain (IIEF-EF), Erection Hardness Score (EHS) and Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) 2 and 3 before treatment and the 1 and 3 months\udafter treatment.\udResults: No statistically significant difference was detected among IIEF-EF scores measured before and 1 and 3 months after treatment (p=0.091,\udp=0.198). At the end of the third month, IIEF score increased 4 points in LI-ESWT + tadalafil 5 mg group and 3.2 points in tadalafil 5 mg only group.\udNo statistically significant difference was detected in EHS, and the rate of positive responses to SEP2 and SEP3 questions at the 1st and 3rd months\udbetween the groups.\udConclusion: LI-ESWT is easily applicable without any significant side effects and it has positive effects on the outcomes, however, it is not an\udeffective treatment method in patients with severe arteriogenic ED