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Evaluation of clinical efficacy, safety and patient satisfaction rate after low‐intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction: an Australian first open‐label single‐arm prospective clinical trial
Author(s) -
Chung Eric,
Cartmill Ross
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/bju.13035
Subject(s) - medicine , erectile dysfunction , extracorporeal shockwave therapy , patient satisfaction , prospective cohort study , extracorporeal , tadalafil , clinical trial , erectile function , physical therapy , surgery , urology
Objective To evaluate the efficacy, safety and patient satisfaction rate with low‐intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy ( LiESWT ) in Australian men with erectile dysfunction ( ED ), as LiESWT induces neovascularisation and potentially enhances penile perfusion and improves erectile function. Patients and Methods Open‐label single‐arm prospective study of patients with ED with five‐item version of the International Index of Erectile Function ( IIEF ‐5) scores of >12 at baseline were enrolled after informed consent. Patient demographics, change in IIEF ‐5 and Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction ( EDITS ) scores, and overall satisfaction score (on a 5‐point scale) were recorded. Treatment consists of 3000 shockwaves (1000 shockwaves to the distal penis, base of penis and corporal bodies at the perineum) twice weekly for 6 weeks. Results All patients had tried and failed oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and most of the patients hah had ED for >18 months [mean (range) 21.8 (6–60) months]. No side‐effects to LiESWT were reported. Most patients reported an improvement in IIEF ‐5 score by 5 points (60%) and EDITS Index score by >50% (70%). Most patients were satisfied (scoring 4 out of 5; 67%) and would recommend the therapy to their friends (80%). Conclusion LiESWT appears to improve erectile function, is safe and potential plays an important role in penile rehabilitation in men whom failed medical therapy.