Satisfaction profiles in men using intracavernosal injection therapy.

J Sex Med. 2011 Feb;8(2):512-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02093.x. Epub 2010 Nov 3.
Hsiao W, Bennett N, Guhring P, Narus J, Mulhall JP.

Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Urology, Center for Male Reproductive Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA.

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Intracavernosal injection therapy (ICI) is a well-established second-line therapy used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Controversy exists as to whether oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) or injection therapy lead to higher satisfaction.

AIM: This study addressed ICI satisfaction in a modern cohort of patients in the PDE5i era.

METHODS: Patients on ICI for at least 6 months were included in our study. Patients were administered the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) at the initial visit. On subsequent visits, patients were administered the IIEF and the Erection Hardness Scale (EHS).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Study end points were change in baseline scores in the satisfaction domains (SD) of the IIEF, type of injection medication used, and predictors of satisfaction. Multiple logistic regressions were performed for predictors of satisfaction.

RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two patients met inclusion criterion. Mean time to follow-up was 25±12 months (range 6-106 months). Sixty-five percent of patients continued injections at the time of follow-up. When SD scores were examined, intercourse SD scores increased from 4.8±1.7 at baseline to 12.3±3.1 (P<0.01); overall SD scores increased from 4.1±1.8 to 7.2±2.0 (P<0.05). On multivariate analysis, predictors of satisfaction included older age (odds ratio [OR]=2.1), younger partner age (OR=2.5), clinically significant increase in the erectile function domain score (OR=3.1), and attainment of a "fully rigid" erection (EHS 4) (OR=6.8).

CONCLUSIONS: We have evaluated satisfaction in a modern cohort of ICI patients. While dropout rates are significant, for those patients who continue to inject, we have found high levels of satisfaction using the IIEF, the gold standard for evaluation of erectile function. On multivariate analysis, we found that older age, younger partner age, and fully rigid erections were predictors of increased satisfaction. ICI remains a robust second-line therapy in the treatment of ED even in the era of PDE5i.

© 2010 International Society for Sexual Medicine.
PMID: 21054797 [PubMed - in process]

Assessment of comparative treatment satisfaction with sildenafil citrate and penile injection therapy in patients responding to both.

BJU Int. 2007 Dec;100(6):1313-6.

Mulhall JP, Simmons J.
Urology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center & Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. jpm2005@med.cornell.edu

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To survey patient satisfaction, using validated questionnaires, in a group of men with erectile dysfunction who had used and responded to both sildenafil citrate and intracavernosal injection (ICI) therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 300 patients on ICI therapy were mailed questionnaire packets containing a survey enquiring about the patients' medical history, and two sets of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) sexual function surveys. If patients were using sildenafil alternating with ICI they were asked to complete the IIEF and EDITS questionnaires for each therapy. To identify only patients who had an adequate response to each agent, a score of >/=22 on the EF domain of the IIEF for sildenafil and ICI was required for inclusion in the final analysis.

RESULTS: In all, 178 packets were evaluable; 123 men (69%) responded to ICI but not sildenafil, and 11 (6%) responded only to sildenafil and not ICI, leaving 37 patients who responded to both; these patients comprised the study population. There was no difference in EF domain score of the IIEF between the treatments; EDITS scores were significantly higher for ICI therapy than for sildenafil (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: In patients who alternate the use of sildenafil and ICI therapy, satisfaction appears to be higher with ICI, although the erectogenic performance is similar. This suggests that patient satisfaction does not depend solely on erection performance, and that patients might benefit from various treatment options.

Assessment of comparative treatment satisfaction with sildenafil citrate and penile injection therapy in patients responding to both.

BJU Int. 2007 Dec;100(6):1313-6. Mulhall JP, Simmons J.
Urology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center & Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. jpm2005@med.cornell.edu

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OBJECTIVE: To survey patient satisfaction, using validated questionnaires, in a group of men with erectile dysfunction who had used and responded to both sildenafil citrate and intracavernosal injection (ICI) therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 300 patients on ICI therapy were mailed questionnaire packets containing a survey enquiring about the patients' medical history, and two sets of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) sexual function surveys. If patients were using sildenafil alternating with ICI they were asked to complete the IIEF and EDITS questionnaires for each therapy. To identify only patients who had an adequate response to each agent, a score of >/=22 on the EF domain of the IIEF for sildenafil and ICI was required for inclusion in the final analysis.

RESULTS: In all, 178 packets were evaluable; 123 men (69%) responded to ICI but not sildenafil, and 11 (6%) responded only to sildenafil and not ICI, leaving 37 patients who responded to both; these patients comprised the study population. There was no difference in EF domain score of the IIEF between the treatments; EDITS scores were significantly higher for ICI therapy than for sildenafil (P <>

CONCLUSIONS: In patients who alternate the use of sildenafil and ICI therapy, satisfaction appears to be higher with ICI, although the erectogenic performance is similar. This suggests that patient satisfaction does not depend solely on erection performance, and that patients might benefit from various treatment options.

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