Association Between Dosage Frequency and the Treatment Outcomes of Sildenafil in Young and Middle-aged Men With Erectile Dysfunction: A Chinese, Multicenter, Observational Study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the correlation between the dosage frequency of sildenafil and its treatment outcomes in men with erectile dysfunction (ED).MethodsData were from a 4-week, multicenter, observational study of men (1699), between 18 and 60 years of age, with a clinical diagnosis of ED defined as the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score ≤21. The erectile function and quality of sexual life were evaluated at the baseline and the endpoint of sildenafil treatment (after 4 weeks) by using SHIM, Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, Erection Hardness Score, and the global efficacy question.ResultsNine hundred thirty-five patients were enrolled in the ≤1 weekly, 573 in the 2-3 weekly, and 158 in the 4-7 weekly dosage frequency cohorts. After 4 weeks of treatment, a higher dosage frequency of sildenafil was associated with a better SHIM, Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey score improvement (all P <.0001). Hyperlipidemia is a poor prognostic factor (odds ratio, 3.59; P = .04), whereas hypertension (odds ratio, 0.25; P <.01) and coronary heart disease (odds ratio, 0.56; P = .05) are sensitive to sildenafil treatment.ConclusionHigher dosage frequency of sildenafil is associated with a better improvement of sexual function and quality of life of men with ED, and the concomitant treatment of hyperlipidemia is recommended.