Efficacy and Safety of Sildenafil Citrate for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in a Population With Associated Organic Risk Factors

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and associated organic risk factors in a multispecialty clinic. Patients (n = 521) were diagnosed with ED based on self-assessment. Associated risk factors were managed by medication or life-style modifications, or both, before treatment with sildenafil for ED. Patients received a 50-mg dose of sildenafil that could be adjusted to 100 mg or 25 mg based on tolerability and efficacy. Patients recorded the number of successful intercourse encounters for 6 to 8 weeks, and the number of adverse events. Overall, there was an 82% successful intercourse rate with sildenafil treatment. The predominant associated risk factors for ED were hypertension (39%), hypogonadism (37%), and multiple medications (34%). Common adverse events due to sildenafil treatment were mild to moderate in nature and resulted in <2% patient discontinuation. Clinicians should be particularly careful to evaluate patients presenting with ED because the condition can be accompanied by a wide spectrum of risk factors requiring monitoring and treatment. However, with adequate treatment and control of these risk factors, the use of sildenafil in a representative population of men with ED in a multispecialty clinic can achieve a higher efficacy rate than previous studies have indicated.