Acute Effects of Sildenafil on Uroflowmetric Parameters in Erectile Dysfunction Patients With and Without Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Abstract

Using phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms continues to draw attention. Despite clinical improvements in patients, it is still debatable whether urinary flow rates are increased or not. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of sildenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, on uroflowmetry parameters. A total of 110 men who had applied to our outpatient clinics and who had had no history of alpha blocker and PDE5 inhibitor use were included in our study. Two uroflowmetries were performed within 24-72 hours without any treatment. Participants received 50 mg of sildenafil at their third visit, and uroflowmetry was repeated after 2 hours. A total of 102 men were included in the analysis, and baseline uroflowmetry values were compared with values obtained after sildenafil use. The mean age of the 102 participants who had attended all three visits (92.7%) was 52.1 ± 12.2 years. Mean of baseline maximal flow rate values were 17.1 ± 5.1 mL/s, mean of baseline maximal flow rate after sildenafil was 18.2 ± 5.1 mL/s; average flow rate values at the baseline and after sildenafil were 9.5 ± 3.5 and 9.9 ± 3.5 mL/s, respectively. Means of postvoid residual urine volume for baseline and after sildenafil were 31.2 ± 20.1 and 27.7 ± 18.4 mL, respectively. Statistically significant difference is determined between baseline and postsildenafil values in terms of average flow rates at baseline and postvoid residual urine values. Results of this study suggest that sildenafil has an effect on uroflowmetric parameters during an acute period.