CHAPTER 1: THE MANAGEMENT OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION: AN AUA UPDATE

Abstract

approach to develop a guideline for the ED treatment modalities that had become available in the United States after publication of the 1996 Report. Guideline statements from the 1996 Report on previously available therapeutic modalities were either revised or brought forward unchanged depending on the existing evidence. All guideline statements were graded according to the degree of flexibility in clinical application: standard, recommendation, or option, with standard being the least flexible and option being the most flexible (Table 1). Grading is based on two characteristics: knowledge of the health outcomes of the alternative intervention and preference for the intervention. The Panel believed that the patient, with physician guidance, must make his own decision in selecting treatment. Outcome estimates derived from review and meta-analysis of evidence provide physicians and patients with scientifically based information to assist them in making appropriate treatment decisions. Thus, a second Panel objective was to determine whether or not there was sufficient evidence for outcomes (both benefits and risks) to be estimated.