Effect of diabetes on shock wave therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the effect of diabetes in patients with erectile dysfunction treated with focal shock wave therapy in a specialized center in Spain. Methods The clinical data of men with erectile dysfunction treated during 2018-2019 in a specialized institution in Spain, who received 1 cycle of shock waves, were extracted. Patients with other sexual dysfunctions or incomplete data were excluded for analysis. The change in the score of the IIEF-15 questionnaire in diabetics versus non-diabetics was compared, adjusting for confounding variables using linear regression models. Results 409 patients met selection criteria and were included in this study. 53.5% were treated in Barcelona and 18% in Madrid, the average age was 55.5 years (+/- 12.5), 16.9% were diabetic and 80.4% had some other cardiovascular risk factor. The time with erectile dysfunction ranged between 1 and 36 months, and the baseline IIEF-5 score was 12.5 (+/- 6.2). At the end of therapy, the mean change in this score was lower in diabetics compared to non-diabetics (4.6 vs 1.9, p-value 0.006), which was independent of other confounding variables (p-value 0.029). Conclusions Diabetes decreases the effectiveness of focal shock wave therapy in Spanish men with vasculogenic ED, this condition should be treated to obtain better results. Conflicts of Interest The authors are employees of Boston Medical Group. This is a private institution to treat men's sexual dysfunctions. To evaluate the effect of diabetes in patients with erectile dysfunction treated with focal shock wave therapy in a specialized center in Spain. The clinical data of men with erectile dysfunction treated during 2018-2019 in a specialized institution in Spain, who received 1 cycle of shock waves, were extracted. Patients with other sexual dysfunctions or incomplete data were excluded for analysis. The change in the score of the IIEF-15 questionnaire in diabetics versus non-diabetics was compared, adjusting for confounding variables using linear regression models. 409 patients met selection criteria and were included in this study. 53.5% were treated in Barcelona and 18% in Madrid, the average age was 55.5 years (+/- 12.5), 16.9% were diabetic and 80.4% had some other cardiovascular risk factor. The time with erectile dysfunction ranged between 1 and 36 months, and the baseline IIEF-5 score was 12.5 (+/- 6.2). At the end of therapy, the mean change in this score was lower in diabetics compared to non-diabetics (4.6 vs 1.9, p-value 0.006), which was independent of other confounding variables (p-value 0.029). Diabetes decreases the effectiveness of focal shock wave therapy in Spanish men with vasculogenic ED, this condition should be treated to obtain better results.