Response of erectile dysfunction to extracorporeal shock wave therapy in type 2 diabetic men

Abstract

IntroductionErectile dysfunction is a major complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate the effect of active vs. sham low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) on erectile dysfunction in T2DM men.MethodsOverall, 40 married T2DM men aged 40–50 years with erectile dysfunction were assigned to the study and the control group. Besides a 12-week daily administration of a 5-mg tablet of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5I) tadalafil in both groups, the control group (<i>n</i> = 20) received sham Li-ESWT, while the study group (<i>n</i> = 20) received 2 active Li-ESWT (on the penile shaft with 1800 pulses and intensity of 0.09 mJ/mm<sup>2</sup>) sessions weekly for 3 consecutive weeks; then, the procedure was repeated for another 3 consecutive weeks, with a 3-week rest between the 2 procedures. Erectile dysfunction was assessed by the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Baseline, 1-month follow-up, 3-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up IIEF-5 scores were documented.ResultsAfter 1- and 3-month follow-up, there was a significant difference between the active and sham groups in favour of the active Li-ESWT group (<i>p</i>-value of 0.0001 and 0.01, respectively), but there was no significant difference between the groups at 6-month follow-up.ConclusionsLi-ESWT can increase the long-term efficacy of PDE5I in T2DM men with erectile dysfunction.