Assessment Of Erectile Function Research Articles

Optimizing erectile function evaluation pattern in postoperative pelvic fracture-urethral injury patients: introducing PFUI pEF PROM.

To establish a psychometric validated pelvic fracture-urethral injury postoperative erectile function patient reported outcome measure (PFUI pEF PROM). We also aim to explore PFUI patients' potential classification and suitable postoperative erectile function assessment pattern. A total of 93 PFUI patients who treated by excisionandprimaryanastomotic (EPA) urethroplasty from January 2020 to August 2022 were enrolled to this study. Patients who had intercourse completed the IIEF-5, those who had sexual stimulation other than intercourse finished PFUI pEF PROM, and those who performed both completed the IIEF-5, and PFUI pEF PROM. Erection Hardness Score (EHS) was completed by all patients. This PROM was performed psychometric validation and used to find PFUI patients potential classification through latent class analysis. Then, we determined the cut-off value though receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and performed univariate analysis subgroups feature. The PFUI pEF PROM demonstrated high reliability and validity with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.928. It correlated significantly with IIEF-5 (r = 0.550, p < 0.001) and EHS (r = 0.909, p < 0.001). The latent class analysis identified three patient subgroups, with 14.5 as the subgroup cut-off value. Urethral stricture length, IIEF-5, and EHS score were identified as influence factors for maximal erection potential. An assessment pattern combining IIEF-5, EHS, and the PFUI pEF PROM covered 92.5% of patients. This PROM effectively addresses the current limitation in assessing erectile function in PFUI patients. This study provides a promising tool for stratified assessment, prediction erection recovery, and treatment guidance in the PFUI Erectile dysfunction field.

Vibration disease: assessment of erectile function and androgen balance

The article presents the data on the effect of vibration disease caused by exposure to local vibration on the state of male sexual function. The presence of erectile function in subjects with vibration disease, depending on its severity, is shown, which indicates the role of local vibration in the formation of erectile function and raises the problem of early prevention and timely treatment of identified disorders. Interaction disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system were identified in men with vibration disease caused by exposure to local vibration. Mandatory periodic medical examinations of enterprise employees whose work involves exposure to local vibra tion should be carried out once every 5 years at the occupational pathology center of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation (according to Order of the Ministry of Health of Russia No. 29n dated January 28, 2021). When conducting such medical examinations, we recommend involving neurologists and urologists-andrologists and expanding the list of instrumental research methods to include methods for assessing erectile function.

(049) Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction in Men with Stress Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy

Abstract Introduction Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are significant complications that have a negative impact on patients' quality of life following radical prostatectomy (RP). Objective This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ED in men with SUI who underwent RP the first year after RP. Methods This study included men who underwent RP and followed up for 1 year post-surgery. Men who received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or radiation therapy before or after RP were excluded. We performed a descriptive assessment of demographics, comorbidities, erectile function (EF), laboratory, surgical pathology, and nerve-sparing status (NSS). Post-op SUI was described based on the number of pads used per day, categorized as 0 to 1 pad per day (continent or mild/social SUI), 2 pads per day (moderate SUI), and ≥ 3 pads per day (severe SUI) at 3, 6, and 12 months post-RP. ED was described based on IIEF score as normal EF normal (≥24), mild ED (18-23), moderate ED (11-17), and severe ED (≤10) at 3, 6, and 12 months post-RP. We reported the prevalence of ED among men with SUI during the first year after RP. We assessed if the severity of the SUI was a predictor of severe ED in a multivariable logistic regression model at 3, 6, and 12 months post-RP. Factors entered into the model included: patient age, number of comorbidities (≥ 3), NVB status (both resected), pre-RP EF, PDE5i exposure post-RP (yes), and severe SUI (≥ 3 pads per day). Results 9953 men were included in this study, with a median age of 62 (56, 67). The median number of comorbidities was 1 (0, 2). 10% had diabetes, 27% obstructive sleep apnea, and 19% reported 3 or more comorbidities. Preoperative median PSA was 5.7 ng/ml, with a median Gleason grade of 2 (2, 3).73% had Bilateral NSS, 20% unilateral, and 7% had both sides resected. The prevalence of severe ED was higher among men with severe SUI compared to men with 0 to 1 pad per day at 3, 6, and 12 months post-RP. At 3 months, men with 0 to 1 pad per day reported 31% no/mild ED and 59% severe ED, vs. men with severe SUI described 18% no/mild ED and 75% severe ED (p-value &amp;lt;0.001). At 6 months, for men with continence/mild SUI, 35% described no/mild Ed and 51% severe ED vs. men with severe SUI who had 20% no/mild ED and 70% severe ED (p-value &amp;lt;0.001). And at 12 months, men with 0 to 1 pad per day reported 42% no/mild ED and 46% severe ED, vs. men with severe SUI described 22% no/mild ED and 70% severe ED (p-value &amp;lt;0.001). In the multivariable regression model, severe SUI significantly predicted severe ED at 3, 6, and 12 months (Table1). Conclusions Men experiencing severe SUI have a high prevalence of severe erectile dysfunction. Severe SUI significantly predicted severe ED during the first year following RP. Disclosure No.

Cell therapy for male sexual dysfunctions: systematic review and position statements from the European Society for Sexual Medicine.

Cell therapy (CT) is a form of regenerative medicine under investigation for the management of male sexual dysfunction (MSD). We sought to perform a systematic review of published information on CT for MSD and provide an official position statements for the European Society for Sexual Medicine. A comprehensive bibliographic search on the MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted in February 2023. Articles were selected based on the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, Study design (PICOS) model if they included male patients (P) undergoing CT (I) with or without comparison with other treatments (C) and evaluated the impact of CT on sexual function (O). Quantitative data were reported as found in the original studies (S). Level of evidence and grade of recommendation according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine were assigned to each statement. Outcomes were determined based on assessment of erectile function, ejaculatory function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, and penile curvature. A total of 19 studies and 421 patients were included. Most articles (n = 12, 63%) were case series, whereas a minority of papers (n = 6, 32%) had a comparative group; only 2 articles reported randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 1 article reported a post hoc analysis of RCTs. Most articles (16, 84%) investigated patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Improvements in the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function Domain (IIEF-EF) or the IIEF 5-item version (IIEF-5) were found in 11/15 (73%) studies, with mean increases in IIEF-EF, mean IIEF-5, and median IIEF-EF between 8 and 14 points, 2 and 9 points, and 4.5 and 6 points, respectively. Two papers (20%) evaluated men with Peyronie's disease (PD). In both ot these articles penile curvature improvement and plaque volume reduction were described in all patients (n = 16, 100%). Objective measurements were performed in 1 study, which showed 10°-120° (15%-100%) curvature improvement and 90%-100% plaque reduction. Mild transient adverse events at the donor or administration sites were found in 7/16 (44%) papers on ED. Priapism was reported in one case (20%) and mild penile skin complications were reported in the majority of patients after CT for PD. No severe adverse events were described. Although high-quality evidence is lacking, CT appears to have potential benefits from application in patients with ED or PD. This report is to our knowledge the most comprehensive and up-to-date systematic review on the topic of CT for the management of MSD, including the position statements of the European Society for Sexual Medicine. Overall the assessment of available studies demonstrated low quality and significant heterogeneity. Preliminary findings support potential efficacy and safety of CT in patients with ED or PD. Low-quality papers, high methodological heterogeneity, uncertainty about the magnitude of the beneficial effects, and lack of long-term data limit the available evidence.

Knockdown of programmed cell death factor 4 restores erectile function by attenuating apoptosis in rats with bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury.

Apoptosis is an important pathologic mechanism of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy. Studies have shown that programmed cell death factor 4 is connected to the modulation of apoptosis in many cells. However, the programmed cell death factor 4 function in the cavernous nerve injury erectile dysfunction is unclear. This investigation aimed to explore the programmed cell death factor 4 function in erectile dysfunction in rats with bilateral cavernous nerve crush. The experiment used 30 male Sprague Dawley rats (18 months old) that were screened for normal erectile function by the apomorphine test. Ten rats were randomized into Sham and bilateral cavernous nerve crush groups to detect changes in programmed cell death factor 4 expression. The remaining 20 rats were distributed at random to four groups: the Sham group treated by sham surgery, the phosphate-buffered saline group, the lentivirus containing negative control short hairpin RNA group, and the lentivirus containing short hairpin RNA targeting programmed cell death factor 4 group underwent bilateral cavernous nerve crush and were afterward administered intracavernous injections of phosphate-buffered saline, lentivirus containing negative control short hairpin RNA, or lentivirus containing short hairpin RNA targeting programmed cell death factor 4. Electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve was conducted 2 weeks later for penile erectile function assessment. The cavernous tissue was collected for histological analysis and western blotting. The apoptosis level in rat corpus cavernosum was elevated, and programmed cell death factor 4 expression was increased after bilateral cavernous nerve crush. Knockdown of programmed cell death factor 4 significantly improved erectile function in bilateral cavernous nerve crush rats. Furthermore, lentivirus containing short hairpin RNA targeting programmed cell death factor 4 treatment raised smooth muscle content and attenuated cavernous fibrosis and apoptotic levels. Additionally, programmed cell death factor 4 was found to mediate the PI3K/AKT pathway. Elevated programmed cell death factor 4 expression may be an important pathogenetic mechanism for erectile dysfunction after bilateral cavernous nerve crush, and the knockdown of programmed cell death factor 4 enhanced erectile function in 18-month-old rats after cavernous nerve damage. The potential mechanism may be the stimulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway to attenuate the cavernous apoptosis level.

Long-term outcomes after plaque excision grafting for Peyronie's disease and subanalysis of patients who undergo the procedure despite preoperative counseling against it.

Plaque excision and grafting (PEG) has been recommended for patients with Peyronie's disease (PD) with >60° curvature and/or hinge effect and strong preoperative erections, while placement of an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) is recommended when rigidity is suboptimal. Nevertheless, many patients counseled to undergo an IPP decline and insist on proceeding with PEG due to personal preference or desire to avoid an implant. We aim to review long-term outcomes in patients who underwent PEG for PD at our institution and investigate whether there is any difference in long-term outcomes in patients who undergo PEG despite a recommendation to undergo IPP. We conducted a retrospective chart review from 2007 to 2021 on PEG surgery performed at a single tertiary care institution in patients ≥18years old who had >3months of follow-up. Postoperative information was gathered from the electronic medical record, including postoperative erectile function, patient satisfaction, and the ability to engage in penetrative sexual intercourse. An overall 251 patients underwent PEG with a median follow-up of 12 months (IQR, 6-54). Among these, 54 (22%) were initially advised to undergo IPP but elected for PEG. Patients who underwent PEG despite counseling to undergo IPP reported lower postoperative ability to engage in intercourse (51% vs 76%). Seven (13%) patients initially advised to undergo IPP eventually received an IPP, relative to 7 (4%) initially advised to undergo PEG. Thorough preoperative assessment of erectile function and penile deformity can guide clinician counseling and manage patient expectations during decision making between PEG surgery and IPP implantation for PD. Limitations of this study include its retrospective nature, high attrition to follow-up, and risk of recall and selection bias. This is a large study with a median follow-up of 12months, with a high-volume single surgeon who treats patients in a specialized population of complex cases. Patients who were initially counseled to undergo IPP due to suboptimal erectile rigidity but elected for PEG had worse postoperative ability to engage in penetrative intercourse, and a higher proportion of these patients eventually received an IPP.

Percutaneous CT-Guided Cryoablation for Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer: Technical Feasibility, Safety, and Effectiveness

PurposeTo assess the feasibility and safety of using computed tomography (CT) guidance for ablation of prostate cancer in the salvage setting. Materials and MethodsThis institutional review board–approved retrospective study of consecutive patients who presented with prostate cancer recurrence and underwent percutaneous CT-guided cryoablation was conducted between July 2020 and September 2022. A total of 18 patients met the inclusion criteria, and a total of 19 procedures were performed. Demographic details; preablation and postablation urinary, rectal, and erectile function assessment; procedure details; and preoperative and postoperative imaging findings and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values were recorded. ResultsThe mean treated tumor size was 15.7 mm ± 6.2. Technical success was achieved in 18 of the 19 procedures (94.7%), with 1 procedure aborted due to inability to obtain a safe plane. The mean follow-up time was 10.0 months (range, 2.3–26.7 months) at the time of manuscript preparation. The mean PSA before ablation was 8.1 ng/mL ± 9.3, and postablation PSA nadir was 2.6 ng/mL ± 4.0 (P = .002). Of the 18 patients who had postoperative imaging, 16 (88.9%) had a complete response (ie, no evidence of residual disease), and 2 (11.1%) patients had residual disease. Overall, 16 (88.9%) of the 18 treated patients demonstrated a PSA and/or imaging response to ablation. Mild adverse events occurred in 4 (22%) of the 18 cases. ConclusionsCT-guided cryoablation appears to be a technically feasible, safe option for treating locally recurrent prostate cancer.

Study on clinical outcomes between non-transecting urethroplasty and lingual mucosal urethroplasty for iatrogenic bulbar urethral stricture treatment

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of non-transecting urethroplasty and lingual mucosal urethroplasty in the treatment of iatrogenic bulbar urethral stricture.ResultsA total of 25 patients with iatrogenic bulbar urethral stricture were enrolled, 12 of whom underwent lingual mucosal urethroplasty, 13 patients who underwent non-transecting urethroplasty. All patients were followed-up and evaluated at 3 postoperative months. Evaluations included urethrography, maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), nocturnal erectile function testing, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) assessment, and Anxiety Related Scale (SAS) assessment. In terms of operation time, there was a significant difference between non-transecting urethroplasty and lingual mucosal urethroplasty. However, there was no significant intergroup difference in intraoperative blood loss. Both techniques were associated with significantly improved Qmax relative to preoperative rates, but there was no significant difference between the groups in this regard over 3 months of postoperative follow-up. Nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity results showed that there was no significant change in tip hardness after surgery in the non-transecting urethroplasty group. Moreover, IIEF-5 scores indicated that there was no significant intergroup difference in terms of subjective postoperative erectile function. According to the preliminary psychological evaluations during postoperative follow-up, the anxiety scores of patients undergoing non-transecting urethroplasty significantly improved, but there was no significant change in the mean SAS score among patients who underwent lingual mucosal urethroplasty.ConclusionBoth surgical methods can achieve the clinical goal of treating iatrogenic bulbar urethral stricture. Non-transecting urethroplasty has the characteristics of short operation time, relative technical simplicity, and retention of the original erectile function of most patients, and the surgical outcomes of non-transecting urethroplasty are not inferior to those of lingual mucosal urethroplasty, and it is a promising technique for widespread use to treat bulbar urethral strictures.

Evolution of erectile dysfunction in individuals infected with human T-lymphotropic virus 1: a prospective cohort study.

Virtually all patients with human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) have some degree of erectile dysfunction (ED), but ED is also found in a large percentage of HTLV-1 carriers. To evaluate the evolution of ED in individuals infected with HTLV-1 who were followed for up to 15years. This prospective cohort study included men infected with HTLV-1 who had ED, were aged 18 to 70years, and were followed from January 2004 to December 2019. We used the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), the Expanded Disability Status Scale and Osame Motor Disability Scale, and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) to define and stratify ED, neurologic disability, and bladder dysfunction, respectively. Time to development of severe ED was the main outcome. We studied 90 men with ED (mean ± SD age, 52.8 ± 9.78years). At baseline, 42 were carriers, 16 had probable HAM/TSP, and 32 had definite HAM/TSP. IIEF-5 was highest among carriers and lowest in patients with definite HAM/TSP, whereas OABSS was lowest in carriers and highest in patients with definite HAM/TSP. Median (IQR) follow-up was 8.50 years (3.00-12.00). IIEF-5 fell significantly from baseline to last follow-up among carriers and patients with probable and definite HAM/TSP. There was an inverse correlation between the IIEF-5 and the OABSS at last follow-up (r = -0.62, P < .001). In survival analysis, the time to development of severe ED was significantly shorter in patients with definite HAM/TSP when compared with carriers (P = .001) and those with probable HAM/TSP (P = .014). The presence of definite HAM/TSP at baseline was independently associated with the development of severe ED, after adjustment for baseline age and proviral load (hazard ratio, 6.74; P = .008). Formal assessment of erectile function should be part of the routine clinical assessment of individuals infected with HTLV-1; worsening erectile function should alert clinicians to the possibility of neurologic deterioration. This is the first prospective cohort study to describe the course of ED in men infected with HTLV-1. The small sample size and absence of seronegative controls are limitations. ED is a slowly progressive clinical manifestation of HTLV-1 infection, and the degree of neurologic compromise at baseline is the main predictor of time to progression to severe ED.

NeuroSAFE PROOF: study protocol for a single-blinded, IDEAL stage 3, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial of NeuroSAFE robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy versus standard robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy in men with localized prostate cancer

BackgroundRobotic radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a first-line curative treatment option for localized prostate cancer. Postoperative erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence are common associated adverse side effects that can negatively impact patients’ quality of life. Preserving the lateral neurovascular bundles (NS) during RARP improves functional outcomes. However, selecting men for NS may be difficult when there is concern about incurring in positive surgical margin (PSM) which in turn risks adverse oncological outcomes. The NeuroSAFE technique (intra-operative frozen section examination of the neurovascular structure adjacent prostate margin) can provide real-time pathological consult to promote optimal NS whilst avoiding PSM.MethodsNeuroSAFE PROOF is a single-blinded, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial (RCT) in which men are randomly allocated 1:1 to either NeuroSAFE RARP or standard RARP. Men electing for RARP as primary treatment, who are continent and have good baseline erectile function (EF), defined by International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score > 21, are eligible. NS in the intervention arm is guided by the NeuroSAFE technique. NS in the standard arm is based on standard of care, i.e. a pre-operative image-based planning meeting, patient-specific clinical information, and digital rectal examination. The primary outcome is assessment of EF at 12 months. The primary endpoint is the proportion of men who achieve IIEF-5 score ≥ 21. A sample size of 404 was calculated to give a power of 90% to detect a difference of 14% between groups based on a feasibility study. Oncological outcomes are continuously monitored by an independent Data Monitoring Committee. Key secondary outcomes include urinary continence at 3 months assessed by the international consultation on incontinence questionnaire, rate of biochemical recurrence, EF recovery at 24 months, and difference in quality of life.DiscussionNeuroSAFE PROOF is the first RCT of intra-operative frozen section during radical prostatectomy in the world. It is properly powered to evaluate a difference in the recovery of EF for men undergoing RARP assessed by patient-reported outcome measures. It will provide evidence to guide the use of the NeuroSAFE technique around the world.Trial registrationNCT03317990 (23 October 2017). Regional Ethics Committee; reference 17/LO/1978.

A3 adenosine receptor allosteric modulator CF602 reverses erectile dysfunction in a diabetic rat model.

Adenosine plays a major role in erection by binding to its receptors and activating pathways resulting in increased arterial blood flow and intracavernosal pressure (ICP). CF602, an allosteric modulator of the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR), increases the binding affinity of the endogenous adenosine to the receptor. We examined the effect of CF602 on resolving erectile dysfunction (ED) in a diabetic ED rat model (streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats that were screened for ED using the apomorphine test). ED was assessed by measuring ICP and main arterial pressure (MAP) during electrostimulation of the cavernosal nerve. A single dose of CF602 or placebo was applied either topically (100 μl from a 100 nM or 500 nM solution) or orally (100, 200 or 500 μg/kg) prior to erectile function assessment. A significant dose-dependent improvement in the ICP:MAP ratio without a change in MAP was recorded with the topical and oral CF602 treatments. A significant increase in smooth muscle:collagen ratio, vascular endothelial growth factor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase was also observed in both administration modes. In conclusion, topical and oral treatment with CF602 significantly improved erectile function, supporting its further evaluation as a treatment for ED.

Радиоволновая электротерапия с радиочастотой 448 кгц в лечении пациентов с органической эректильной дисфункцией: проспективное рандомизированное простое слепое Sham-контролируемое исследование в параллельных группах

To evaluate the efficiency of radio wave electrotherapy (448 kHz) for the treatment of patients with organic erectile dysfunction (ED).A prospective, randomized, blind, sham- controlled clinical trial was carried out. Inclusion criteria were as following: 1) patients with 5 to 20 points on the IIEF-5 score; 2) patients with proven organic erectile dysfunction lasting at least 6 months; 3) patients with penile arterial insufficiency and/or venous insufficiency, confirmed by doppler study of penile vessels with pharmacological stimulation (peak systolic velocity (PSV) <25 cm/s, end-diastolic blood flow velocity (DPV) >5 cm/s, resistance index (IR) < 0.8). The participants were randomized into two groups (experimental and control) in a 1:1 ratio. The full treatment course lasted 9 weeks. Patients underwent an assessment of erectile function based on questionnaires (IIEF-5, SEP, Schramek), as well as Doppler ultrasound of the cavernous arteries before inclusion in the study as well as a after treatment.The study included 61 men (experimental group [n=31], control group [n=30]. There was a significant difference in the IIEF-5 scores after treatment between the experimental group and the control group (19.5+/-3.2 vs. 15.1+/-5.4, p=0.017, respectively). Significant differences were also noted in mean total score of the SEP questionnaire: an increase to 3.6+/-1.0 in the treatment group compared to 2.4+/-1.1 in the control group (p=0.004). The results of the Schramek questionnaire also demonstrated a significant increase in the mean score in the experimental group compared to the control group: 4.2+/-0.6 vs. 3.2+/-1.0 (p=0.011). The response time to the drug and the detumescence time also significantly differed between the two groups: 11.9+/-4.0 min vs. 15.5+/-4.1 min, p=0.001 and 126.6+/-60.7 min vs. 66.2+/-40.9, p<0.001, respectively. Neither complications nor any adverse events were recorded during treatment or after its completion.Radio wave electrotherapy with a radiofrequency of 448 kHz can improve the IIEF-5, SEP and Schramek scores, as well as the indicators of ultrasound Doppler ultrasonography in patients with organic ED. To assess the feasibility of this method in patients with organic ED of different stages, further studies are needed.

The Value of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) in Characterizing the Erectile Function in Patients with Peyronie's Disease

ABSTRACT Introduction Peyronie's Disease (PD) is characterized by physical deformity in the penis that often has a negative impact on the sexual relationship of the patient and his partner. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) is a standardized patient questionnaire used to measure various aspects of erectile performance and the severity of erectile dysfunction. IIEF accuracy in patients with Peyronie's disease has been criticized as the questions that compromise this tool inquire about sexual activity and intercourse in the patient over the past 30 days, not considering the fact that those patients are able to achieve adequate erection for intercourse but do not engage either due to physical difficulty due to curvature or psychological stress, hence misrepresenting the degree of erectile dysfunction. Objective In this study, we correlate the IIEF score domain with the presence of vascular abnormalities on penile duplex doppler ultrasound (PDDU) during the evaluation of patients for PD. Methods We evaluate all patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of PD with a PDDU for better counseling on different treatment options. The IIEF questionnaire is filled at the beginning of each study. Arterial insufficiency is characterized by peak systolic velocity (PSV) less than 30 ml/sec, while venous leak is characterized by end-diastolic velocity (EDV) more than 5 ml/sec. Those measurements are obtained at 10, 15 and 20 min after injecting intracevrnosal vasoactive agent, while recording the tumescence and rigidity at each time point. In addition, we correlate the severity of IIEF score with the prevalence of vascular abnormalities detected in the PDDU study. Results 540 consecutive patients between January 2016 and December 2020 were included in this study. The mean age of the cohort was 55.1 years. The average curvature was 53.3 degrees, with mean tumescence and rigidity achieved 90% and 70.6%, respectively. Graph 1 shows the distribution of the different vascular abnormalities detected on the PDDU in each category of IIEF abnormality. There is a clear decreasing trend of finding non-vascular abnormalities as the IIEF value decrease from None to Severe (Figure 1). Additionally, there is concomitant rise in the amount of arterial insufficiency and venous leak (counting venous leak and mixed etiology) as the severity measured on IIED questionnaire increases. Conclusions While IIEF questionnaire has been criticized in patients with PD as being an inaccurate assessment of erectile function, it seems to still be of a value and roughly correlates with PDDU findings. After analyzing data from our cohort, IIEF has the potential assist in treatment decision making as a screening tool for need of additional tests with higher specificity. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Endo Pharma

A Modified Procedure to Diagnose Erectile Dysfunction Using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-6) Combined With the Premature Ejaculation Diagnosis Tool (PEDT) via an Internet Survey.

BackgroundThe reliability of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) in diagnosing erectile dysfunction (ED) is significantly decreased for the population with premature ejaculation (PE).AimWe aimed to illustrate a better way of diagnosing ED among the general population through a web survey study.MethodsWe collected online surveys from 2,746 men between the ages of 18 and 65. Two methods were used to determine the prevalence of ED, and these 2 methods were compared. Additionally, we divided our sample into 2 equally sized groups by median age and repeated the analyses for each group. In Method Ⅰ (M Ⅰ), men with an IIEF-5 score ≤ 21 were diagnosed with ED. In Method Ⅱ (M Ⅱ), PE was defined as a PEDT score ≥ 9, and no-PE was defined as a PEDT score ≤ 8. We used an IIEF-6 score cutoff of ≤ 24 among the PE population and a cutoff of ≤ 25 among the no-PE population to diagnose ED.Main outcome measuresWe examined the results from the IIEF-5, PEDT, and IIEF-6.ResultsOf the 2,746 men, 1,540 were in a stable heterosexual relationship, and the prevalence of ED among these men was determined. The prevalence of ED, as measured by Method Ⅰ, was significantly higher than that measured by Method Ⅱ. The kappa coefficients between the 2 methods were 0.595, 0.704, and 0.430 for the overall, no-PE, and PE populations, respectively. The internal consistency of the IIEF-5 for the PE population increased if Question 5 (intercourse satisfaction) was removed. Similar trends were observed for the groups, and there were no substantial differences.Clinical implicationsOur research suggests that before using the erectile function assessment scale to evaluate erectile function, ejaculatory function should be assessed with the PEDT.Strengths and limitationsThis was the first study to highlight the importance of evaluating ejaculatory function using the PEDT before diagnosing ED via an internet survey. There may have been recruitment bias because our study was an internet survey.ConclusionEstablishing the prevalence of ED by using a combination of the IIEF-6 and PEDT was more reliable than using the IIEF-5 alone. Further validation of the modified procedure, especially regarding the effects of age on the results, in future studies is required.Wang C, Zhang H, Liu Z, et al. A Modified Procedure to Diagnose Erectile Dysfunction Using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-6) Combined With the Premature Ejaculation Diagnosis Tool (PEDT) via an Internet Survey. Sex Med 2022;10:100506.

Evaluating the Effects of Low Carbohydrate and High Protein Diet on Erectile Function in Rats.

IntroductionCarbohydrate restriction in diet is becoming a popular means of losing weight nowadays, although it has been reported that excessive intake of low-carbohydrate and high-protein (LCHP) diet causes an adverse effect on cardiovascular function.AimTo investigate the influence of LCHP on erectile function in rats.MethodsA total of 48, 12-week-old rats were divided into 2 groups and either fed a LCHP diet (LCHP group) or a normal diet (Control group). Hematological examination, blood pressure evaluation, erectile function assessments as well as evaluations of the relaxation and contractile responses of corpus cavernosum were carried out in these rats by using standardized methods. Statistical analysis using 2-way ANOVA and Welch's t-test was conducted to examine the obtained data.Main Outcome MeasureAt the end of the study period, the evaluated outcomes to assess erectile function were intracavernosal pressure , mean arterial pressure , endothelial functions, nitric oxide (NO)-operated nerve functions and the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1).ResultsThe intracavernosal pressure / mean arterial pressure ratio was significantly lower in the LCHP group (P < .05) at 4 weeks. Compared to the Control group, the LCHP group exhibited significantly lower responses to ACh and EFS and a decreased nNOS mRNA expression. The results based on this animal model indicate that extreme carbohydrate restricted diet may affect erectile function. Our study identified that LCHP decreased erectile function in rats. A major limitation of this study is, due to the extreme condition of completely replacing carbohydrates with protein, that carbohydrate intake will be gradually increased in the future.ConclusionExtreme carbohydrate restriction and high protein in diet may cause ED with vascular endothelial dysfunction and a decrease in the relaxation response of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle via NO-operated nerves.Kataoka T, Hidaka J, Suzuki J, et al. Evaluating the Effects of Low Carbohydrate and High Protein Diet on Erectile Function in Rats. Sex Med 2021;10:100500.

One-year Functional Outcomes after Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP): Introduction of a Composite Score (Hexafecta).

To compare the efficiency (micturition symptoms, continence, erection) and safety of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) with a single composite score (the Hexafecta score) one year postprocedure. We conducted a single-center retrospective study including all patients who had undergone HoLEP for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) between May 2013 and August 2017. Data were obtained preoperatively and at the 6- and 12-month visits. We also reported all 90-day complications. The Hexafecta score included 6 criteria: peak urine flow of at least 15ml/s, 30% reduction in International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) score, quality of life via the IPSS less than 2, no incontinence (International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire), no significant change in erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function), and no grade III or more complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Two hundred thirty-five patients were included, of whom 197 (83.8%) completed the 12-month visit. Complete data were available to assess the Hexafecta score for 178 of them (75.7%). Most of the missing data were for uroflowmetry and the erectile function assessment. Hundred three patients (58%) met all 6 criteria, while 45 (25%) met 5 of them. None were retreated for BPH in the follow-up period. The de novo incontinence rate was 4.1%. The Hexafecta score is a simple, transversal method for comprehensively evaluating functional outcomes after HoLEP surgery. Such an evaluation could be used to compare other types of procedures for BPH treatment. 3.

Effect of Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs on Erectile Functions among Hepatitis C Patients: A Prospective Interventional Study.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection that greatly affects patients' quality of life. Unfortunately, some of the drugs used for HCV treatment may have a negative impact on the patient's erectile function, such as the pegylated interferon. Currently, with the introduction of direct-acting antiviral drugs, there is scarce data in the literature about its potential impact on erectile function. In these settings, we aimed to assess the impact of sofosbuvir-based therapy on male erectile function. This prospective interventional study was carried out in Benha University hospitals between January 2019 and May 2020. The study included all consecutive HCV patients with simultaneous ED coming to the hepatology outpatient clinic. Patients were divided into a study group who received sofosbuvir-based therapy (group A) or a control group who received silymarin therapy (group B). The International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) was used for the assessment of erectile function at different time points (pretreatment, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment). Different variables in both groups have been statistically analyzed. Overall, 75 patients who received sofosbuvir-based therapy and a control group (n = 35) matched for age and pretreatment variables (Child-Turcotte-Pugh score and Fibrosis-4 score). There was no significant difference between both groups in the pretreatment data. On the other hand, the posttreatment IIEF-5 was significantly higher in the sofosbuvir arm compared to the silymarin arm both at six months (p<0.001) and at 12 months (p<0.001). Furthermore, the age and the stage of liver fibrosis were negatively correlated with IIEF-5 at all-time points. The age and the stage of liver fibrosis are significantly correlated with the degree of ED. Furthermore, sofosbuvir-based therapy may be associated with significant improvement in patients with erectile function.

Justification of vacuum prophylaxis as part of the penile rehabilitation in patients after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy

Introduction. In healthy men, a significant increase in pO2 in the cavernous tissue occurs during episodes of nocturnal erections. This process ensures sufficient oxygenation and high-pressure substances such as prostaglandin-E1 and nitric oxide. These substances suppress the expression of transforming growth factor β1, thereby preventing collagen synthesis and the development of cavernous fibrosis. In patients undergoing nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy, nocturnal erections are absent, hypoxia inhibits the production of PGE-i, and neuropraxia inhibits NO. Thus, cavernous fibrosis develops through the production of pro-apoptotic and profibrotic factors, resulting in persistent erectile dysfunction. The importance of a vacuum in penile rehabilitation for the prevention of penile cavernous hypoxia is not fully understood. This is due to the deficiency of data on the gas composition of cavernous blood when a vacuum-induced erection is achieved.Purpose of the study. To investigate the cavernous blood at the time of vacuum-induced erection, to analyze the obtained results with the International Index of Erectile Function score and with the values of penile hemodynamics.Materials and methods. The study included i5 patients with prostate cancer and preserved sexual function. The average age of all men was 57.87 ±4.36 years. All patients underwent a preoperative comprehensive assessment of erectile function: International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire, dynamic duplex penile ultrasound. Immediately prior to the surgery, penile blood was collected at the time of achieving a vacuum-induced erection. The gas composition and oxygenation were assessed using the values of the partial oxygen pressure, carbon dioxide and saturation in accordance with the approved standards to differentiate arterial and venous blood. Statistical data processing was carried out using the PASW Statistics 22 software (IBM SPSS, IBM Corp., Chicago, IL, USA)Results. All patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the gas composition and oxygen level of the cavernous blood. Group I included 4 (26.6%) patients with a predominance of arterial blood, group II — 4 patients (26.6%) with venous blood and group III — 7 patients (46.6%) with a mixed composition of cavernous blood. The average International Index of Erectile Function score in group I was 23.5 [2i.0; 25.0], in group II — 22.0 [2i.0; 24.0] and in group III — 24.0 [i9.0; 25.0]. Peak systolic velocity (cm/s) in group I was 40.i [35.i; 45.2], in group II — 35.9 [29.5; 50.2], in group III — 32.5 [32.5; 34.4]. End-diastolic velocity (cm/s) in group I was 2.52 [0.55; i0.5], in group II — 8.3 [2.9; i0.8], in group III — 7.5 [7.5; 9.0]. Resistive index in group I was 0.87 [0.77; 0.98], in group II — 0.75 [0.63; 0.94], in group III — 0.75 [0.73; 0.75].Conclusions. Vacuum prophylaxis may be the method of choice for penile rehabilitation in patients after nerve-sparing radical prostateectomy, especially in the early postoperative period during neuropraxia. The use of vacuum devices should be prescribed to patients with preserved veno-occlusive mechanism, which should be confirmed by dynamic duplex penile ultrasound.

Study of the Efficiency of Using Type 5 Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors in the Therapy of Ereсtile Dysfunction in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a symptom complex that combines abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension. One of the complications of metabolic syndrome is sexual dysfunction in men. The objective: is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of udenafil 200 mg in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome. Materials and methods. The clinical efficacy of the IV generation PDE-5 inhibitor medicine udenafil in 76 patients with erectile dysfunction of mixed origin and with metabolic syndrome in dynamics was studied. The average age was 51,6±8,2 years. The observation period was 12 weeks, but the control of metabolic syndrome parameters (anthropometry, review, biochemical blood tests) and the assessment of erectile function were carried out for 6 months. Results. After 12 weeks, patients achieved positive results in weight loss, BMI and waist circumference, although not significantly. It is necessary to note the positive changes in the indicators of the cardiovascular system. The downward trend was demonstrated by such indicators as heart. Diet therapy and taking statins have improved the indicators of fat metabolism. Correction of metabolic disorders in patients was accompanied by an increase in total and free testosterone. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the degree of increase in the concentration of androgens. Correction of metabolic disorders in patients was accompanied by an increase in total and free testosterone. During treatment, almost all integrative indices of IIEF increased. Specifically, the index «erectile function» improved 2,26 times (p&lt;0,01), «satisfaction with intercourse» 2,59 times (p&lt;0,001), «orgasm» 2,0 times (p&lt;0,01), «libido» – 2,9 times (p&lt;0,001), «general satisfaction» 2,3 times (p&lt;0,01). According to various indicators, the sexual function of men with metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction improved 2–2,9 times. Changes in cavernous blood flow on Doppler ultrasonography showed an increase in peak systolic blood flow rate by 1,5 times, which is associated with the udenafil half-life. Our data indicate that the use of the medicine udenafil is perspective in men with erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome and in those who do not have stable family-sexual relations to ensure spontaneity of sexual relations. Conclusions. Udenafil can be considered as a first-line medecine in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Knockdown of miR-423-5p simultaneously upgrades the eNOS and VEGFa pathways in ADSCs and improves erectile function in diabetic rats.

This study aimed to explore the possibility of miR‐423‐5p modified adipose‐derived stem cell (ADSCs) therapy on streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes mellitus erectile dysfunction (DMED) rats. MiR‐423‐5p was knocked down in ADSCs. ADSCs, NC‐miR‐ADSCs and miR‐ADSCs were co‐cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Normal and high glucose media were supplemented. The supernatant and HUVECs were collected for assessment of eNOS and VEGFa expression, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. HUVECs co‐cultured with ADSCs or miR‐ADSCs exhibited higher eNOS and VEGFa protein expression levels compared to DM groups. MiR‐ADSCs enhanced HUVEC proliferation compared to the ADSCs and NC‐miR‐ADSCs. Lower apoptotic rates were observed when HUVECs were co‐cultured with miR‐ADSCs, compared to ADSCs and NC‐miR‐ADSCs. Fifteen male Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats aged 12 weeks were induced to develop diabetes mellitus by intraperitoneal injection with STZ, and five healthy SD rats were used as normal controls. Eight weeks after developing diabetes, the rats received ADSCs and miR‐ADSCs via injection into the corpora cavernosa, whereas normal controls and DM controls were injected with saline. Erectile function and histological assessment of penile tissues were performed 8 weeks after injection. The ICP/MAP indicated that erectile function was impaired in the DM rats compared with the normal group. Injection of ADSCs and miR‐ADSCs improved erectile function significantly and was associated with the overexpression of eNOS and VEGFa. MiR‐423‐5p knockdown in ADSCs ameliorated high glucose‐mediated damage to HUVECs and improved erectile function in DM rats by inducing eNOS and VEGFa overexpression, indicating that miR‐423‐5p may be a potential target in the treatment of DMED.