Effect of sildenafil on erectile dysfunction in spinal Cord injured patients

Background: Erectile dysfunction is a preoccupying issue, just like motor and bladder disability, in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients. This is particularly so because of the increasing prevalence of paraplegic and tetraplegic subjects and the fact that these patients areyounger, and sexually active. Objective: To determine the effects of Sildenafil (Viagra ®) on erectile dysfunction in SCI patients.Methods: After medical ethics committee approval and informed patient consent, we conducted a prospective inquiry between January and March 2007 in 16 SCI patients who were under Sildenafil treatment forerectile dysfunction. An abridged version of the InternationalIndex of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire was completed the patients. Results: The mean age (range) of the patients was32.75 yrs (21-53 yrs). The mean duration of their disability was 47.75 months (4 yr). Trauma was the etiology in 87.5% of the cases (44% were road accidents). 12/16 patients were paraplegics (10 above T10) and 4 were tetraplegics (1 above C4 and 3 below C5). Themean duration of sildenafil treatment was 18.75 months (17 days-7 yr). 70% of the patients were satisfied with their erection after treatment. However, 10/16 patients had concomitant treatment with alprostadil.Conclusion: Sildenafil is a vasoactive drug which can be used as a simple, discrete and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction in SCI patients. This approach is compatible with the efforts to improve the quality of life and rehabilitation of these patients