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Long-term intracavernosal injection therapy: treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 32, pages 345–351 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Intracavernosal injection therapy (ICI) was the first pharmacologic treatment in the management of erectile dysfunction. ICI allows for customization of medication composition and concentrations, making it a highly effective treatment with an acceptable side effect profile. The objective was to investigate the long-term results of ICI using validated and non-validated instruments. This is a retrospective, single-institution study of 105 patients (mean age 61.6 ± 11.1) patients using ICI. Mean duration of ICI was 8.4 ± 6.25 years. Pre- and post-treatment patient-reported penile rigidity were 41.1% ± 29.3 and 89.6% ± 13.6, respectively (p < 0.05). Statistical changes were also found in the pre and post International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores (33.0 ± 14.4 and 60.0 ± 12.7, p < 0.05), erectile function (11.5 ± 1.3 and 27.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.05) and satisfaction domains (5.3 ± 1.5 and 8.1 ± 1.1, p < 0.05) of the IIEF. There were no statistical differences in questionnaire outcomes between difficult to treat patients (diabetes or radical prostatectomy) and the remainder of queried patients. Complications were rare and included priapism (7.1%), penile curvature (10%; <30°), bruising (7.6%), and mild penile pain (12.4%). Overall, ICI therapy is safe and effective, and compliance may be augmented by patient education, dosing customization, and cost reduction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, 725 Albany St., Suite 3B, Boston, MA, 02118, USA

    Priyanka Bearelly, Shu Pan & Ricardo Munarriz

  2. CentraCare Health, Department of Urology, 1900 CentraCare Circle, St. Cloud, MN, 56303, USA

    Elizabeth A. Phillips

  3. Duke University School of Business, 100 Fuqua Drive, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

    Kevin O’Brien

  4. Pioneer Valley Urology, 100 Wason Ave, Suite 120, Springfield, MA, 01107, USA

    Kevin Asher

  5. Urology Specialty Care of Miami, 7600 Southwest 87th Ave, Suite 206, Miami, FL, 33173, USA

    Daniel Martinez

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  1. Priyanka Bearelly
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Correspondence to Ricardo Munarriz.

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Dr Ricardo Munarriz is a consultant for Coloplast. Kevin O’Brien plans to attend an internship with Pfizer.

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Bearelly, P., Phillips, E.A., Pan, S. et al. Long-term intracavernosal injection therapy: treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction. Int J Impot Res 32, 345–351 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-019-0186-z

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