Sildenafil for Erectile Dysfunction-1998

Abstract

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the consistent or recurrent inability to acquire or sustain an erection of sufficient rigidity and duration for sexual intercourse [1]. It is the most common form of male sexual dysfunction, affecting more than 18 million men aged 20 or older in the USA [2]. This disorder is associated with age with estimated prevalence rates of 39% among men 40 years old and 67% among those 70 years old [3]. This study was the first to demonstrate that sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, was an effective treatment for men with ED when there were no other oral therapies available. Interestingly, PDE-5 inhibitors were originally developed to treat angina pectoris. However, the requirement for frequent dosing and interactions with nitrates made this problematic. During clinical trials, volunteers reported penile erections as a side effect and clinical trials investigating the use of PDE-5 inhibitors for ED began in 1993 [4].

Goldstein, I., Lue, T. F., Padma-Nathan, H., Rosen, R. C., Steers, W. D., and Wicker, P. A. (1998). Oral sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil Study Group. The New England Journal of Medicine, 338(20), 1397–1404.

Hyperlink to PDF: https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJM199805143382001?articleTools=true.