Outcome of managing impotence in clinical practice

Outside of controlled clinical trials, the outcome of treatment for unselected men with impotence is uncertain. This study aims to describe the clinical course of consecutive, unselected men referred to a specialist endocrinology private practice with a primary diagnosis of impotence.

Consecutive men referred with a primary diagnosis of impotence between June 1995 and December 1997 were studied. After initial evaluation and appropriate investigation, treatment with testosterone in hypogonadal men and instruction in the use of a vacuum device and intracavernosal alprostadil (Caverject) in all men was offered. All men were followed up by telephone and/or questionnaire about erection outcome three to twelve months later.

Nineteen diabetic men, aged 53.1+/-8.2 years and forty non-diabetic men, aged 54.8+/-11.6 years were seen. Follow-up information beyond three months was complete in fifty-three (90%). Eighteen eugonadal men chose no further therapy and four of these men had spontaneous return of erections. Eight men were hypogonadal and potency returned in two of six men treated with replacement testosterone. Nine men used the vacuum device, which was effective in three of them. Forty-one men had a trial of Caverject injection, which was effective in twenty-eight. Only twelve of these men used Caverject for longer than six months.

Return of erections with therapy beyond three months in unselected men with impotence is successful in only about one-third. Unexpected hypogonadism is relatively common in impotent men, but testosterone replacement therapy has a low rate of improving erections. New therapies for impotence need careful follow-up studies to assess their effectiveness in clinical practice.