Patient and partner satisfaction with Viagra (sildenafil citrate) treatment as determined by the Erectile Dysfunction...

To assess the efficacy and safety of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) in male outpatients with erectile dysfunction and patient and partner satisfaction with treatment using the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS).

A total of 247 patients with erectile dysfunction of broad-spectrum etiology were treated in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter study conducted at outpatient clinics. Patients receiving oral sildenafil (25, 50, and 100 mg) were compared with patients receiving placebo during a 12-week period. The principal efficacy measures were responses to question 3 (ability to achieve an erection) and question 4 (ability to maintain an erection) on the International Index of Erectile Function and three global efficacy questions. Patient and partner satisfaction with treatment were assessed, for the first time, using the EDITS questionnaire.

Efficacy scores for the International Index of Erectile Function questions and the global efficacy questions were significantly higher for patients receiving sildenafil than for those receiving placebo (P <0.001). Both patients and partners receiving sildenafil also had significantly higher EDITS scores than those receiving placebo (P <0.001). Adverse events were chiefly mild or moderate. Two patients receiving sildenafil and none receiving placebo discontinued treatment because of adverse events.

Sildenafil was an effective, well-tolerated treatment for erectile dysfunction in an outpatient setting. Partner evaluations corroborated patient assessments. The results from the EDITS questionnaire indicated that after 12 weeks of receiving sildenafil both patients and partners reported higher levels of treatment satisfaction relative to placebo.