[Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in diagnosis and long-term therapy of erectile dysfunction]

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the worth of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) for the diagnosis and therapy of erectile dysfunction using the study of documents, a questionnaire and a clinical control. In testing, 58.3% of 300 patients responded completely to PGE1. Complications were pain (13%) and prolonged erections of more than 3 h (5%). Sixty-four of 300 patients began continuous therapy. Forty-three of 64 patients were evaluated retrospectively (time 5/88-9/94). Nine of 43 primary patients and 16/34 secondary patients dropped out after a medium therapy of 1 year. The main reasons for the dropouts were pain and fear of complications related to the therapy. Complications in long-term therapy were pain (35.3%), prolonged erection (0.4%), and local fibrosis (5.9%). PGE1 is not a magic drug in erectile dysfunction. The advantage of fewer prolonged erections compared to papaverine/phentolamin is restricted by the high incidence of pain. The relative lack of acceptance of autoinjection therapy in long-term follow-up demonstrates its limited value in the therapy of erectile dysfunction.