Diagnostic steps in the evaluation of patients with erectile dysfunction

PURPOSE: The necessity for a thorough diagnostic evaluation for erectile dysfunction has been questioned after the availability of effective oral therapies. We determined the impact of the different diagnostic steps on the management strategy for erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included all patients who presented at an andrology outpatient clinic during a 4-year period. Baseline evaluation included medical and sexual history, blood tests, physical examination and intracavernous injection test. Patients with normal initial screening were evaluated with specific diagnostic procedures. The results were analyzed to identify the diagnostic potential of each screening step separately. RESULTS: Overall 1,644 patients presented at the clinic during the study period, of whom 368 (22.4%) were excluded from study due to severe psychiatric (5.2%) or cardiovascular (2.7%) disease, or to a history of erectile dysfunction less than 3 months in duration (14.5%). In the remaining 1,276 patients with a mean age plus or minus standard deviation of 56 +/- 14 years, and a mean duration of erectile dysfunction of 4.9 +/- 3.4 years medical history revealed erectile dysfunction associated medical conditions in 57%, blood tests identified previously undiagnosed medical conditions in 6.2%, and physical examination and the intracavernous injection test were diagnostic in 13.9% and 2.6%, respectively. Initial screening was negative in 259 cases (20.3%), in which specific diagnostic procedures identified an underlying vascular pathology in 165 (12.9%) and unfavorable penile geometry in 16 (1.3%). The remaining 78 men (6.1%) had no evidence of organic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline diagnostic evaluation for erectile dysfunction can identify the underlying pathological condition or erectile dysfunction associated risk factors in 80% of patients. Such screening may diagnose reversible causes of erectile dysfunction and also unmask medical conditions that manifest with erectile dysfunction as the first symptom. Specific diagnostic procedures may be limited in patients with primary erectile dysfunction or those without risk factors. Such clinical data support previously published guidelines for erectile dysfunction management.     

Neurologic evaluation of erectile dysfunction

Most patients with neurogenic impotence present with a pre-existing neurologic disease. The neurologic assessment in these patients is generally performed to confirm that the underlying neuropathology plays a role in the erectile dysfunction. There are patients, however, with no obvious pre-existing neuropathology who are identified as having a vibratory impairment of the dorsal nerve on penile biothesiometry. Subsequent neurophysiologic testing in several of these patients has confirmed unsuspected neuropathology. An objective evaluation of autonomic cavernosal neurointegrity is still awaited. Such a test may enable the detection of efferent denervation resulting in neurogenic erectile dysfunction that is not clinically obvious.     

Bulbocavernosus reflex testing in 100 consecutive cases of erectile dysfunction

Electrophysiologic testing of the bulbocavernosus reflex is often part of the routine workup of erectile dysfunction. To assess how often prolonged or absent reflexes occur 100 consecutive males with erectile dysfunction, who had been referred to a hospital-based medial sexology program, were tested. Four per cent had prolonged latency times (greater than 43 msec), and an additional 5 per cent had an absent reflex. Bulbocavernosus reflex testing needs to be done in males where penile revascularization, or sex therapy, or both, are being considered as therapeutic options. An abnormal latency would contraindicate revascularization and should limit outcome expectations of sex therapy. It does not need to be a routine part of the diagnostic workup.     

Multifactorial evaluation of diabetic erectile dysfunction

We determined arterial venous and sinusoidal factors in 20 patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction by performing dynamic infusion cavernosometry (DIC), colour flow Doppler ultrasonography, penile biothesiometry and corpus cavernosum electromyography (CCE). DIC, colour flow Doppler ultrasonography and penile biothesiometry were done in standard fashion except for CCE. Paradoxical increase in the electrical activity of corpus cavernosum after intracavernous (IC) papaverine was called a discoordination that was due to cavernous smooth muscle contraction instead of relaxatoon. Arterial and accompanying pathologies were found in 10 (50%) patients. In 3 (15%) of them pure arterial pathology, in 6 (30%) patients arterial and veno-occlusive dysfunction (VOD) and in one patient arterial pathology with abnormal biothesiometry were found. VOD and accompanying pathologies were found in 12 (60%) patients. In 6 (30%) of them VOD and arterial, in 4 (20%) patients VOD and discoordination and in 2 (10%) patients VOD and abnormal biothesiometric values were present. A higher frequency and coexistence of VOD and discoordination pattern were observed. In conclusion, patients with diabetic impotence show a wide range pathophysiology of erection and the evaluation of these patients must include multistep techniques.     

AMS three-piece inflatable implants for erectile dysfunction: a long-term multi-institutional study in 200 consecutive patients

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the longterm mechanical reliability of AMS (American Medical Systems) three-piece inflatable implants and their impact on patient-partner satisfaction in 200 consecutive patients with erectile dysfunction who underwent surgery in five different institutions. METHODS: Patient charts included in the study were collected and extensively assessed to record pre- and intraoperative data and postoperative complications. All patients and 120 partners were then seen often in the office at a mean follow-up of 59 months (range 6-130) and they were extensively questioned about function of the device and its impact on the couple's sexual life. RESULTS: At the long-term follow-up, 185 patients (92.5%) were still engaging in sexual intercourse with a mean frequency of 1.7/week. Patients and partners reported prosthetic erections as excellent, satisfactory or poor in 96 (48%), 100 (50%) and 4 (2%) cases, and in 20 (17%), 80 (66%) and 20 (17%) cases, respectively. Postoperative sexual activity was considered excellent, satisfactory or poor by 140 (70%), 44 (22%) and 16 (8%) patients and by 34 (28%), 81 (68%) and 5 (4%) partners, respectively. Reasons for patients' complaints included postoperative penile shortening in 60 (30%) cases and poor glandular engorgement in 40 (20%) cases. Partners' main complaint was unnaturalness of the prosthetic erection, a factor reported by 30 (25%) subjects. Complications requiring surgical exploration included infection in 12 patients (6%) and mechanical failure in 8 patients (4%). Kaplan-Meier estimates demonstrated significantly decreased mechanical survival for the Ultrex type of cylinders compared to the CX type of cylinders. CONCLUSIONS: AMS three-piece inflatable implants provide an overall patient and partner satisfaction rate of 92 and 96%, respectively. However, postoperative penile shortening and poor glandular engorgement were the causes of some complaints among the patient population as well as the unnaturalness of prosthetic erection among female partners. In the long-term, mechanically speaking, CX cylinders seem to be more reliable than the Ultrex ones.     

Endocrine evaluation and therapy of erectile dysfunction

Recent innovative laboratory and clinical investigations have implicated an organic cause for as many as 30 to 50 per cent of cases of impotence. Understanding the clinical subtleties of hypogonadism and the reproductive hormonal axis in the male is critical to the evaluation and treatment of impotence of endocrinologic origin. Gonadotropin assays are essential for detecting elevations of FSH and LH, which will help to distinguish primary from secondary testicular failure. The goal of androgen replacement is the maintenance of physiologic testosterone levels without the potential hepatotoxic effects.     

Assessment of erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients

Erectile dysfunction (ED) aetiology is multifactorial, including endocrine, neurological, vascular, systemic disease, local penile disorders, nutrition, psychogenic factors, and drug-related. This study was performed to compare the relevant comprehensive biochemical parameters as well as the clinical characteristics in diabetic ED and healthy control subjects and to assess the occurrence of penile neuropathy in diabetic patients and thus the relationship between ED and diabetes. A total of 56 patients accepted to undergo assessment for penile vasculature using intracavernosal injection and colour Doppler ultrasonography. Of the 56 diabetic patients, 38 patients were found with normal blood flow and thus they were considered as the diabetic-ED group, whereas, ED diabetic patients with an arteriogenic component were excluded. These patients with an age range between 17 and 58 years, complaining of ED, with duration of diabetic illness ranging from 2 to 15 years. The Control group comprised of 30 healthy subject aged between 19 and 55 years. Peripheral venous levels of testosterone, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), malondialdehyde and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1)c) were obtained in all subjects. Valsalva manoeuvre and neurophysiological tests were also determined. Testosterone, prolactine, FSH, LH, and TSH hormones of the diabetic patients were not significantly different from those of the control group. Diabetic patients with ED have higher HbA(1)c and oxidative stress levels while the R-R ratio was significantly decreased. Bulbocavernosus reflex latency was significantly prolonged, whereas its amplitude, the conduction velocity and amplitude of dorsal nerve of penis were significantly reduced in the diabetic patients. We concluded that although ED is a multifactorial disorder, yet, the present study revealed that in ED patients without arteriogenic ED a neurogenic component is present. Furthermore, the complex effect of the Valsalva manoeuvre on cardiovascular function is the basis of its usefulness as a measure of autonomic function. Thus, it can be of value in the diagnosis of ED although these hypotheses require follow-up in a large study cohort.     

Multidisciplinary evaluation in erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy is associated with a postoperative impotence rate of 90%, a sequel that is the least acceptable to the patient. The use of the nerve-sparing procedure according to Walsh (1) with 70% restoration of sexual power postoperatively is limited considering the prevalence of periprostatic tumour invasion. A method is described which satisfies the demand for both a radical surgical procedure and postoperative restoration of sexual power.     

Characteristics of erectile dysfunction in Saudi patients

We investigated the characteristics of erectile dysfunction (ED) in ambulatory Saudi patients. A total of 680 male patients were assessed for ED using IIEF. Patients were also interviewed for sociodemographic data, medical history and risk factors for ED. Assessment for penile vasculature using color Doppler ultrasonography and rigidometer was performed. In all, 21.4% of the patients with severe ED were <50 y and 78.6% of them were > or =50 y (P<0.001). Of the patients, 20% had psychogenic, while 80% had organic causes of ED. Of the patients, 10% had mild, 39.3% had moderate and 50.7% had severe ED. There was a significant association between increasing severity of ED and the presence of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, increased BMI, increased values of EDV, decreased values of PSV, RI and rigidometer (P<0.001 for each). Moderate to severe ED is common among Saudi patients. This study provides a quantitative estimate of the characteristics of ED in ambulatory Saudi patients.     

Doppler evaluation of erectile dysfunction - part 1

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the consistent inability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. Erectile dysfunction affects as many as 30 million men in America, with an increasing prevalence with age. Erectile dysfunction is secondary to organic, psychogenic and combined causes. The first part of this review article describes the guidelines for evaluation and treatment plans for men with ED. It also describes the normal sonographic anatomy of the penis, sonographic technique for evaluation of ED and the normal phases of erection.     

Neurogenic etiology in patients with erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVES: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a disorder with a high prevalence that increases with age. It is estimated that 18.9% of men's between 25 and 70 years suffer it in Spain. Most cases have a multifactorial origin and it is admitted the influence on its pathogenesis of systemic diseases, different kind of drugs, psychogenic factors, cardiovascular, endocrinological and neurological diseases. Neurologic cause erectile dysfunction may have its origin in the central or peripheral nervous system. Among possible process of neurogenic erectile dysfunction of central origin would be tumors, cerebral vascular accidents, encephalitis, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis and other demyelinization diseases, dementias, olivopontocerebellar degeneration and epilepsy. Myelopathies of any etiology may be, depending on their localization and extension, cause of erectile dysfunction. At the peripheral level, disorders of the sensitive tracts constituting the afferent limb of the erection spinal reflex, and the efferent vegetative or somatic tracts mediating arterial vasodilatation, cavernous smooth muscle relaxation or pelvic floor striated muscle contraction. The aim of this work is to review in detail the most relevant causes of neurogenic erectile dysfunction, their etiopathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic approaches currently considered more adequate for each particular case. CONCLUSIONS: The correct diagnostic approach to patients with erectile dysfunction passes through identification, if possible, of the etiopathogenic factors implied. Regarding this, detection and identification of a possible neurogenic risk factor will contribute to a better understanding of the physiopathologic mechanisms, and more adequate diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic approaches, mainly in those patients refractory to first line therapy.     

Paraoxonase activity in patients with erectile dysfunction

Paraoxonase (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme that protects low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL from peroxidation. In this study, PON1 activities were determined in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) to investigate the relationship between ED and atherosclerosis. Forty patients, who had been diagnosed with ED by the medical and sexual anamnesis and routine laboratory tests, were included in the study. Thirty healthy, sexually active, married and age-matched men were selected as the control group. The patients and controls who underwent surgical or medical treatment in 1-week time and had a systemic disease such as malignancy, liver and renal insufficiency, and active infection and who smoked cigarettes were excluded. PON1 activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Unpaired samples t-test, correlation analyses and multiple linear regression analyses were used for statistical analyses. The results are given as mean+/-standard deviation of mean. The mean ages of the patient and the control groups were 31.05+/-6.90 (range 22-51) and 29.40+/-6.26 (range 19-46), respectively (P=0.307). Serum PON1 levels of the patient and the control groups were found to be 119.05+/-62.11 and 185.04+/-55.64, respectively. The difference between the groups was quite significant (P=0.001). Epidemiological and experimental studies indicate that PON1 activation was lower in individuals who had a tendency to develop atherosclerosis due to comorbidities such as diabetes, familial hypercholesterolemia and kidney disease. In this study, PON1 activity level was found to be significantly lower in ED patients than in control group. The decrease of PON1 activity may have a role in the ethiopathogenesis of ED, and the atherosclerosis development may be faster in the patients due to decreased activity of PON1, which is an antiatherogenic enzyme.     

Physician-patient dialogue and clinical evaluation of erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction affects 31% to 52% of all men. Although considerable advances have been made in the diagnosis and management of erectile dysfunction, the inadequate knowledge of erectile dysfunction by health care providers still precludes them from initiating candid discussions with their patients. This article provides the health care professional with the ability to establish comfortable doctor-patient dialogue and to clinically evaluate erectile dysfunction in a goal-directed manner. The goal of evaluation is to find the appropriate treatment for the individual, dictated primarily by factors like the patients' preferences, comfort, cost, and the availability of treatment modalities.     

Doppler evaluation of erectile dysfunction - part 2

Doppler evaluation in erectile dysfunction (ED) has a significant role in determining the cause of ED. The advantages of penile Doppler and pharmacologic duplex ultrasonography include objective, minimally invasive evaluation of penile hemodynamics at a relatively low cost. Arteriogenic ED may be secondary to peripheral vascular disease and diabetes, or may be seen in association with coronary artery disease. Various parameters, such as diameter of the cavernosal artery, peak systolic flow velocity, degree of arterial dilatation and acceleration time, have been suggested for the diagnosis of arteriogenic ED, but peak systolic flow velocity is the most accurate indicator of arterial disease. This second part of the review article describes the various causes of ED and the interpretation and evaluation of color flow Doppler examination in ED.     

男子勃起功能障碍病人阴茎微循环检测

检测26例勃起功能障碍（ED）病人的阴茎微循环，与17例健康志愿者进行比较，器质性ED病人阴茎头微血管密度为271±5．2，健康者为47．8±6．2（P＜0．01）；异常微血管百分率则分别为32．1±3．4与12．8±1．3（P＜0．01）；心理性ED病人该两项指标与对照组相比没有统计学差异（血管密度47．2±6.8vs47．8±6．2．P＞0．05；异常血管百分率13．1±1．1vs12．8±1．3．P＞0．05）。以上结果揭示，阴茎头微循环障碍与ED病人的器质性改变有关，可用于器质性ED的辅助诊断。     

阴茎微循环检测在阳痿诊断中的价值

目的：探讨阴茎头微循环检测在阳痿诊断中的意义。方法：检测２２例勃起功能障碍病人的阴茎微循环,与１７例健康志愿者进行比较。结果：血管性阳痿病人阴茎头微血管密度（２６．８±６．３ｖｓ４７．８±６．２,Ｐ＜０．０１）和异常微血管百分率（３３．２±３．６ｖｓ１２．８±１．３,Ｐ＜０．０１）与对照组相比有显著性差异;心理性阳痿病人的两项指标（微血管密度４７．２±６．８ｖｓ４７．８±６．２,Ｐ＞０．０５;异常微血管百分率１３．１±１．１ｖｓ１２．８±１．３,Ｐ＞０．０５）与对照组相比没有统计学差异。结论：阴茎头微循环障碍与阳痿病人的器质性改变有关,阴茎头微循环检测可用于血管性阳痿的辅助诊断。     

阴茎勃起障碍患者对西地那非用药依从性的研究

目的了解阴茎勃起功能障碍(ED)患者对西地那非用药的依从性以及健康教育对依从性的影响。方法216例ED患者随机分为健康教育联合药物组(甲组)和药物组(乙组),疗程2月。分别对治疗前、治疗期间、治疗后的依从性进行评价。结果216例患者中,117例(54.2%)愿意接受西地那非治疗,甲组的接受率显著高于乙组(69.6%:36.6%;P<0.001)。这117例在治疗期间的依从率为57.3%,两组比较有显著性差异(66.3%:37.8%;P<0.001)。治疗2月后,31.6%的患者表示愿意继续接受西地那非治疗,甲组的接受率显著高于乙组(37.5%:18.9%;P<0.05)。认为疗效不理想、担心药物的不良反应和经济原因是影响依从性的主要因素。结论ED患者对西地那非治疗的依从性差,健康教育有助于改善依从性。     

Original evaluation of endothelial dysfunction in men with erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome

We have recently demonstrated the diagnostic value of a new immunophenotype of blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs=CD45neg/CD34pos/CD144pos) and endothelial microparticles (EMPs=CD45neg/CD144pos/AnnexinVpos) in patients with arterial erectile dysfunction (ED) according to severity of cavernous arterial insufficiency evaluated through penile Doppler. The aim of this study was to evaluate both EPCs and EMPs in patients with arterial ED and metabolic syndrome (MetS), comparing these patients with another group of patients without MetS and ED and a third group with MetS but without ED. For this study 50 patients with arterial ED and MetS were selected (age: 55.0±3.0 years; range: 47-60). A group of age-matched (age: 54.0±2.0 years; range: 44-60) patients without arterial ED and MetS (n=30), and another group of age-matched (age: 57.0±4.0 years; range: 40-62) patients with MetS but without ED (n=20) represented the control groups. EPCs and EMPs were significantly higher in patients compared with other groups (P<0.01). Both EPCs and EMPs correlated positively with the age, body mass index, and score of international index of ED (version five items) and with the following cavernous artery indices: peak systolic velocity, acceleration time and intima-media thickness. Among control groups patients with MetS but without ED showed serum concentrations of EPCs and EMPs significantly higher (P<0.05) compared with patients without MetS and ED. Patients with arterial ED and MetS have higher EPCs and EMPs compared with patients with MetS but without ED and patients without MetS and ED.