The Treatment Satisfaction in Patients and Their Partners Treated with Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Sildenafil: A Prospective Non-Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUND: Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) and other more invasive options merely provide symptomatic relief rather than a permanent improvement in erectile dysfunction (ED), whereas the long-term improvement in ED via low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) has been confirmed. So far, no comparative study of sildenafil versus Li-ESWT has been conducted with respect to treatment satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to compare erectile function status and satisfaction rates in patients who received sildenafil or Li-ESWT for ED. METHODS: Patients complaining of ED were considered candidates. Participants chose to enter one of two active treatment groups according to their treatment intention—either a 9-week Li-ESWT regimen or 100 mg on-demand sildenafil. The erectile function was evaluated using the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaires (IIEF-EF), while the treatment satisfaction was evaluated using the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction questionnaires (EDITS). RESULTS: We enrolled 72 participants in the study (42 in the Li-ESWT group and 30 in the sildenafil group). Patients in both groups were young men. Four weeks after the last session, the IIEF-EF score for Li-ESWT and sildenafil was 16.3± 5.5 and 18.3± 6.5 (P > 0.05), respectively. The total EDITS index of the patient version and the partner version were similar in the two groups. Among EDITS questions measuring overall satisfaction and efficacy duration, the score was higher in the Li-ESWT group. CONCLUSION: We found that Li-ESWT may have better satisfaction than on-demand sildenafil for young ED patients. However, further studies are needed to determine the factors influencing satisfaction.