Objective: In this study, we evaluated the rate of use of phos-phodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor without physician recommenda-tion and the faults of using medication in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).
Materials and methods: A total of 310 patients with ED were evaluated. The patients were divided into subgroups according to age and education level. In all groups, the rate of use of PDE5 in-hibitor without physician recommendation and the rate of use of PDE5 inhibitor together with nitrate and alpha-blocker were deter-mined. The rates between the groups were compared statistically by package program (MedCalc Software v11.5.1).
Results: The age of the patients ranged between 38-73 (57.4 ± 7.9). The rate of use of PDE5 inhibitor without physician recommenda-tion was 26.4% (82/310) in general, 20.7% (45/217) in primary school graduates, 39.7% (37/93) in high school/university graduates, 31.1% in below 60 years of age ( 57/183) and 19.6% in over 60 years of age (25/127). The rate of use of PDE5 inhibitor was significantly higher in high school/university graduates (p = 0.002). But, there was no sig-nificant difference in age-related groups (p = 0.053). The use of PDE5 inhibitor together with nitrate and alpha-blocker was 2.9% and 3.5%, respectively. These rates were significantly higher in high school/uni-versity graduates (p = 0.016, p = 0.014). However, there were no sig-nificant difference between age-related groups (p = 0.832, P = 0359).
Conclusion: The rate of use of PDE5 inhibitor without physician recommendation was found significantly high in patients with ED. In addition, these patients have significant faults in medication use.
Keywords: Erectile dysfunction, PDE5 inhibitor, contraindication
Abstract
Objective: In this study, we evaluated the rate of use of phos-phodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor without physician recommenda-tion and the faults of using medication in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).
Materials and methods: A total of 310 patients with ED were evaluated. The patients were divided into subgroups according to age and education level. In all groups, the rate of use of PDE5 in-hibitor without physician recommendation and the rate of use of PDE5 inhibitor together with nitrate and alpha-blocker were deter-mined. The rates between the groups were compared statistically by package program (MedCalc Software v11.5.1).
Results: The age of the patients ranged between 38-73 (57.4 ± 7.9). The rate of use of PDE5 inhibitor without physician recommenda-tion was 26.4% (82/310) in general, 20.7% (45/217) in primary school graduates, 39.7% (37/93) in high school/university graduates, 31.1% in below 60 years of age ( 57/183) and 19.6% in over 60 years of age (25/127). The rate of use of PDE5 inhibitor was significantly higher in high school/university graduates (p = 0.002). But, there was no sig-nificant difference in age-related groups (p = 0.053). The use of PDE5 inhibitor together with nitrate and alpha-blocker was 2.9% and 3.5%, respectively. These rates were significantly higher in high school/uni-versity graduates (p = 0.016, p = 0.014). However, there were no sig-nificant difference between age-related groups (p = 0.832, P = 0359).
Conclusion: The rate of use of PDE5 inhibitor without physician recommendation was found significantly high in patients with ED. In addition, these patients have significant faults in medication use.
Keywords: Erectile dysfunction, PDE5 inhibitor, contraindication