[Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in diagnosis and long-term therapy of erectile dysfunction]. / Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in der Diagnostik und Langzeittherapie der erektilen Dysfunktion.

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.