Effects of 12-month tadalafil therapy for erectile dysfunction on couple relationships: results from the DETECT study.

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is distressing and can affect a couple's relationship. AIM: To investigate partner awareness of ED, relationship problems, and the effects of tadalafil treatment over 12 months. METHODS: The Determinants of Continued Use of Tadalafil study is a prospective 12-month European observational study in patients with ED initiating or changing treatment to on-demand tadalafil. A total of 1,900 patients were enrolled in eight countries. Assessments were made on predefined treatment outcomes in a routine clinical setting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At baseline, 1, 6, and 12 months, patients were asked about relationship problems (unspecified), partner awareness and support of consultation, and partner sexual problems. Data were analyzed for patients continuing tadalafil at 12 months. RESULTS: At baseline, 96% of patients had a partner, 80% of partners supported an ED consult, and 73% were aware of the consultation. Relationship problems were reported by 17% of patients at baseline. At 12 months, 84% of patients were still taking tadalafil. Of these, 19% reported relationship problems at baseline. After 12 months of treatment with tadalafil, 4% of patients still reported perceived problems. Factors associated with no relationship problems at 12 months were: at baseline, no previous ED treatment, partner in poor health; and at 12 months a lower ED severity. If the partner was felt to have a sexual problem at 12 months, relationship improvement was less likely. Further, 3% of patients developed relationship problems during treatment. Factors associated with developing a relationship problem were: a history of pelvic surgery at baseline, a different partner at 12 months than at baseline, and a partner with a sexual problem at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement of ED with tadalafil was associated with reduced relationship problems, suggesting that problems were associated with ED and resolved with treatment.

Therapeutic response after first month of tadalafil treatment predicts 12 months treatment continuation in patients with erectile dysfunction: results from the DETECT study.

INTRODUCTION: The DETECT study is a prospective, 12-month, European, multicenter, observational study of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) initiating or changing treatment to tadalafil in routine clinical practice. AIM: To determine the effectiveness of tadalafil and the factors associated with the continuation of treatment for ED at 12 months. METHODS: The DETECT study included 1,900 men aged 18 years and older with a history of ED and who were initiating or changing treatment to tadalafil. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sexual function at baseline, 1, 6, and 12 months was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-erectile function (IIEF-EF) domain. Factors associated with treatment continuation at 12 months were evaluated using multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: At 12 months, 1,319 (84%) of 1,567 patients who completed the questionnaire reported continued use of tadalafil. Among these patients, tadalafil was highly effective: 94%, 95%, and 71% with severe, moderate, and mild ED at baseline, respectively, improved by at least one IIEF-EF category and 65% had normal EF. Five factors were associated with tadalafil continuation at 12 months: (i) ED severity at 1 month (based on IIEF-EF domain score); (ii) tolerance to treatment at 1 month; (iii) age younger than 60 years; (iv) number of sexual attempts in the first month; and (v) no history of pelvic surgery. Patient and partner factors at baseline were not significantly associated with continued tadalafil use. CONCLUSIONS: Tadalafil is an effective treatment for ED in routine clinical practice. The therapeutic response and treatment tolerance after 1-month treatment are the most important factors influencing tadalafil continuation.