Real-world data confirm the efficacy of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave treatment (LI-ESWT) in treating vascular erectile dysfunction, investigators reported at the 38th Annual Congress of the European Association of Urology (EAU23) in Milan, Italy.

Antonio Pedro Fernandes Carvalho, MD, of Trofa Saude Hospitals in Braga, Portugal, and colleagues retrospectively studied 171 men with erectile dysfunction who underwent LI-ESWT. Patients had a median age of 61 years. Hypertension and dyslipidemia were present in 56.1% and 53.8% of patients. In addition, 69% were on concomitant phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor therapy.

Of the 171 men, 136 (79.5%) had 5 treatment sessions, 28 (16.4%) had 10 sessions, and 7 (4.1%) had more than 10 sessions.

The investigators observed a significant increase in median score on the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) tool from 10.0 to 13.0, with 77.9% of men reporting overall improvement in their erections.

On multivariable analysis of the pre- and post-treatment SHIM score difference, Dr Fernandes Carvalho and colleagues found that the 10 vs 5 treatment sessions was a positive predictor of outcomes, whereas previous radical prostatectomy was a negative predictor.

Reference

Fernandes Carvalho AP, Santos P, Correia G, Pacheco-Figueiredo L. Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave treatment (LI-ESWT) efficacy treating a cohort of real-life patients with erectile dysfunction. Presented at: EAU23, Milan, Italy, March 10-13. Abstract A1251.