Medical Treatment of Peyronie's Disease

Ryu, Rak Ho; Choi, Young Deuk; Choi, Hyung Ki

Abstract

PURPOSE: Peyronie's disease is characterized by the presence of one or more fibrous plaques in the tunica albuginea or intercavernous septum, that is a slowly evolving disease which may cause a bending of the penis as well as pain during erection. Despite its self-limiting nature in many patients, a few patients will eventually require therapies if deformity or impotence is severe and conservative cares have failed. Currently numerous surgical and non-surgical therapies have been used for Peyronie`s disease. In this study we evaluated the effectiveness of oral medication in the treatment of Peyronie`s disease.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analyzed retrospectively 123 patients with Peyronie`s disease treated with oral medication in the period of 1991-1997. 20 patients were observed without medication. 23 patients were treated with oral prednisolone, 22 patients with oral vitamin E, 40 patients with oral prednisolone and vitamin E, and 18 patients with potassium p-aminobenzoate(Potaba).
RESULTS
Age distribution of patients was 23-84 years(mean: 51.4 years). Chief complaints were curvature of the penis during erection for 82% of the patients, painful erection for 66%, and problems with sexual intercourse for 34%. Average size of the plaques was 6.25cm2. The average duration of symptoms was 12.5 months. With prednisolone, curvature of penis during erection, plaques and painful erection were improved 55.6%, 57.1% and 86.7% respectively. With vitamin E, clinical results were reported 65.0%, 66.7% and 73.3% and with prednisolone and vitamin E 70.9%, 79.5% and 78.6% and with Potaba 81.3%, 82.4% and 90.9%. No patients with sexual dysfunction experienced improved sexual function. No serious side effects were observed in any of our patients.
CONCLUSIONS
With these results, it can be concluded that the distressing symptoms of Peyronie`s disease can be treated with oral agents. Oral medication therapy may be a safe, noninvasive therapeutic alternative treatment method in patients with Peyronie`s disease but further studies were need to evaluate the effectiveness compared with intralesional injection therapy or surgery for Peyronie`s disease.