Patients' Satisfaction and Quality of Sex Life in Patients Undergoing Long-term Intracavernous Injections with Trimix

Chung, Jin Woo; Lee, Sung Won

Abstract

PURPOSE: Intracaverous injections (ICI) are the standard treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) when oral phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5I) fail or are contraindicated. However, many patients are wary of ICI because of aversion to the injection. We assessed patients' satisfaction and the quality of the sex life in patients undergoing long-term ICI with trimix.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred five patients with ED who had used ICI with trimix for at least 6 months were enrolled in the study. We investigated the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (EDITS), quality of sex life, and pain on injection and erection. The EDITS questions were scored on a 0 to 4-point scale and the mean scores were multiplied by 25 to normalize the scores to a 100-point scale and to create the EDITS index. A total score > 50 was defined as "satisfied with treatment" and a score of < 50 was defined as "not satisfied with treatment."
RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 70+/-8.2 years, the mean duration of ED was 6.4+/-3.3 years, and the mean duration of ICI treatment was 50.3+/-32.6 months. Of the 105 patients, 48.5% had received PDE5I treatment prior to ICI treatment. Among the 51 patients who had received PDE5I, 72.5% (37/51) and 19.6% (10/51) discontinued PDE5I due to inefficacy and side effects, respectively. Four patients used PDE5I in combination with ICI. The mean number of injections was 2.99+/-1.26 per month and the mean dose of trimix was 0.33+/-0.14 ml per injection. The mean EDITS index was 73.7+/-14.5, and 93% of the patients were classified in the satisfaction group according to the EDITS index criteria. Patients noted an improvement in their sex life (78.1%), their relationship with their partner (68.6%), and their quality of life (65.7%) after using ICI with trimix; 92.3% of patients responded that they were ready to recommend ICI with trimix to their friends. The mean scores for pain on injection and erection were 1.04/10 and 0.98/10, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
In spite of long-term treatment, ICI with trimix met the expectations of patients. ICI with trimix is revealed as easy, effective, and tolerable treatment. ICI with trimix should be positively recommended when PDE5I fails or is contraindicated.