In the March issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine, researchers have published the first investigation examining both equivalence testing and traditional statistical testing for men with ED regarding changes in sexual function, sexual self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall relationship satisfaction. Through administration both before and after taking sildenafil (Viagra) of the Self-Esteem And Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, a multi-dimensional, psychometrically validated questionnaire, the research concluded that men with ED using sildenafil revealed normalization of their relationships, confidence, and self-esteem when compared to men without ED.
The article entitled: "Comparison Between Sildenafil-Treated Subjects with Erectile Dysfunction and Control Subjects on the Self-Esteem And Relationship Questionnaire" published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, involved 93 men with ED in stable relationships, using sildenafil as needed for 10 weeks. These patients were compared with a control group of 94 male volunteers with no history of ED also in a stable relationships, a novel study design.
To enhance interpretation and meaning of the health-related quality of life scores, SEAR data were compared between subjects with ED and control men without ED. Average score values between the ED group and the no-ED control group were evaluated in terms of not only statistical testing but also equivalence testing. The purpose of a traditional statistical test is to determine whether mean scores of two groups differ beyond chance, whereas the purpose of equivalence testing is to determine whether mean scores of two groups are sufficiently near each other to be considered equivalent.
The researchers concluded that mean SEAR scores between subjects with ED at baseline and control subjects without ED were statistically different from zero and not statistically equivalent. Conversely, mean Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire scores between ED subjects after treatment and control subjects were statistically equivalent and not statistically different from zero.
Dr. Joseph C. Cappelleri, a director and statistical scientist in Global Research and Development at Pfizer Inc in Groton, CT, and lead author of the paper, stated that "this research indicates that men with erectile dysfunction before treatment with sildenafil have sexual relationship satisfaction, confidence, self-esteem, and overall relationship satisfaction that are much less than men with normal erectile function. This investigation is the first to report that men with erectile dysfunction who are later given treatment with sildenafil are equivalent to men with normal erectile function in terms of sexual relationship satisfaction, confidence, self-esteem, and overall relationship satisfaction. Hence, the data suggest that sildenafil is associated with normalization of relationship satisfaction, confidence, and self-esteem."
Dr. Stan Althof, Professor of Psychology at Case School of Medicine, Executive Director of the Center for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida, and co-author of the manuscript commented, "This study adds to the growing body of literature regarding the importance of the psychosocial consequences of ED and the positive impact that effective treatment has on these salient issues. The restoration of sexual self-confidence is arguably the most important psychological variable in the successful treatment of ED."
"Although this is probably a class effect, the data are very important because there has recently been a suggestion that PDE5 inhibitors are life-style drugs that offer society little benefit" said Dr. Irwin Goldstein, Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine. "In fact, PDE5 inhibitors are life-quality medications that result not only in physical improvement but also in psychological improvement in men's lives."
This study was funded by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and the manuscript is published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Drs. Cappelleri, Althof, and Goldstein are available for questions and interviews. To arrange for a telephone interview, or if you are a member of the media and would like a PDF of the full article please contact medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net or 781-388-8507.
About the Journal
The Journal of Sexual Medicine publishes multidisciplinary basic science and clinical research to define and understand the scientific basis of male and female sexual function and dysfunction. As the official journal of the International Society for Sexual Medicine, it provides healthcare professionals in sexual medicine with essential educational content and promotes the exchange of scientific information generated from basic science and clinical research.
About The International Society for Sexual Medicine
The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) was founded in 1982 for the purpose of promoting, throughout the international scientific community, research and knowledge in sexual medicine, considered as the subspeciality area of medicine that embraces the study, diagnosis and treatment of the sexual health concerns of men and women. The society has over 3000 members worldwide, with five regional societies that are affiliated with ISSM: the Africa Gulf Society for Sexual Medicine, Asia Pacific Society for Sexual Medicine, European Society for Sexual Medicine, Latin American Society for Sexual Medicine, and Sexual Medicine Society of North America.
About Blackwell Publishing
Blackwell Publishing is the world's leading society publisher, partnering with more than 665 academic, medical, and professional societies. Blackwell publishes over 800 journals and, to date, has published close to 6,000 text and reference books, across a wide range of academic, medical, and professional subjects.
Journal
The Journal of Sexual Medicine