Abstract
PURPOSE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is often accompanied by age-related comorbidity, such as erectile dysfunction (ED). Recent data suggest an association between ED and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and increasing evidence indicates that the clinical use of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors provides relief from LUTS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of tadalafil (20 mg once every 3 days for 12 weeks, p.o.) in men with moderate-to-severe ED and LUTS and to investigate the duration of the effects of tadalafil beyond treatment cessation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men with an International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score of less than 11 (representing "moderate-to-severe" ED status) and with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of more than 8 (representing "moderate-to-severe" LUTS status) were enrolled. IPSS (total score, storage subscore, and voiding subscore) and IIEF-5 scores before treatment (baseline), during treatment (weeks 4 and 12 after treatment commencement), and after treatment (weeks 16 and 20after treatment commencement) were compared. RESULTS: IPSS and IIEF-5 scores were significantly different between baseline and week 12 after treatment commencement. Furthermore, these scores were significantly different between baseline and week 20 after treatment commencement. However, except for IIEF-5 scores, no significant differences were observed between week 12 and week 20. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with 20 mg tadalafil (once every 3 days) had beneficial effects on LUTS and ED beyond treatment cessation in patients with moderate-to-severe ED and LUTS.