Low intensity shock wave therapy for erectile dysfunction: 6 months followup results

Introduction . Low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a novel promising method of treatment for men with erectile dysfunction (ED). The efficacy of ESWT is not clearly determined and need further investigation. Aim of the study : To investigate 6 months followup efficacy and safety results from ESWT trial in patients with ED. Patients and methods . This open-label, longitudinal observational study investigated 6 months followup results in 19 men (mean age = 59.5 years) with organic ED (including 6 (32%) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 6 (32%) patients after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy) treated with 5-session weekly ESWT protocol using DornierAries delivery system (7500 shock waves, 1500 each session, 4 Hz). Information about adverse events was recorded. Effectiveness was assessed according to the International Index of Erectile Function and Sexual Health Inventory for Men after the 5th ESWT session and also in 1, 3 and 6 months. Results . No patient reported treatment-related adverse events. In 12 (63%), 11 (57%), 11 (57%) and 9 (47%) patients IIEF increased after the 5th ESWT session (also in 2 (33%) men with ED caused by radical prostatectomy), and in 1, 3, 6 months after treatment respectively, so the mean IIEF score in the group has become higher (p = 0.003, p = 0.050, p = 0.022, р > 0.1 respectively) as well as the IIEF general satisfaction domain score (p = 0.006 и p = 0.014, р = 0.011 и p = 0.028, respectively). Mean SHIM score growth was significantly higher after the 5th ESWT session only (р = 0.020), also in patients with diabetic ED (р = 0.041). Individual variability of both IIEF and SHIM scores after treatment was high, with IIEF lower in patients with advanced age (р = 0.015). Conclusions . In 6 months followup ESWT was safe in all and effective in many patients with ED. High individual variability of treatment efficacy needs further evaluation.