Erectile dysfunction in essential arterial hypertension and effects of sildenafil: results of a Spanish national study.

Background: The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in hypertensive patients in specialized care hypertension units (SCHUs) and to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of sildenafil treatment.

Methods: This was a multicenter, prospective, open, observational pharmacoepidemiology study conducted in 25 Spanish SCHUs. A total of 2130 men with essential hypertension under treatment were recruited. In a second phase, 291 subjects with a score < or = 21 in the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) received sildenafil (50 mg/day) as required 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity, and were evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).

Results: A total of 975 subjects (45.8%) had a score < or = 21 in the SHIM. In the second phase, sildenafil improved the score in the erectile function domain in 232 patients (83.2%). Severity of ED significantly improved (P <.001); severe (22.3% to 7.7%), moderate (23% to 5.6%), and mild impairment (36.3% to 44.8%). The IIEF was normalized in 39.1% of patients who completed post-treatment IIEF. In all, 33 subjects (11.8%) failed to complete the study: two (0.7%) because of lack of efficacy, two (0.7%) intercurrent disease, 10 (3.6%) failure to return to the visits, three (1.1%) fear of therapy, four (1.4%) adverse effects requiring treatment discontinuation, and 12 (4.3%) protocol violations. No statistically significant association was found between the prevalence of adverse effects and antihypertensive treatment with single drug or combination therapy.

Conclusions: A high incidence of ED was found in hypertensive patients from Spanish SCHUs. Sildenafil showed an excellent response and safety profile.