Evidence Hub

Digital Real-world Data Suggest Patient Preference for Tadalafil over Sildenafil in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction

M. von Büren, S. Rodler, Isabell Wiesenhütter, Florian Schröder, A. Buchner, C. Stief, C. Gratzke, C. Wülfing et al.

European Urology Focus, 2021

26 participants · 20 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a major care problem worldwide. Tadalafil and sildenafil are the two most common phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5is) used to treat ED.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate patient data of a large online prescription platform (OPP), specifically analyzing preference for tadalafil over sildenafil.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Data from a prospectively collected German OPP were retrospectively analyzed. This dataset included patients with a history of taking one or both substances (n = 26 821).

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

ED patient baseline characteristics were derived from medical questionnaires for PDE5i prescriptions between May 2019 and May 2020. Order behavior was analyzed in patients who ordered both substances over time. We applied Kruskal-Wallis tests, χ² tests, and fisher's exact tests for statistical analysis.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Baseline characteristics were comparable for both PDE5is in patients with a median age of 49 yr (sildenafil [interquartile range {IQR} 38-57]; tadalafil [IQR 39-56]), a median body mass index (BMI) of 26 kg/m² (sildenafil [IQR 24.54-29.03]; tadalafil [IQR 24.49-28.69]), ED onset time of >12 mo (sildenafil [87%]; tadalafil [88%]), and the presence of morning erections (sildenafil [62%]; tadalafil [61%]). Tadalafil prescriptions increased significantly from 30% (first order) to 80% (last order) in patients who had already tested both drugs. Patients with age ≤40 yr, BMI…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 26 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free