Is extracorporeal shock wave therapy more effective in younger patients in the treatment of mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction? A prospective controlled study.

INTRODUCTION

The influence of patient age on treatment outcomes of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy according to the patient's age.

METHODS

Patients with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (ED, International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF] score 11-25) who were not receiving any medical or intracavernosal therapy were prospectively included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 age groups: <50 years and ≥ 50 years. All patients underwent the same ESWT protocol. No additional treatments were given to patients during the ESWT period or during follow-up. International Index of Erectile Function and erection hardness score (EHS) were recorded at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months. The effectiveness of ESWT was compared between the groups.

RESULTS

A total of 52 individuals were included in the study, with a mean age of 49.6 ± 13.6 years. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline IIEF scores and EHSs between the 2 groups (P > .05). In the < 50 years group, the IIEF scores at 1, 3, and 6 months post-ESWT were 21.9, 22.1, and 21.9, respectively. In the ≥ 50 years group, the corresponding scores were 13.3, 17.6, and 19, respectively. At 1, 3, and 6 months after ESWT, the IIEF scores of the group aged ≥ 50 years were significantly lower than that of the group aged < 50 years (P < .05). Erection hardness scores increased in both groups at 1, 3, and 6 months after ESWT; however, the magnitude of this increase was similar between the groups (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicate that ESWT demonstrates higher clinical success rates in the younger patient group with mild-to-moderate ED compared with the older patient group. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy may be considered an effective and sufficient standalone treatment option in young patients with ED.