pregabalin and Erectile-Dysfunction

The pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction (ED) may be vasculogenic, hormonal, anatomical, neurogenic, drug-induced and/or psychogenic in origin. Neuropathic pain (NP) may facilitate ED, because it is frequently associated with anxiety, depression, and its drug, pregabalin, may also contribute ED.. The objective of this study was to determine whether pregabalin treatment for patients with neuropathic pain promotes erectile dysfunction.. The study sample consisted of a total of 102 male subjects that were subdivided into three groups. Group 1 patients (n = 31) had a pre-existing diagnosis of NP and was treated with 300 mg/day of pregabalin for at least 3 months. Group 2 patients (n = 34) were diagnosed with NP for at least 3 months; however, neither were they treated with pregabalin nor did they received physical therapy throughout the study. Lastly, healthy age-matched control subjects comprised group 3 (n = 37).. Patients in all groups completed the International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire.. Mean age and mean body mass index did not differ significantly between each of the three groups. The cause of NP and the mean duration of having a diagnosis of NP did not differ significantly in groups 1 and 2. However, IIEF scores were significantly lower for group 1 when compared to group 2 in terms of erectile function, orgasmic function, overall satisfaction and total score. Yet groups 1 and 2 did not diverge significantly in the intercourse satisfaction and sexual desire scores. Overall IIEF scores for group 3 were significantly higher than those of group 2 except for mean erectile function scores.. Taking pregabalin for the treatment of neuropathic pain poses an increased risk for developing ED in male patients. Thus, clinicians prescribing pregabalin to patients diagnosed with neuropathic pain should assess for ED before and during treatment with this medication.

Topics: Adult; Analgesics; Coitus; Depression; Erectile Dysfunction; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Humans; Libido; Male; Neuralgia; Patient Satisfaction; Pregabalin; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome

A patient-reported outcome is any report on the status of a patient's health condition that comes directly from the patient. Clear and meaningful interpretation of patient-reported outcome scores are fundamental to their use as they can be valuable in designing studies, evaluating interventions, educating consumers, and informing health policy makers involved with regulatory, reimbursement, and advisory agencies. Interpretation of patient-reported outcome scores, however, is often not well understood because of insufficient data or lack of experience or clinical understanding to draw from. This article provides an update review on two broad approaches--anchor-based and distributed-based--aimed at enhancing the understanding and meaning of patient-reported outcome scores. Anchor-based approaches include percentages based on thresholds, criterion-group interpretation, content-based interpretation, and clinical important difference. Distributed-based approaches include effect size, probability of relative benefit, and responder analysis and cumulative proportions. A third strategy called mediation analysis, which can elucidate a health condition measured by a patient-reported outcome in the context of an intervention's mechanism of action, is also highlighted and illustrated. Mediation analysis in the context of interpretation of patient-reported outcome scores is a relatively new development. The logic and rationale of the three methods are expressed generally. While the three approaches themselves are not new, some applications of them taken from their examples published in the past few years are original and coalesced in this article to add real-life implications of the different methodologies in one integrated report.

Topics: Analgesics; Clinical Trials as Topic; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Erectile Dysfunction; Female; Fibromyalgia; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Humans; Macular Degeneration; Male; Patient Outcome Assessment; Piperazines; Pregabalin; Purines; Sickness Impact Profile; Sildenafil Citrate; Sulfonamides; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urological Agents

To investigate the effect of pregabalin on erectile function and on the penile expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in diabetic rat models.. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin to induce diabetes mellitus. The rats with blood glucose levels above 300 mg/dL were selected for the study. Those were randomly divided into 2 groups (N=10 per group): i) EDDM (erectile dysfunction diabetes mellitus) group fed with saline and ii) EDDM+Pregabalin treated group receiving pregabalin (10 mg/k/day) by intragastric administration. 10 animals served as a control group and received no streptozotocin. 4 weeks later, the erectile function of the rats was assessed by recording frequency of erection after subcutaneous apomorphine (80 ug/kg) injection. Superoxide anion generation and the expression of mRNA of nNOS and eNOS were evaluated in corpora cavernosum tissue.. Penile erection, the expression of both nNOS, eNOS and superoxide generation were significantly decreased in pregabalin treated group compared to control group.. Treatment with pregabalin for 4 weeks decreases superoxide production but cannot improve erectile dysfunction in diabetic rats probably by inhibiting Ca(2)(+) channel-mediated NOS activation.

Topics: Animals; Calcium Channel Blockers; Diabetes Complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Erectile Dysfunction; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Gene Expression; Male; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; Penile Erection; Penis; Pregabalin; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA, Messenger; Superoxides

Topics: Adult; Anticonvulsants; Brain Injuries; Epilepsy; Erectile Dysfunction; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Humans; Male; Pregabalin

Sexual dysfunction has been reported in both men and women with epilepsy. Associated factors are diverse but include, among others, antiepileptic drugs. We present the cases of 5 men who reported mild to moderate erectile dysfunction or impotence for the first time when treated with the new antiepileptic drug pregabalin as add-on therapy.

Topics: Adult; Anticonvulsants; Drug Therapy, Combination; Epilepsies, Partial; Erectile Dysfunction; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pregabalin; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic