| 2009 ACP Issues Guidelines for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction October 23, 2009 — The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued recommendations for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the October issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. Erectile dysfunction is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. Evaluation and consideration of treatment are indicated when ED persists for at least 3 months. The ACP recommendations in this clinical practice guideline are as follows: 1. Clinicians begin treatment in men who seek treatment of ED and who have no contraindication to their use 2. Cinicians are to choose a specific treatment course based on the individual preferences of men with ED, considering ease of use, cost of medication, and adverse effects profile 3. There is no opinion for or against routine use of hormonal blood tests or hormonal therapy for patients with ED The new clinical practice guidelines strongly urge physicians to begin therapy in men who seek treatment of ED, unless they are receiving nitrate therapy or have another contraindications. Therefore, the guideline recommends that physicians prescribe based on individual patient preferences, taking into account convenience and ease of use, medication costs, and safety and adverse effects profile. Risk factors for ED include advanced age, diabetes, vascular diseases, psychiatric disorders, and possibly hypogonadism. Worldwide prevalence of ED exceeded 152 million in 1995, and with the graying of the population, it is estimated that it will be approximately 322 million by the year 2025. Regardless of the specific cause of ED, such as diabetes, depression, or prostate cancer, or baseline severity, treatment was associated with statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in sexual intercourse and in erectile function. |
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| Aesthetic Medicine Today |
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