Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39891173›Full record

ArticleBMC urology2025

Use of erectile dysfunction treatments after prostate cancer treatment and their perceived impact on men's sex life: an analysis of patient reported outcome survey data.

Megan Charlick, Tenaw Tiruye, Kerry Ettridge, Michael O'Callaghan, Alex Jay, Kerri Beckmann

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC urology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Megan CharlickCancer Epidemiology and Population Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Tenaw TiruyeCancer Epidemiology and Population Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Kerry EttridgeHealth Policy Centre, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Michael O'CallaghanSouth Australian Prostate Cancer Clinical Outcomes Collaborative, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Alex JayUrology Department, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.
Kerri BeckmannCancer Epidemiology and Population Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Kerri.Beckmann@unisa.edu.au.

Funding

Cancer Council South Australia Beat Cancer FellowshipHospital Research Foundation 2022-CP-IDMH-018
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlthough sexual dysfunction is a common treatment side-effect affecting men's quality of life, many prostate cancer patients do not receive or seek out treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED). The aims of this study are to investigate the extent and patterns of use of ED treatments and their perceived impact at different times following prostate cancer treatment.

methodsThis retrospective cohort study included all men on the South Australian prostate cancer registry who completed one or more Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) survey from 2016 to 2023 (n = 5561). Outcomes included self-reported use of ED treatment (oral medications, intra-cavernosal injections (ICI) and vacuum pumps) and their impact men's sex life at various time points after treatment. The type and timing of ED treatments used was analysed descriptively. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with utilisation and self-reported satisfaction were examined using multivariable mixed-effects binomial logistic regression.

resultsPost-treatment use of ED treatments did not exceed 43% at any timepoint, with utilisation rates decreasing over time. Oral medications were most frequently used, while vacuum pump and ICI use was limited. Oral medications were more likely to be used at three-months (odds ratio [OR] = 2.48; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 1.88-3.27) and six-months (OR = 2.10; 95%CI = 1.63-2.27) than at 12-months post-treatment, and among men from higher socioeconomic areas (OR = 2.41; 95%CI = 1.47-3.93, highest vs. lowest quintile), and following prostatectomy (OR = 4.37; 95%CI = 2.92-6.42), and less likely among older men (OR = 0.08; 95%CI = 0.05-0.13, < 60yrs vs. 70-79yrs). Men were more likely to report an improved sex life with oral medication use at two-years (OR = 3.79; 95%CI = 1.69-8.47) and five-years (OR = 3.07; 95%CI = 1.51-6.25) post-treatment compared with 12-months or if they were socioeconomically advantaged (OR = 3.22; 95%CI = 1.30-7.96, highest vs. lowest quintile).

conclusionsA substantial proportion of Australian men do not access or continue to use ED treatments after prostate cancer treatment, with many users reporting only modest effects on their sex life. There is a need to improve access to and maintenance of ED treatments following prostate cancer treatment.

Indexed as

Erectile DysfunctionPatient Reported Outcome MeasuresProstatic NeoplasmsSexual BehaviorAgedCohort StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesErectile dysfunctionMaleProstate cancerProstatic neoplasmSexual function

Identifiers

PMID39891173
PMCPMC11783798

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.