Regimented Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Use Reduces Emergency Department Visits for Recurrent Ischemic Priapism

Purpose: We evaluated the real-world effectiveness of regimented phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor dosing on recurrent ischemic priapism outcomes using emergency department visits as a proxy for therapeutic control of the disorder. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with recurrent ischemic priapism who were started on regimented phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor therapy from May 2006 to January 2020. We compared the number of emergency department visits per month during a 6-month period before treatment, during treatment and after treatment discontinuation. We extracted and categorized priapism outcomes such as priapism frequency and duration. Results: Of 216 patients identified with all cause priapism 114 were diagnosed with recurrent ischemic priapism and 42 were initiated on regimented phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor therapy. Treatment effectiveness was analyzed for 24 evaluable patients. Priapism etiology was idiopathic in 12 patients (50%), sickle cell disease in 11 (46%) and drug-induced in 1 (4%). The median length of regimented phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use was 3 months (IQR 2-7). Treatment decreased emergency department visits per month by 4.4-fold (p<0.001), priapism duration tiers (p<0.001) and priapism frequency tiers (p<0.001). Of 24 patients 22 (92%) reported improvement in priapism outcomes, 9 of whom reported resolution of recurrent ischemic priapism episodes. A subgroup analysis of 17 patients with recurrent ischemic priapism relapse after treatment discontinuation showed a significant increase in priapism duration (p<0.001) and frequency (p<0.001) but no significant change in emergency department visits per month (p=0.91). Conclusions: Regimented phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor therapy was an impactful treatment in managing recurrent ischemic priapism according to objective and subjective parameters. This study provides further support for the use of regimented phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor dosing as a preventive strategy for recurrent ischemic priapism.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the real-world effectiveness of regimented phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor dosing on recurrent ischemic priapism outcomes, showing significant reduction in emergency department visits, as well as in priapism duration and frequency. The findings support the use of regimented phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor dosing as a preventive strategy for recurrent ischemic priapism.