Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors for Premature Ejaculation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

contextPhosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) are prescribed off-label for the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE).

objectiveTo systematically review the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for PDE5-Is in the management of PE. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Medline and other databases were searched through September 2015. Quality of RCTs was assessed. Intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) data were pooled in a meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Fifteen RCTs were included. The majority were of unclear methodological quality. Pooled IELT evidence suggests that PDE5-Is are significantly more effective than placebo (231 participants, p<0.00001), that there is no difference between PDE5-Is and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; 405 participants, p=0.50), and that PDE5-Is combined with an SSRI are significantly more effective than SSRIs alone (521 participants, p=0.001); however, high levels of statistical heterogeneity are evident (I

conclusionsPDE5-Is are significantly more effective than placebo and PDE5-Is combined with an SSRI are significantly more effective than SSRIs alone at increasing IELT and improving other effectiveness outcomes; however, heterogeneity is evident across RCTs. The methodological quality of the majority of RCTs is unclear. PATIENT SUMMARY: We reviewed phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) for treating premature ejaculation. We found evidence to suggest that PDE5-Is are effective compared with placebo and that PDE5-Is combined with an SSRI are more effective than an SSRI alone. Adverse events are reported with PDE5-Is and other agents; however, the quality of the evidence is uncertain.

trial registrationPROSPERO registration number CRD42013005289.