Trial of Pentoxifylline for Diabetic Impotence

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To test the effectiveness of pentoxifylline as a therapy for diabetic impotence. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A 3-month placebo-controlled double-blind treatment study was conducted at a single center. Therapeutic response was assessed subjectively by serial self-appraisals of erectile function and objectively by nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) monitoring. RESULTS This cohort of impotent diabetic men displayed substantial neurological and penile vascular dysfunction. Age, body mass index, duration of diabetes, duration of impotence, glycemie control, mode of therapy for non-insulin-dependent diabetes, mean testosterone, mean prolactin, and penile brachial indexes were similar in the treatment (n = 34) and placebo groups (n = 26). NPT monitoring revealed infrequent erectile events, diminished average rigidity, and decreased tumescence. Pentoxifylline did not alter overall glycemie control and did not improve neurological, vascular, or erectile function. In fact, a slight decrease in average percent rigidity from 22 ± 3 to 17 ± 2% (mean ± SE, P < 0.05) was observed in the pentoxifylline-treated group. Although eight (24%) pentoxifylline-treated and five (19%) placebo-treated men reported benefit, no objective improvement was observed in nocturnal tumescence. CONCLUSIONS Pentoxifylline is not an effective treatment for diabetic erectile dysfunction.