Health knowledge made personal
  
The authors arrived at their conclusions after evaluating 740 participants from 4 countries in 6 clinical trials over a period of time ranging from as short as 8 weeks to as long as 2 years. Of note, they objectively quantified sexual dysfunction with the validated International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF-5) questionnaire ( full index in PDF ). 
However, it should be noted that this meta-analysis demonstrates one of those statistically significant but not necessarily clinically significant results. For instance, while 4 points' change is clinically significant, the sum of lifestyle & medication to reduce CV risk resulted only in a statistically significant 2.7 point improvement. When analyzed separately, lifestyle alone led a 2.4 point improvement while medication (statins) led to a 3.1 point improvement, both statistically significant but not necessarily clinically so.
In comparison, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors typically lead to a 7-10 point improvement, clearly consistent w/their clinical benefit. But it should be noted that CV risk reduction improved ED even in those not response to PDE-5 inhibitors. Better yet, there are no side effects from diet, exercise & maintaining an active lifestyle, all of which can be "used" in conjunction w/nitrates, something which can't be said for the popular oral medications. And let's not forget to factor in cost savings (or expenditures), too!
Bottom line: don't just sit there, do something (whether you're watching the Olympic games, NFL, NBA, NASCAR, MLB, whatever)!
Follow @alvinblin 
|
Write a comment:
|
