A Review of Economic Evaluations of Erectile Dysfunction Therapies

Abstract

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common and costly urologic condition with increasing prevalence as men age. Cost-effectiveness of ED therapies and whether cost-effectiveness varies for different populations of men remains underexplored.

Aim: To review and summarize available published data on the economic evaluation of ED therapies and to identify gaps in the literature that still need to be addressed.

Methods: All relevant peer-reviewed publications and conference abstracts were reviewed and incorporated.

Results: There are a number of medical and surgical treatment options available for ED. The economic evaluation of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, particularly sildenafil, has been well described. However, minimal research has been conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness of intracavernosal injections, intraurethral suppositories, penile prosthesis surgery, vacuum erection devices, and other emerging therapies in men with different causes of ED.

Conclusion: Available economic evaluations of ED therapies are dated, do not reflect present-day physician, pharmaceutical, and device costs, fail to account for patient comorbidities, and may not be generalizable to today's ED patients. Substantial research is needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ED treatments across different patient populations, countries, and reimbursement systems. Rezaee ME, Ward CE, Brandes ER, et al. A Review of Economic Evaluations of Erectile Dysfunction Therapies. Sex Med Rev 2019;8:497-503.

Keywords: Cost-Analysis; Cost-Effectiveness; Economic Evaluation; Erectile Dysfunction.