Introduction: The DETECT study is a prospective, 12-month, European, multicenter, observational study of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) initiating or changing treatment to tadalafil in routine clinical practice.
Aim: To determine the effectiveness of tadalafil and the factors associated with the continuation of treatment for ED at 12 months.
Methods: The DETECT study included 1,900 men aged 18 years and older with a history of ED and who were initiating or changing treatment to tadalafil.
Main outcome measures: Sexual function at baseline, 1, 6, and 12 months was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-erectile function (IIEF-EF) domain. Factors associated with treatment continuation at 12 months were evaluated using multivariate regression analysis.
Results: At 12 months, 1,319 (84%) of 1,567 patients who completed the questionnaire reported continued use of tadalafil. Among these patients, tadalafil was highly effective: 94%, 95%, and 71% with severe, moderate, and mild ED at baseline, respectively, improved by at least one IIEF-EF category and 65% had normal EF. Five factors were associated with tadalafil continuation at 12 months: (i) ED severity at 1 month (based on IIEF-EF domain score); (ii) tolerance to treatment at 1 month; (iii) age younger than 60 years; (iv) number of sexual attempts in the first month; and (v) no history of pelvic surgery. Patient and partner factors at baseline were not significantly associated with continued tadalafil use.
Conclusions: Tadalafil is an effective treatment for ED in routine clinical practice. The therapeutic response and treatment tolerance after 1-month treatment are the most important factors influencing tadalafil continuation.