OBJECTIVE: To assess the available literature evaluating the safety and efficacy of sildenafil citrate in improving erectile function in patients with end stage renal disease.
METHODS: From the period of 1990-June 2016, the authors assessed the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and Medline for randomized controlled trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of sildenafil citrate for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in patients with chronic renal disease. Review authors selected articles for inclusion, extracted data and assessed trial quality. Risk ratios were determined and reported for dichotomous data and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals for continuous data.
RESULTS: Three randomized control trials involving a total of were identified. All trials investigated the safety and efficacy of sildenafil citrate in patients with chronic renal disease. Pooled analysis of the trials showed statistically significant improvement in the IIEF score with sildenafil citrate on the study as well as on the meta-analysis level. Pooled analysis of all three trials shows no statistical difference with regards to side effects between the treatment arms on the meta-analysis level. Common side effects include nausea, headache and palpitation.
CONCLUSION: Based on the meta-analysis of the available literature, oral sildenafil citrate is an effective and safe treatment for erectile dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease.