Profiling Characteristics of Men Who Use Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors Based on Obtaining Patterns: Data from the Nationwide Japanese Population

Introduction Worldwide, certain subsets of men bypass healthcare provider (HCP) interactions and obtain phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) from uncontrolled sources. Aim To stratify men who are PDE5i users based on their obtaining patterns and investigate the characteristics that differentiate these groups. Methods A Web-based observational study conducted between March and June 2009 in Japan. Main Outcome Measures We stratified the reported obtaining patterns into three categories: men who had a prescription for PDE5is from HCP, those who obtained PDE5is from friends, and those who purchased PDE5is via the Internet. Logistic regressions were conducted to determine independent predictors for each obtaining patterns. Erection function was evaluated by erection hardness score (EHS). Results Of 7,710 total recruited subjects, 1,144 men (14.8%) reported PDE5i use within the past year. Among 1,144 men, 625 men (54.6%) were prescribed PDE5i from HCP, whereas 267 men (23.4%) obtained PDE5i from friends and 252 men (22.0%) purchased PDE5i via the Internet. In a multivariable regression analyses, men being prescribed PDE5i from HCP were more likely to live in a northern area of Japan (OR 0.98), have a lower rate of smoking (OR 0.77), and have an awareness of ED (OR 3.04). In contrast, men who obtained PDE5i from friends were more likely to live in a southern area (OR 1.02), to have higher rate of alcohol intake and smoking (OR 1.20, OR 1.45), and lower awareness of ED (OR 0.39). Men purchasing PDE5i via the Internet were more likely to consider themselves to be in worse health (OR 0.85) and to have lower awareness of ED (OR 0.62). Conclusions Our results could help to identify men who may bypass HCP interactions. These findings could aid in the targeting of public service announcements designed to encourage men to avoid obtaining uncontrolled PDE5i and consult with HCPs to protect their health. Kimura M, Shimura S, Kobayashi H, Tai T, Chikano Y, Baba S, Kano M, and Nagao K. Profiling characteristics of men who use phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors based on obtaining patterns: Data from the nationwide Japanese population. J Sex Med 2012;9:1649–1658.