Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave treatment improves erectile function in non-responder PDEi5 patients: A systematic review

Objective: To determine the effectiveness and safety in the short, medium, and long term of LISWT in patients with Erectile Dysfunction who do not respond to PDE5 inhibitors. Methodology: Clinical study, quasi-experimental cohort and systematic review following the guidelines of the Cochrane collaboration and the PRISMA writing guides. The measurement of the variables was determined as a primary outcome to the evaluation of erectile function, by means of a validated questionnaire. The baseline scale was evaluated, as well as the difference at 1, 3 and 6 months, evidenced by the possibility of maintaining an erection or responding to therapy with PDEi5. An information search was carried out from its beginning to the current date, in the databases: Medline, Embase, Central, Science Direct and Lilacs. Results: The studies found used different outcome variables to show efficacy in the follow-up: All the studies used the IIEF-EF as outcome variable in its different variations. Conclusion: LISWT could be an effective and safe treatment in patients not responding to PDEi5. It is important to point out that the evidence is currently limited, randomized studies with greater methodological rigidity and follow-up longer than 12 months are needed in order to verify the medium and long-term effect of the application of shock waves in this group of patients.