Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors in Men With Erectile Dysfunction and the Risk of Alzheimer Disease: A Cohort Study

UK cohort study of men aged ≥40 years with a new diagnosis of erectile dysfunction (n=269,725) found the initiation of PDE-5 inhibitors was associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared with non-users (adjusted HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72–0.93).

SPS commentary:

A sensitivity analysis with a 1-year lag period (excluding those with less than 1 year of follow-up after cohort entry) supported the primary findings (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72–0.94), but the results differed with the inclusion of a 3-year lag period (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.80–1.08). The authors say this highlights the need to explore the optimal lag period, and they call for a randomised controlled trial including both men and women, exploring various PDE-5 inhibitor doses, to confirm their findings in a wider population. Further investigation into the pathophysiologic action of PDE5 inhibitors and neuroprotection is also required.

Neurology