madman
Super Moderator
Availability of platelet-rich plasma for treatment of erectile dysfunction and associated costs and efficacy: A review of current publications and Canadian data
Deron Britt, BSc; Udi Blankstein, MD; Matthew Lenardis, MD; Alexandra Millman, MD; Ethan Grober, MD; Yonah Krakowsky, MD
Introduction: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an increasingly used unconventional treatment option for erectile dysfunction (ED). The validity of PRP as a potential treatment for ED has been proposed in limited human trials. Furthermore, the costs associated with PRP for ED treatment are not readily promoted to patients. The goal of this review was to determine the efficacy and costs of PRP based on currently available literature and Canadian data.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review of available PRP studies and current published data pertaining to cost, availability, and provider clinics globally was conducted using the PubMed database. Physicians offering genital PRP in Canada were identified using internet searches and PRP provider directories. Physician qualifications, clinic locations, and cost information were obtained from provider websites and telephone calls to identified clinics.
Results: Availability of PRP injections offered for treating ED is increasing globally. There are currently no peer-reviewed publications to substantiate anecdotal evidence pertaining to the efficacy of PRP as a viable treatment option for ED patients. Our results indicate 19 providers for PRP injections in Canada, costing on average $1777 CAD per injection. No providers were affiliated with academic institutions and providers varied in their area of clinical specialty and training.
Conclusions: To our knowledge, there is currently no research underway investigating the clinical efficacy of PRP for ED treatment despite its broad availability and significant cost. Patients should be informed of the lack of substantiated efficacy and safety data, as the reliability of PRP treatments requires further evaluation.
Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition defined as the inability to initiate or sustain an erection and is estimated to affect over 300 million men globally by 2025.[1],[2] Estimates of ED in the general population vary greatly between 3-76.5%, but it is known to be substantially more persistent in aging demographics, with prevalence greater than 50% in men aged 40 – 70 years.[2],[3] In the United States, approximately 12 million men suffer from ED influenced by common comorbidities, including, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and obesity.[4] Although there are discrepancies amongst studies, ED specifically after invasive urologic procedures including radical prostatectomy (RA), has been documented to be as high as 85%.[4] Compounding the physical limitations of ED, high rates of emotional distress and depression have also been documented in large-scale population studies globally.[5],[6] Recently, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) intracavernosal injections have been increasing in demand as a potential treatment modality for ED patients, despite limited data to demonstrate continuous efficacy and safety in long-term trials.[7] With a growing demand for alternative treatment options for patients, including low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (LI-ESWL) and stem cell treatment (SCT), there is also a corresponding lack of standardized costs to patients through marketing from clinics supplying treatment options.[7] The publications currently available, related to human clinical trials and availability of treatment, are limited in regards to total costs of treatment, providers, and professional affiliation.[8] To our knowledge, there are currently no publications of Canadian data pertaining to PRP injection clinics and associated costs to patients. This study will review the current efficacy and safety surrounding PRP injections for ED patients, as well as investigate PRP injection for ED providers and treatment costs in Canada.
Platelet-rich plasma: A historical perspective
Role in erectile dysfunction
Animal model trials
Human clinical trials
Safety of platelet-rich plasma for erectile dysfunction treatment
Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma for erectile dysfunction treatment
Availability of platelet-rich plasma in North America and internationally
Canadian data
Conclusions
PRP injections are an ever-increasing method advertised as a viable treatment for a variety of urologic conditions including male and female dysfunction, and more specifically, ED in the male population. PRP is available in most parts of Canada at a significant cost, with no university-affiliated providers currently offering PRP at the time of this review. To our knowledge, there is currently no research underway investigating its clinical efficacy to endorse its clinical use and corroborate limited human trials. A review of the current literature suggests that there is currently not enough substantiated data to warrant PRP being a practical treatment option for patients suffering from ED. More extensive human trials, that include standardized control groups and protocols along with long-term follow-up data are necessary to provide further insight into if PRP can be incorporated as a routine option for treatment of ED.
Deron Britt, BSc; Udi Blankstein, MD; Matthew Lenardis, MD; Alexandra Millman, MD; Ethan Grober, MD; Yonah Krakowsky, MD
Introduction: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an increasingly used unconventional treatment option for erectile dysfunction (ED). The validity of PRP as a potential treatment for ED has been proposed in limited human trials. Furthermore, the costs associated with PRP for ED treatment are not readily promoted to patients. The goal of this review was to determine the efficacy and costs of PRP based on currently available literature and Canadian data.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review of available PRP studies and current published data pertaining to cost, availability, and provider clinics globally was conducted using the PubMed database. Physicians offering genital PRP in Canada were identified using internet searches and PRP provider directories. Physician qualifications, clinic locations, and cost information were obtained from provider websites and telephone calls to identified clinics.
Results: Availability of PRP injections offered for treating ED is increasing globally. There are currently no peer-reviewed publications to substantiate anecdotal evidence pertaining to the efficacy of PRP as a viable treatment option for ED patients. Our results indicate 19 providers for PRP injections in Canada, costing on average $1777 CAD per injection. No providers were affiliated with academic institutions and providers varied in their area of clinical specialty and training.
Conclusions: To our knowledge, there is currently no research underway investigating the clinical efficacy of PRP for ED treatment despite its broad availability and significant cost. Patients should be informed of the lack of substantiated efficacy and safety data, as the reliability of PRP treatments requires further evaluation.
Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition defined as the inability to initiate or sustain an erection and is estimated to affect over 300 million men globally by 2025.[1],[2] Estimates of ED in the general population vary greatly between 3-76.5%, but it is known to be substantially more persistent in aging demographics, with prevalence greater than 50% in men aged 40 – 70 years.[2],[3] In the United States, approximately 12 million men suffer from ED influenced by common comorbidities, including, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and obesity.[4] Although there are discrepancies amongst studies, ED specifically after invasive urologic procedures including radical prostatectomy (RA), has been documented to be as high as 85%.[4] Compounding the physical limitations of ED, high rates of emotional distress and depression have also been documented in large-scale population studies globally.[5],[6] Recently, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) intracavernosal injections have been increasing in demand as a potential treatment modality for ED patients, despite limited data to demonstrate continuous efficacy and safety in long-term trials.[7] With a growing demand for alternative treatment options for patients, including low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (LI-ESWL) and stem cell treatment (SCT), there is also a corresponding lack of standardized costs to patients through marketing from clinics supplying treatment options.[7] The publications currently available, related to human clinical trials and availability of treatment, are limited in regards to total costs of treatment, providers, and professional affiliation.[8] To our knowledge, there are currently no publications of Canadian data pertaining to PRP injection clinics and associated costs to patients. This study will review the current efficacy and safety surrounding PRP injections for ED patients, as well as investigate PRP injection for ED providers and treatment costs in Canada.
Platelet-rich plasma: A historical perspective
Role in erectile dysfunction
Animal model trials
Human clinical trials
Safety of platelet-rich plasma for erectile dysfunction treatment
Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma for erectile dysfunction treatment
Availability of platelet-rich plasma in North America and internationally
Canadian data
Conclusions
PRP injections are an ever-increasing method advertised as a viable treatment for a variety of urologic conditions including male and female dysfunction, and more specifically, ED in the male population. PRP is available in most parts of Canada at a significant cost, with no university-affiliated providers currently offering PRP at the time of this review. To our knowledge, there is currently no research underway investigating its clinical efficacy to endorse its clinical use and corroborate limited human trials. A review of the current literature suggests that there is currently not enough substantiated data to warrant PRP being a practical treatment option for patients suffering from ED. More extensive human trials, that include standardized control groups and protocols along with long-term follow-up data are necessary to provide further insight into if PRP can be incorporated as a routine option for treatment of ED.
