Evaluation of platelet-rich fibrin matrix combined with PGE-1 injection on erectile function in patients with refractory response to PDE5-I: a randomized placebo-controlled study

We studied the effect of a platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) combined with prostaglandin E-1 (PGE-1) injection on erectile function in patients refractory to response for phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is).

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 80 patients. The patients were randomly assigned to four groups and blinded together with the administrating physicians to the nature of the intracorporeal injection (ICI) therapies. Group (1) received saline, group (2) received platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM), group (3) received prostaglandin E-1 (PGE-1), and group (4) received a combination of PRFM + PGE-1. The patients received ICI therapy weekly for 8 consecutive weeks. Clinical information and follow-up data were obtained at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months.

A significant increase occurred in the validated Arabic version of the International Index of Erectile Function (ArIIEF-5) score in group (4) compared to the other three groups (p value = 0.037). There was a significant difference in erection hardness scale (EHS) scores among all groups after receiving the different treatments (p = 0.004). A significant increase was seen in the ArIIEF-5 score in groups 4 and 3 compared to that in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). There was also a significant increase in the arterial dilatation % in groups 4 and 3 compared to that in groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.019).

The combination of PRFM plus PGE-1 had shown significant improvement in the ArIIEF-5 score, yet the patients still had mild to moderate ED.