Silodosin Has Nocebo Effect on Sexual Adverse Effects: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: Nocebo effect is known in patients refered to side effects of drugs that cause more side effects than expected. Side effects on sexual function have been reported in about 60% of patients using silodosin. To investigate whether there was nocebo effect of silodosin in the side effects on sexual function.
 

Materials and Methods: Between May 2014 and March 2017, 129 moderate-to-severe LUTS patients were included in the study. For the patients, PSA (ng/mL), prostate volume (cc), uroflowmetry test IIEF-15 and IPSS questionnaires were filled at the time of before and after treatment. Patients were divided into two groups, referred to as side effects that was mentioned and not mentioned. After 3 months control, all patients were asked whether they had sexual side effects. It was analyzed whether there was significantly differences between two groups.
 

Results: The groups were compared in terms of the frequency of androgenic side effects, low semen volume was 40.9% in Group 1 and 22.2% in Group 2 (p=0.04). Anejaculation rates were 6% and 4%, respectively (p=0.12); loss of libido and erectile dysfunction were observed in one patient in both groups (p=0.42). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for anejaculation, decreased libido and erectile dysfunction. 9 patients (7%) who left medication due to side effects were excluded from the study.
 

Conclusion: In patients, mentioned about the sexual side effects, low semen volume was seen more frequantly, but anejaculation, decreased libido and erectile dysfunction were same. Therefore, be informed about the side effects before treatment is a matter of debate.

Cite this article as: Sertkaya Z, Ozkaya F. Silodosin Has Nocebo Effect on Sexual Adverse Effects: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Eurasian J Med 2019; 51(3): 277-9.