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Improvement in erectile function following weight loss in obese men: The SHED-IT randomized controlled trial

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Summary

In a randomized controlled trial 145 sexually active overweight/obese men received either a male only SHED-IT (Self Help Exercise and Diet Using IT) weight loss program or a wait-list control. Erectile function (IIEF-5) was compared between men in the active intervention versus controls. IIEF-5 was assessed at baseline, 3 months (post-intervention) and 6 months (3-month follow-up). Intention-to-treat analysis revealed a significant intervention effect for erectile function (p = 0.018) at 6 months (+1.4; 95% CI 0.3,2.4; d = 0.32). A minimal contact, gender-tailored weight loss program significantly improved men's erectile function. Further studies evaluating change in erectile function with weight loss are warranted.

Section snippets

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12610000699066).

Funding source

Heart Foundation of Australia.

Conflict of interest

There are no conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, of any of the authors.

Acknowledgements

The SHED-IT RCT is funded by a National Heart Foundation Grant-in-Aid (2010-2011). The funding bodies did not have any input into the design of the study, the collection or analysis of data, the preparation of this manuscript, or the decision to submit this manuscript for publication. We would like to thank the participating men. We would also like to thank James Dower, Bryana Melnik, Dana Williams, Alyce Cook, Trish Robson, Bronwyn Berthon, Ashlee Lucas, Roberta Asher, Sarah Costigan, Peter

References (16)

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