Abstract

International index of erectile function (IIEF) has a high sensitivity and specificity for the evaluating treatment of erectile dysfunction. IIEF was used to evaluate on an international level the effectiveness of red ginseng on patients with erectile dysfunction and determine its possible development as a natural drug. 50 patients with erectile failure who were 20 years or older and without organic cause were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1(25 patients) received red ginseng 600mg three times a day and group 2 (25 patients) received placebo in the same fashion for 8 weeks. Each group was evaluated with IIEF at the start and end of therapy. Of the 50 patients 47 (group 1 24, group 2 23) who completed the 8 week therapy were evaluated. The mean age and symptom duration of the patients was 45.7$\pm$8.7 (27-68) and 6.2$\pm$5.6(1-29) years, respectively. Patient age, symptom duration. marriage status, marriage duration, partner age were not statistic significance between the two groups (p>0.05). Blood chemistry, urinalysis, and hormonal assay did not reveal difference between the two groups. primary efficacy (erectile rigidity and its maintenance) and all domains in secondary efficacy were significantly better after therapy in group 1 compared to those of group 2 (p<0.05) except for frequency of sexual desire, degree of sexual desire, and frequency of intercourse trial (p>0.05). Group 1 patients were significantly more satisfied after treatment compared to group 2 patients with 58.3% (14/24)and 26.1%(6/23) satisfaction rates, respectively. There were no adverse reactions or complications with ginseng adiminstration. Further study into the effects of saponin and ginsenoside that are the main substances in ginseng for erectile dysfunction is needed. In addition, its possible additive effect with ginseng and sildenafil should be elucidated in the future.

발기부전 환자에서 홍삼의 치료효능을 평가하기 위하여 발기 능력을 측정하고 발기부전의 치료효과를 평가하기 위하여 개발되어 국제적으로 발기부전의 평가지표로 인정되고 있는 IIEF를 이용하여 시행한 연구 결과에서 발기력 강도와 유지의 일차 유효성 평가에서 위약군에 비하여 치료효과가 있는 것으로 나타났으며, 5개의 범주로 나누어 분석한 이차 유효성평가에서는 성적 욕구의 범주의 성욕의 빈도 및 성욕의 정도 항목과 성교 시도 횟수 항목을 제외한 모든 항목에서 홍삼 투여군에서 위약 투여군에 비해 통계학적으로 유의하게 높은 치료 효과를 나타내었다. 8주간 투약종료시범에서 치료가 대상환자에게 도움이 되었는가를 알아보는 유효성 평가 문항에서 홍삼 투여군은 58.3%(14/24)에서 도움이 되었다고 답변을 하여 위약 투여군의 26.1%(6/23)에 비하여 유의하게 높은 치료효과를 나타내었으며, 약물의 안정성 평가에서는 약물관련 특이 반응이나 특별한 부작용은 없는 것으로 나타났다. 이상으로 발기부전 환자에서 홍삼의 투여가 특별한 독성이나 부작용 없이 위약군에 비하여 좋은 치료효과를 보이는 것으로 나타났으며, 단독 투여뿐만 아니라 다른 발기부전 치료제와의 병용 요법에 따른 상승효과(synergic effect) 등에 대하여도 임상 연구가 필요하리라 생각된다.

Keywords

• Ginseng;
• efficacy;
• impotence;
• IIEF;
• erectile dysfunction