Philippine Journal of Surgical Specialties Vol. 68, No. 3, July-December 2013, pp 109-120

Meta-Analysis with Meta-Regression and Systematic Review of the Efficacy of On-Demand Tramadol for the Treatment of Lifelong Premature Ejaculation

Author(s): Marc Gil DL. Marcelo, M.D.; Lawrence Irving Bernardo, Marc Paul Lopez, M.D., F.P.C.S.; Marie Dione Sacdalan, M.D., F.P.C.S. and Manuel Francisco Roxas, M.D., F.P.C.S.

Abstract:
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of on demand tramadol for the treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation.

Methods:
A systematic review and meta-analysis with meta regression of trials evaluating the use of tramadol to treat premature ejaculation using intravaginal ejaculation latency time as a measure. Relevant studies were identified using PubMed, Ebscohost, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Collaboration Library.

Results:
This analysis included 8 publications. Study of the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) among 599 patients showed that tramadol was effective in subjects with premature ejaculation as seen by the significant difference in mean IELT of tramadol treated patients versus those receiving placebo (mean difference 2.43 minutes; 95% CI 0.93-3.93; P=0.002). The effect on IELT between tramadol and paroxetine was not statistically significant (mean difference -0.58; 95% CI -5.81 to 4.65; P=0.83). Meta-regression analysis showed that the lower the dose of tramadol, the higher its benefit in the prolongation of IELT, however, there was no significant difference (95% CI regression coefficient -0.0956 to 0.0322). There was a significant difference in adverse effects profile of tramadol versus placebo (risk ratio 2.48; 95% CI 1.55-3.98; overall effect Z= 3.79; P< 0.0002) and overall therapeutic effectiveness between tramadol compared to placebo (risk ratio 0.55; 95% CI 0.46- 0.67; P< 0.00001).

Conclusion:
On-demand tramadol is an effective treatment for lifelong premature ejaculation. It significantly prolongs the intravaginal ejaculation latency time. The overall adverse events and overall therapeutic effectiveness are significantly greater during treatment with tramadol.

Key words: Key words: Premature ejaculation, tramadol, intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT)