The objective of this study was to describe confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multidimension... more The objective of this study was to describe confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multidimensional scaling (MDS) on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) to confirm the structure and to enrich understanding of the IIEF, thereby heightening appreciation of the factors and responses underlying sexual functioning for men with erectile dysfunction. Baseline, end of double-blind, and end of open-label data sets were derived from all data from 2 previously published sildenafil trials. For the CFA model, an acceptable fit of the data was shown for each data set, as indicated by a Bentler comparative fit index > 0.9, statistically significant path coefficients (t values > 1.96), and (except for IIEF item 6 at baseline) statistically significant standardized path coefficients >= 0.4. For MDS modeling, the distance matrix created for each data set, based on polychoric correlations, interpreted relationships between the IIEF items in 2-dimensional space across the "...
To study the effect of hydroxychloroquine on cytokine production by monocytes and T cells, cells ... more To study the effect of hydroxychloroquine on cytokine production by monocytes and T cells, cells were pretreated with varying concentrations of hydroxychloroquine and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (monocytes), phytohemagglutinin or anti-CD-3 monoclonal antibodies (T cells). Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1-alpha), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production were measured from the stimulated monocytes and IL-2, IL-4 and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) were measured from the stimulated T cells. Hydroxychloroquine inhibited production of IL-1-alpha (monocytes) and IL-6 (T cells and monocytes). In contrast IL-2, IL-4, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production were not affected. Preferential inhibition of IL-1-alpha production by monocytes and IL-6 production by T cells and monocytes may contribute to its antiinflammatory effect in autoimmune diseases.
Value in health : the journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research
Research is lacking on the correlation between treatment satisfaction and confidence, self-esteem... more Research is lacking on the correlation between treatment satisfaction and confidence, self-esteem, and relationships for men receiving treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). We sought to correlate scores between the validated Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) index and the validated Self-Esteem And Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire following treatment with sildenafil citrate (VIAGRA). This study was based on an open-label, flexible-dose trial of 93 sildenafil-naive patients with ED. Pearson correlation coefficients between EDITS index and SEAR questionnaire scores, each of which can range from 0 to 100 (most favorable), were calculated at end of treatment (EOT). An analysis of covariance model was applied to associate changes from baseline to EOT in SEAR scores with EDITS score at EOT, controlling for baseline SEAR score. Significant and sizable Pearson's correlations between SEAR and EDITS scores (P < or = 0.0001; range: 0.49-0.84) were obser...
To assess the efficacy and safety of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) in male outpatients with erectil... more To assess the efficacy and safety of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) in male outpatients with erectile dysfunction and patient and partner satisfaction with treatment using the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS). A total of 247 patients with erectile dysfunction of broad-spectrum etiology were treated in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter study conducted at outpatient clinics. Patients receiving oral sildenafil (25, 50, and 100 mg) were compared with patients receiving placebo during a 12-week period. The principal efficacy measures were responses to question 3 (ability to achieve an erection) and question 4 (ability to maintain an erection) on the International Index of Erectile Function and three global efficacy questions. Patient and partner satisfaction with treatment were assessed, for the first time, using the EDITS questionnaire. Efficacy scores for the International Index of Erectile Function questions and the global efficacy questions were significantly higher for patients receiving sildenafil than for those receiving placebo (P &lt;0.001). Both patients and partners receiving sildenafil also had significantly higher EDITS scores than those receiving placebo (P &lt;0.001). Adverse events were chiefly mild or moderate. Two patients receiving sildenafil and none receiving placebo discontinued treatment because of adverse events. Sildenafil was an effective, well-tolerated treatment for erectile dysfunction in an outpatient setting. Partner evaluations corroborated patient assessments. The results from the EDITS questionnaire indicated that after 12 weeks of receiving sildenafil both patients and partners reported higher levels of treatment satisfaction relative to placebo.
The objective of this study was to describe confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multidimension... more The objective of this study was to describe confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multidimensional scaling (MDS) on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) to confirm the structure and to enrich understanding of the IIEF, thereby heightening appreciation of the factors and responses underlying sexual functioning for men with erectile dysfunction. Baseline, end of double-blind, and end of open-label data sets were derived from all data from 2 previously published sildenafil trials. For the CFA model, an acceptable fit of the data was shown for each data set, as indicated by a Bentler comparative fit index > 0.9, statistically significant path coefficients (t values > 1.96), and (except for IIEF item 6 at baseline) statistically significant standardized path coefficients >= 0.4. For MDS modeling, the distance matrix created for each data set, based on polychoric correlations, interpreted relationships between the IIEF items in 2-dimensional space across the "...
To study the effect of hydroxychloroquine on cytokine production by monocytes and T cells, cells ... more To study the effect of hydroxychloroquine on cytokine production by monocytes and T cells, cells were pretreated with varying concentrations of hydroxychloroquine and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (monocytes), phytohemagglutinin or anti-CD-3 monoclonal antibodies (T cells). Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1-alpha), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production were measured from the stimulated monocytes and IL-2, IL-4 and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) were measured from the stimulated T cells. Hydroxychloroquine inhibited production of IL-1-alpha (monocytes) and IL-6 (T cells and monocytes). In contrast IL-2, IL-4, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production were not affected. Preferential inhibition of IL-1-alpha production by monocytes and IL-6 production by T cells and monocytes may contribute to its antiinflammatory effect in autoimmune diseases.
Value in health : the journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research
Research is lacking on the correlation between treatment satisfaction and confidence, self-esteem... more Research is lacking on the correlation between treatment satisfaction and confidence, self-esteem, and relationships for men receiving treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). We sought to correlate scores between the validated Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) index and the validated Self-Esteem And Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire following treatment with sildenafil citrate (VIAGRA). This study was based on an open-label, flexible-dose trial of 93 sildenafil-naive patients with ED. Pearson correlation coefficients between EDITS index and SEAR questionnaire scores, each of which can range from 0 to 100 (most favorable), were calculated at end of treatment (EOT). An analysis of covariance model was applied to associate changes from baseline to EOT in SEAR scores with EDITS score at EOT, controlling for baseline SEAR score. Significant and sizable Pearson's correlations between SEAR and EDITS scores (P < or = 0.0001; range: 0.49-0.84) were obser...
To assess the efficacy and safety of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) in male outpatients with erectil... more To assess the efficacy and safety of Viagra (sildenafil citrate) in male outpatients with erectile dysfunction and patient and partner satisfaction with treatment using the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS). A total of 247 patients with erectile dysfunction of broad-spectrum etiology were treated in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter study conducted at outpatient clinics. Patients receiving oral sildenafil (25, 50, and 100 mg) were compared with patients receiving placebo during a 12-week period. The principal efficacy measures were responses to question 3 (ability to achieve an erection) and question 4 (ability to maintain an erection) on the International Index of Erectile Function and three global efficacy questions. Patient and partner satisfaction with treatment were assessed, for the first time, using the EDITS questionnaire. Efficacy scores for the International Index of Erectile Function questions and the global efficacy questions were significantly higher for patients receiving sildenafil than for those receiving placebo (P &lt;0.001). Both patients and partners receiving sildenafil also had significantly higher EDITS scores than those receiving placebo (P &lt;0.001). Adverse events were chiefly mild or moderate. Two patients receiving sildenafil and none receiving placebo discontinued treatment because of adverse events. Sildenafil was an effective, well-tolerated treatment for erectile dysfunction in an outpatient setting. Partner evaluations corroborated patient assessments. The results from the EDITS questionnaire indicated that after 12 weeks of receiving sildenafil both patients and partners reported higher levels of treatment satisfaction relative to placebo.
Uploads
Papers by Vera Stecher