Psoriasis and male sexuality.

Since sexual satisfaction is a key factor in quality-of-life scores, the aim of this review article is to examine current knowledge concerning the impact on male sexuality of psoriasis, particularly genital psoriasis. Risk factors for sexual dysfunction, and more specifically erectile dysfunction, demonstrated to date include severity of psoriasis, genital psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, smoking, psychological disorders (anxiety-depression), cardiovascular comorbidities and side effects of psoriasis treatments. Studies evaluating the burden of genital psoriasis on male sexuality are contradictory: while the link between genital psoriasis and global sexual functioning has been clearly established in relation to question 9 of the DLQI, discrepancies exist between the scoring systems used concerning sexual satisfaction. Finally, psoriasis patients have expressed a wish to receive more care from their dermatologist in terms of their genital psoriasis and its impact on their sexual activity.

Incidence, psychosocial burden, and economic impact of genital warts in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the burden of genital warts (GW)in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We estimated the annual incidence of GW based on data reported by specialist physicians. We also assessed GW treatment practices, the average cost of treatment, and the psychosocial burden of GW among patients. RESULTS: The annual incidence of GW in Mexico was estimated to be 547 200 cases. Treatment procedures vary by specialist and patient gender. The estimated annual cost was $195 million USD. The psychosocial impact of GW was slightly greater in males than females. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first evaluation of the burden of GW in Mexico. Our data suggest that GW are common, with significant health-related costs and psychosocial impact.

OBJETIVO: Estimar la carga por verrugas genitales (VG) en México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estimamos la incidencia anual de VG, con base en información proporcionada por médicos especialistas y el manejo de las VG, así como el costo promedio del tratamiento y la carga psicosocial de las VG. RESULTADOS: La incidencia anual de VG en México fue de 547 200 casos. Los tratamientos variaron según la especialidad y el sexo del paciente. El costo anual por VG fue de $195 millones de dólares estadounidenses. El impacto psicosocial de las VG es ligeramente mayor en hombres que en mujeres. CONCLUSIONES: Esta es la primera evaluación de la carga de VG en México. Los datos sugieren que las VG son frecuentes, tienen costos relacionados con salud e impactos psicosociales significativos.

Is Patient-Reported Exposure a Reliable Indicator for Anogenital Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Screening in Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men?

Among 485 young black men who have sex with men recruited in Jackson, MS, 90-day anal sexual exposure significantly predicted rectal infection, but 19.4% of rectal infections would have been missed among men denying receptive anal sex. Reports of consistent condom use were associated with lower infection rates only in men reporting insertive anal sex.

Biological and Behavioral Factors Associated With Positive Chlamydia Retests.

BACKGROUND: Repeat chlamydia detection after treatment is common, and there is concern that treatment failure may be a cause. METHODS: Within a randomized trial, we established a prospective cohort of 600 participants with anogenital chlamydia diagnoses (200 each of women, heterosexual men, and men who have sex with men [MSM]). Participants were invited for repeat testing at 3 months and to complete a behavioral survey at 4 months. Positive samples were analyzed for organism DNA load and genovar. We estimated repeat chlamydia positivity, reinfection and treatment failure rates, and investigated the biological and behavioral factors associated with a repeat positive test. RESULTS: A total of 290 participants (100 women, 89 heterosexual men, 101 MSM) were retested at 1 to 4 months, with 43 repeat positives, including 26 classed as reinfection and 9 as treatment failures. Comparing MSM with heterosexual men and women combined, repeat positivity was higher (20.8% vs 11.6%, P = 0.04), and treatment failure was higher (6.9% vs 1.1%, P = 0.01), but there was no difference in reinfection rates (11.9% vs 7.4%, P = 0.21). Among MSM, the odds of repeat positivity increased by 90% with each additional log organism load in the original specimen (baseline) (adjusted odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.2). Among heterosexuals, the odds of repeat positivity decreased by 10% with each additional week delay in being retested for chlamydia (adjusted odds ratio, 0.9; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Positive retests were more common among MSM than heterosexuals. Treatment failure was more common in MSM with rectal chlamydia, reinforcing concerns about azithromycin treatment failure.

Sexual quality of life after total phalloplasty in men with penile deficiency: an exploratory study.

PURPOSE: Total phalloplasty is rarely performed today in males with severe penile deficiency, despite its successful use in the transgender population. Can phalloplasty replicate the complexity of penile anatomy and function on the long term? METHODS: Sexual quality of life (QoL) was assessed in 10 men (aged 20-43 years) at least 1 year after phalloplasty in a single institution (80 % radial forearm flap and 20 % anterolateral thigh flap). In all but one, an erectile prosthesis was implanted on average 1 year after phallic reconstruction. Sexual QoL outcomes were compared to those of men with hypospadias repair (n = 73) and control men (n = 50). RESULTS: After phalloplasty (mean 36.9 months, 14-92 months), all men were sexually active (80 % intercourse and 100 % masturbation with orgasm and ejaculation). However, 75 % indicated to be inhibited in seeking sexual contacts, compared to 40 % of hypospadias patients (p < 0.05) and 11 % of controls (p < 0.01). Although 90 % were satisfied with the final surgical result, dissatisfaction with some aspects of genital appearance was present in 50 %. Erogenous neophallus sensitivity was said to be less than previously hoped for. Six men developed urinary complications (urethral stricture and/or fistula), and one man underwent revision of the erectile implant because of dysfunction. Nevertheless, all indicated they would choose again for phalloplasty if necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Total phalloplasty opens new horizons for the treatment of men with penile deficiency, but limitations of the technique should be emphasized prior to surgery. An exploration of patient expectations and continued follow-up including psychological support is important for optimizing psychosexual comfort.

Sexual quality of life after hormonal and surgical treatment, including phalloplasty, in men with micropenis: a review.

INTRODUCTION: The term micropenis encompasses a range of congenital and acquired conditions that result in an abnormally short penis. Small penis size may persist into adulthood, becoming a major cause of dissatisfaction. AIM: To review the literature pertaining to the effects of hormonal and surgical treatment on psychosexual functioning and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with micropenis who were raised male. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Long-term psychosexual and QoL outcomes after hormonal and surgical treatment, including phalloplasty. METHODS: PubMed search for relevant publications (1955-2012) on the role of hormonal and surgical treatment in sexual QoL in adult men with micropenis. RESULTS: Multiple variations in the etiology of micropenis make it difficult to draw firm conclusions that fit all of the patients within this disparate population. However, the literature review supports the conclusions that (i) male gender assignment is preferable for most 46,XY infants with congenital micropenis because of the likelihood of male gender development and genitosexual function; (ii) small penis size persisting into adulthood and dissatisfaction with genital appearance jeopardize sexual QoL; (iii) there is no known intervention, apart from phalloplasty, to guarantee that the penis will become normal in size; (iv) early data suggest that the phalloplasty technique considered the gold standard for gender reassignment in the transgender population can also be transferred to 46,XY patients with micropenis; (v) psychological support should be an integral part of management in order to alleviate the distress and impairment of QoL experienced by these individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Further publication of series with large numbers and longer follow-up is needed. Specific outcome kits should be designed to measure more precisely patients' degrees of satisfaction with cosmetic, anatomical, and functional variables. Only if health-care professionals fully appreciate the impact of this condition can optimal care be provided.

The effects of reduction operation with genital lymphedema on the frequency of erysipelas and the quality of life.

Genital lymphedema represents a severe disability for patients particularly when complicated by erysipelas, the most frequent complication. The objectives of this study were: to investigate the frequency of erysipelas in patients with genital lymphedema and genital lymphatic cysts who underwent evaluation for surgical treatment, to observe the influence of resection operations on the frequency of erysipelas, and to measure changes in the quality of life due to the resection. A total of 93 patients with genital lymphedema were studied. All patients underwent integrated care treatment in the Földi Clinic, Hinterzarten and the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery of the University Hospital Freiburg during the period between 1997 and 2007. 44 of these patients underwent surgical treatment of genital lymphedema. The results indicate that lymphatic cysts were the most important risk-aggravating factor for recurrent erysipelas with lymphorrhea in the genital region (p < 0.001). Following the resection operation, however, the number of erysipelas incidents significantly decreased (p < 0.001). In addition, the antibiotic dose could be reduced after surgery (p = 0.039) and an improved quality of life was achieved (p < 0.001).

Membrana e fusão penescrotal / Webbed pênis and penoscrotal fusion

Membrana penescrotal ou fusão penescrotal na forma isolada é uma rara anomalia de etiologia obscura, na qual a pele do pênis e o escroto estão fundidos. A fusão pode ser completa, com total ausência de angulação do pênis e escroto, ou incompleta, com uma membrana de extensão variável ligando o pênis proximal ao escroto. O objetivo da correção cirúrgica é separar o pênis do escroto, o que poderá ser realizado facilmente, utilizando-se plástica com retalhos em ?Z?, plásticas com retalhos ?V-Y?, ou incisão transversal e sutura vertical. Os resultados com a correção precoce são mais gratificantes e auxiliam a prevenir vários problemas psíquicos.

Validation and clinical use of the CECA, a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire for patients with anogenital condylomata acuminata.

The aim of this validation study was to assess the measurement properties of the CECA (Spanish acronym for the Specific Questionnaire for Condylomata Acuminata) in patients with anogenital condylomas. A total of 247 patients aged > 18 years completed the questionnaire on 2 occasions as well as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The CECA questionnaire showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha values of 0.86 and 0.91 in the emotional and sexual activity dimensions) and good testretest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.76 emotional dimension, 0.82 sexual activity dimension). Patients with de novo lesions and those with more extensive lesions and larger number of warts showed poorer health-related quality of life. CECA and DLQI scores correlated moderately. Patients whose lesions cleared at follow-up or with a reduction of >or= 50% showed a better improvement of health-related quality of life. The CECA questionnaire is a valid, reliable and sensitive tool for the assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with anogenital warts.

Resources and costs associated with incidental extracolonic findings from CT colonogaphy: a study in a symptomatic population.

CT colonography (CTC) is increasingly used to detect colonic polyps and cancers, but its impact in practice is also influenced by frequent detection of extracolonic lesions. We have previously documented the frequency and nature of such lesions. The current study was performed to assess the clinical resources and costs associated with the investigation and treatment of extracolonic lesions. We reviewed the reports of 225 consecutive CTC examinations carried out on patients with symptoms of bowel cancer. 116 of the 225 were reported to have one or more extracolonic findings. All 116 patients with an abnormality were followed up for 12-24 months. 24 patients underwent further actions (outpatient attendance, investigations, or surgical procedures) as a result of previously undiagnosed lesions unrelated to bowel cancer. The costs of these further actions were derived from the NHS Reference Costs manual 2004. The total cost for further investigations and interventions was 34,329 pounds sterling and the mean cost over the sample of 225 patients was 153 pounds sterling--more than the cost of the CTC itself. The costs were mainly generated by surgical procedures. Resources consumed as a result of extracolonic findings approximately doubled the costs of diagnostic CTC. These costs, along with inconvenience, anxiety, morbidity and occasionally even mortality suffered by patients, must be offset by the good done to some of those with sub-clinical but potentially lethal diseases.

Combination of qualitative and quantitative methods for developing a new Health Related Quality of Life measure for patients with anogenital warts.

BACKGROUND: Anogenital warts are the most easily recognized sign of genital Human Papilloma Virus infection. The objective was to develop a short, valid and reliable questionnaire to measure Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) in patients with anogenital warts. METHODS: First a literature review was performed to identify relevant papers describing the impact of anogenital warts in HRQL; second the main domains were identified by some experts in a focus group, and third in-depth-semi-structured interviews were conducted in patients with anogenital warts to identify the initial set of items. A qualitative reduction of the initial set of items was performed based on the mean scoring of the experts for the three scales: clarity, frequency and importance. The initial questionnaire was pilot tested in 135 patients. Rasch analysis was performed with the results of the questionnaire in order to refine the instrument. Spearman's correlation was calculated between the initial questionnaire and the reduced version. Additionally the measurement properties (validity and reliability) of the resulting final questionnaire were tested and compared using standard procedures (Cronbach's Alpha and item-total correlation). RESULTS: the main domains identified as affected in patient's life were: sexual, colleagues and partner relationships. After a proper qualitative reduction the initial set of 134 items was reduced to 22. The questionnaire was pilot tested in 135 patients and two dimensions were identified after the multifactorial analysis: emotional dimension and sexual activity dimension. As a result of the Rasch analysis the questionnaire was reduced to 10 items. High correlation was found between the initial and the reduced version for the two dimensions. Cronbach's alpha values were acceptable (0.86). CONCLUSION: The initial 22 items questionnaire was reduced by Rasch analysis to a version of 10 items, with two dimensions: emotional and sexual. The results suggest the adequacy of the 10 items to evaluate HRQL of patients with anogenital warts in a valid and reliable way.

[Giant scrotal lymphedema caused by Milroy's disease]. / Linfedema escrotal gigante por enfermedad de Milroy.

OBJECTIVES: To report a new case of giant scrotal lymphedema due to Milroy's disease, its treatment and outcome. METHODS: A 27-year-old man with generalized congenital lymphedema presented with a giant scrotal mass which interfered with his daily activities and physiological necessities. Physical examination showed a scrotal mass 40 x 40 cm in size and a normal penis. CT scan showed a homogeneous mass, thickened vaginal tunica, and bilateral hydrocele. RESULTS: A surgical procedure was performed including mass resection (5.6 kg), and bilateral hydrocelectomy. Skin defect was covered with skin grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Several therapeutic alternatives have been suggested for Milroy's disease with genital involvement. Nevertheless, when complications are as severe as in the present case, the only valid therapy is surgery.

[Psychological aspects of genital surgery in childhood]. / Psiholoski aspekti decje genitalne hirurgije.

Although the children's urogenital surgery is discipline in expansion which successfully solves even the most complicated anomalies of urogeniral tract, only lately there is enough attention paid on the psychological aspects of these anomalies and surgical operation on genitals. The boys with hypospadias, phimosis and other congenital anomalies represent a risky group for the difficulties in forming the sexual identity and for the appearance of different psychopathology in their childhood and later in life. The surgical operation itself presents a traumatic situation for the child and it may discredit the later psychosexual development of these boys in a great deal. The priority is increasing the sensitivity of children's surgeons for these problems, not only for modernizing the surgical operation, considering the knowledge of normal psychological stages of development, but also for recognizing the psychological phenomena on time and for the consultative joining of the appropriate experts. It is very important to work with these children's parents in view of offering them help for better accepting their child's organic problem, to be less anxious on account of the anomaly and the operation itself and to be more able for better understanding of their child's feelings and his experience. The child's actual psychological condition and his later psychosexual development depend to a great extent on their parent's correct attitude. The caustical survey of the boys with hypospadias illustrates some of the psychological problems which appear with children who had an reparation of hypospadias.

Sex differences in the experience of testing positive for genital chlamydia infection: a qualitative study with implications for public health and for a national screening programme.

OBJECTIVES: To explore men's and women's accounts of chlamydia testing, with a view to understanding sex differences in attitudes and in behaviours of public health importance. METHODS: Semistructured interviews with 24 heterosexual patients (12 men; 12 women) diagnosed with genital chlamydia infection, at a large sexual health clinic in central London were transcribed and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants' expressions revealed important sex differences. Women felt anxious about their future reproductive health, feared stigmatisation, and blamed themselves for contracting chlamydia; whereas men generally reported less concern, were unwilling to disclose their condition to sexual partners, and some men projected attributions of blame onto their partners. Delays in seeking care appeared to be related to perceptions of chlamydia as a relatively minor infection, particularly in men. CONCLUSIONS: Health promotion needs to reflect sex and age differences, emphasising the negative consequences of delayed clinic attendance and exposure to repeat infections. For health professionals to respond appropriately and effectively to increasing numbers of chlamydia infections, there is a need to understand men's avoidant attitudes and behaviours in relation to sexual and reproductive health.

[Andrologic pathology discovered druing conscription screening: how many young men were unaware?]. / Patologia andrologica rilevata in corso di visita di leva: quanti giovani ne erano a conoscenza?

BACKGROUND: In Italy the visit during conscription is a valid instrument for epidemiologic research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of andrologic diseases in a population of 18 years old young Italian men and to estimate in how many of them it was a first diagnosis. METHODS: This randomized study was conducted during 1998 at the Military District of Florence where an andrological visit was performed on 11,649 young men living in Tuscany. An evaluation of external genitals and secondary sexual characters was made. All the visits were performed by the same doctor. They were requested to specificity if they were familiar with the professional figure of the andrologist. RESULTS: Some andrological disorders were found in 3892 (33.4%) of them and in 3469 (89.2%) it was the first diagnosis. Only 3.7% knew the role of the andrologist and 70% didn't know where to apply for their problems. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed a poor familiarity with the figure of the andrologist even though about 1/3 of them should be treated for an andrologic disease which is often undiagnosed. It is personal opinion that these results should make us to think about the consequences that the abolition of male conscription may have given that, for many young Italians, the medical check-up for military service is the first, and often the last, occasion for a control of the genital system.

Assessment and support of sexual functioning in 458 men seeking genitourinary reconstructive surgery.

Horton and associates focused on an aspect of genital reconstructive surgery: restored or improved sexual functioning. The availability a physician skilled in the application of modern sexual counseling has been demonstrated in a group of 458 men to assist in maximizing the benefit of such surgery on patients' sexual and coital success. The sexual therapist was a valued member of the team approach to patient care. The necessity of psychiatric assessment for some was apparent, as it would be in any population of patients seeking plastic or corrective surgery. The association of the sexual therapist with various mental health professionals was important. The recognition of mental and emotional difficulties was primary, but the further skills the sexual therapist brought by application of sexual therapy techniques was also important. Men disadvantaged sexually by genital abnormality gained from a sensitive and educational approach, one that included their partners in the context of open communication and offered specific suggestions for their own specific needs and situations. Sexual therapy techniques and skills instruction added a vital dimension to the complete care of these men seeking correction of genital abnormalities. The techniques and approaches themselves were fairly straightforward and simple, as well as fairly standardized. Described by Masters and Johnson, Jones and others, they were clearly effective in enhancing comfort with sexuality and less pressured approaches to sexual behavior, and ultimately in enhancing sexual functioning itself.