The association of socioeconomic status with semen parameters in a cohort of men in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic differences are present within the population of men who experience infertility and seek treatment. OBJECTIVE: To study the association of socioeconomic status with semen parameters in a group of men using mail-in semen analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 11,134 men that used mail-in semen analyses from a fertility company were identified. Their demographic information, semen parameters, and ZIP codes were collected. Area deprivation index (ADI) was used as a proxy for socioeconomic status and was calculated for each individual using their ZIP codes in order to measure their level of socioeconomic deprivation. A higher ADI signifies a more deprived area. The association between ADI and the semen parameters of this group was measured using linear regression analysis adjusted for age. RESULTS: 11,134 men were included in the study with a median age of 35 years (interquartile range (IQR): 32-40) and a median ADI of 83 (IQR: 68-97). The cohort had a median sperm concentration of 31 million/mL (IQR: 14-59), median total sperm count of 123 million (IQR: 57-224), median total motile sperm of 35 million (IQR: 9-95), median total motility of 32% (IQR: 15-52), progressive motility of 22% (IQR: 9-38), and morphology percent normal of 4% (IQR: 2-7). Higher ADI, indicating lower socioeconomic status, was negatively associated with various semen parameters, including sperm concentration, total sperm count, total motile sperm, and total and progressive motility. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Men who live in more deprived areas are more likely to have worse semen parameters. Further research is needed to thoroughly examine the impact of socioeconomic status on male fertility. A comprehensive approach that targets upstream social, economic, and healthcare factors can possibly alleviate the negative association of socioeconomic status with fertility and semen parameters.

Novel Antireflux "RELIEF" Stent to Prevent Vesicoureteral Reflux.

OBJECTIVE: To assess efficacy, comfort, and symptoms of a novel ureteral stent (RELIEF) substituting the distal semirigid coil of a traditional double-J for a floating, monofilament tether allowing coaptation of the ureteral orifice. Ureteral instrumentation notoriously cause discomfort, urgency, frequency, dysuria, and hematuria; prolonged morbidity is likely related to stent-associated vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). We hypothesized this design would eliminate VUR, be safe and provide comfort following intervention. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients within a single institution were enrolled. Passive cystography was performed pre- and post-stent placement assessing VUR. Patients completed Ureteric Stent Symptoms Questionnaires (USSQ) before placement (baseline), postop day 1, and day of removal. RESULTS: Twenty RELIEF stents were placed (11 female and 9 male). 95% demonstrated no VUR following placement. No unexpected adverse complications occurred; 1 patient opted for early stent removal for significant discomfort. Average total USSQ scores demonstrated statistically significant improvement between first and third surveys (P < .001). Statistically significant improvement in body pain, general health, and work performance scores were noted as well (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The RELIEF stent eliminates VUR with similar stent-related morbidity and overall well-tolerance. RELIEF-associated USSQ scores were below published mean symptom scores for standard double-J stents and appear safe in this preliminary clinical trial.

The Future State of Race/Ethnicity in Urology: Urology Workforce Projection From 2021-2061.

OBJECTIVE: To project the proportion of the urology workforce that is from under-represented in medicine (URiM) groups between 2021-2061. METHODS: Demographic data were obtained from AUA Census and ACGME Data Resource Books. The number of graduating urology residents and proportion of URiM graduating residents were characterized with linear models. Stock and Flow models were used to project future population numbers and proportions of URiM practicing urologists, contingent on assumptions regarding trainee demographics, retirement trends, and growth in the field. RESULTS: Currently, there is an increase in the percentage of URiM graduates by 0.145% per year. If historical trends continue, URiM urologists will likely comprise 16.2% of urology residency graduates and 13.3% of the practicing urological workforce in 2061. These percentages would constitute an underrepresentation of URiM urologists relative to the projected 44.2% of the U.S. population who would identify as American Indian/Alaskan Native, Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander by 2060.1 An increase in the percentage of URiM graduates by 0.845% per year would result in 44.2% URiM urology residency graduates and 26.1% URiM practicing urologists by 2061. An interactive app was designed to allow for a range of assumptions to be explored and for future data to be incorporated. CONCLUSION: URiM physician representation within urology over the next 40years will remain disproportionately low compared to that of the projected share of people of color in the general U.S. POPULATION: In order to achieve the AUA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals, a concerted effort to implement interventions to recruit, train, and retain a generation of racially diverse urologists appears necessary.

Uncovering the interhospital price variations for vasectomies in the United States.

Due to the historic lack of transparency in healthcare pricing in the United States, the degree of price variation for vasectomy is largely unknown. Our study aims to assess characteristics of hospitals reporting prices for vasectomy as well as price variation associated with hospital factors and insurance status. A cross-sectional analysis was performed in October, 2022 using the Turquoise Database which compiles publicly available hospital pricing data. The database was queried for vasectomy prices to identify the cash (paid by patients not using insurance), commercial (negotiated by private insurers) and Medicare and Medicaid prices for vasectomies. Hospital characteristics of those that reported a price for vasectomy and those that did not were compared and pricing differences based on hospital ownership and reimbursement source were determined using multivariable linear regression analysis. Overall, only 24.7% (1657/6700) of hospitals reported a price for vasectomy. Those that reported a price had more beds (median 117 vs 80, p < 0.001), more physicians (median 1745 vs 1275, p < 0.001). They were also more likely to be nonprofit hospitals (77% vs 14%, p < 0.001) and to be in well-resourced areas (ADI 91.7 vs 94.4, p < 0.001). Both commercial prices and cash prices for vasectomy were lower at nonprofit hospitals than at for-profit hospitals (commercial: $1959.47 vs $2861.56, p < 0.001; cash: $1429.74 vs $3185.37, p < 0.001). Our study highlights the current state of pricing transparency for vasectomy in the United States. Patients may be counseled to consider seeking vasectomy at a nonprofit hospital to reduce their costs, especially when paying with cash. These findings also suggest a need for new policies to target areas with decreased price transparency to reduce price disparities.

Driving Time and Compliance With Postvasectomy Semen Analysis Drop-Off.

OBJECTIVE: Current literature demonstrates low rates of compliance with postvasectomy semen analysis (PVSA). This study sought to determine factors that correlate with noncompliance with PVSA. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients who underwent vasectomy within our institution. ArcGIS was used to securely calculate the shortest driving time from each patient's home to the single PVSA drop-off site. Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests analyzed characteristics of patients who did and did not submit PVSA samples, and odds ratios were calculated via multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 515 of 850 patients met inclusion criteria and 219 (42.5%) of these had no recorded PVSA. Of those with a PVSA, 59% were completed within 16 weeks. Compliance with PVSA was associated with a shorter median driving time (30.6 minutes vs 34.2 minutes), more vasectomy in the operating room (19% vs 10%), and attending a follow-up appointment (40% vs 17%) (P < .005 for all). Age at vasectomy, race, ethnicity, BMI, paternity, and location of preoperative consultation did not significantly differ between the groups. Each 30 minutes of driving time was associated with a 48% reduction in the odds of a patient submitting PVSA at any time (OR 0.52 [0.37, 0.73]). CONCLUSION: As driving time to a drop-off center appears to be a significant barrier to PVSA compliance, providers should consider alternative collection methods such as at-home or in-office semen analysis.

The Variability of Semen Parameters With Sexual Abstinence Using Mail-in Sperm Testing Is Similar to That Seen With Traditional In-Office Semen Analysis.

The impact of ejaculatory abstinence on semen parameters using in-office semen analyses has been well-established; however, their variability has not been evaluated in men using mail-in semen analysis kits. Our study aims to describe how the sperm parameters using mail-in semen analysis tests change with abstinence and validate their equivalence to those seen with in-office semen analysis tests. We retrospectively reviewed the semen analysis results of men using mail-in semen analysis tests provided by Give Legacy, Inc (Legacy) facilities from 2019 to 2021. We collected their demographic information, abstinence duration, and semen parameters (conventional and kinematic) from their records. Semen samples were categorized as normozoospermic and oligozoospermic based on concentration. The shape of the relationship between abstinence duration and semen parameters was assessed via generalized additive models. We have collected 3,469 unique samples provided by 2,609 (75%) normozoospermic men and 860 (25%) oligozoospermic from all over the United States. In normozoospermic men, longer periods of sexual abstinence were linked to higher levels of sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total motile sperm. However, there was a decline in both total and progressive motility. Conversely, in oligozoospermic men, extended periods of abstinence led to a rapid decline in total motile sperm, as well as total and progressive motility. There was no significant correlation observed between sexual abstinence and variations in sperm morphology. Our study shows that variability of sperm parameters with abstinence, as measured through mail-in semen analysis tests, is comparable to the patterns observed with conventional in-office sperm testing.

The Racial and Socioeconomic Characteristics of Men Using Mail-in Semen Testing Kits in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the racial and socioeconomic characteristics of men using mail-in semen testing kits for their fertility care in the United States over 3 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted of men who used mail-in semen analyses from a single direct-to-consumer (DTC) fertility platform between 2020 and 2022. Age, race/ethnicity, place of residence, and education level of men using mail-in semen analysis kits was collected from user questionnaires. Zip code level socioeconomic status was estimated using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI). These characteristics were compared to the overall population of the United States. RESULTS: 4342 men used mail-in semen analyses from a single DTC fertility company between 2020 and 2022 and completed the questionnaire. The median age of this cohort was 36 (IQR: 32,40) years. The group consisted of predominantly white men (72%), with 7.9% Asian and only 5.1% Black, 3.2% Hispanic, 0.4% Indian American, 0.1% pacific islander, 5.8% mixed race, and 2.8% other groups. 45.8% of the group had completed college, 22% had a master's degree, and 9% had a doctoral degree. The mean ADI was 83.47 (SD 21.44) compared to the average ADI of 100 for the general US population (P < .005). CONCLUSION: DTC mail-in semen analyses have the potential to improve access to affordable fertility care. Racial and ethnic minorities and lower socioeconomic classes are underrepresented for men seeking DTC fertility testing as they are for men presenting for in-office fertility care. Additional studies are needed to determine the factors responsible for these discrepancies.

Favorable Safety Outcomes of Delayed Primary Closure of Large Fournier's Gangrene Skin Defects.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and safety of delayed primary closure (DPC) in Fournier's gangrene (FG) patients with large genital defects. METHODS: A single institution retrospective review was performed from October 2020 to December 2022 of adult males that underwent DPC for FG. All patients underwent standard medical management and were assessed for DPC eligibility by the urology service. Clinical data on patient factors and outcomes were collected, and descriptive statistics were assessed. RESULTS: Of 16 patients that underwent DPC, the average age was 61.1years and body mass index was 34.6 kg/m2. Median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 3.5 (IQR 2-5.3) and Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index was 6.5 (IQR 4.8-8). Median number of debridements was 2.5 (IQR 2-3), with a time to closure of 6.5days (IQR 3-11) and length of stay of 13days (IQR 9-16.3). Mean genital defect size was 119 cm2 (range 44-346 cm2). Eight patients (50%) were closed using scrotal flaps alone while other patients had advancement flaps using the inner thigh, lower abdomen, and perineum. The majority of patients were discharged home directly (63%). There were four Clavien-Dindo III complications: two partial flap necrosis, one wound dehiscence, and one instance of bleeding. Of patients with follow-up, 6/15 (40.0%) had no known complications. CONCLUSION: DPC is safe and effective for a range of patients presenting with FG. Patients with large defects may benefit from less complex wound management and direct discharge home.

Trends in testosterone prescription during the release of society guidelines.

The American Urological Association and Endocrine Society published guidelines for the management of testosterone deficiency in 2018. Testosterone prescription patterns have varied widely recently, owing to increased public interest and emerging data on the safety of testosterone therapy. The effect of guideline publication on testosterone prescribing is unknown. Thus, we aimed to assess testosterone prescription trends using Medicare prescriber data. Specialties with over 100 testosterone prescribers from 2016-2019 were analyzed. Nine specialties were included (in order of descending prescription frequency): family practice, internal medicine, urology, endocrinology, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, general practice, infectious disease, and emergency medicine. The number of prescribers grew by a mean of 8.8% annually. There was a significant increase in average claims per provider from 2016 to 2019 (26.4 to 28.7, p < 0.0001), with the steepest increase occurring between 2017 and 2018 when the guidelines were released (27.2 to 28.1, p = 0.015). The largest increase in claims per provider was among urologists. Advanced practice providers comprised 7.5% of Medicare testosterone claims in 2016 and 11.6% in 2019. While no causation can be established, these results suggest that professional society guidelines are associated with increasing numbers of testosterone claims per provider, especially among urologists. The changing demographics of prescribers justifies targeted education and further research.

How Female Is the Future of Urology? Projecting Various Trajectories of the United States Urology Workforce.

OBJECTIVE: To project the number and proportion of women in the urology workforce using recent demographic trends and develop an app to explore updated projections using future data. METHODS: Demographic data were obtained from AUA Censuses and ACGME Data Resource Books. The proportion of female graduating urology residents was characterized with a logistic growth model. "Stock and Flow" models were used to project future population numbers and proportions of female practicing urologists, accounting for trainee demographics, retirement trends, and growth in the field. RESULTS: Assuming growth in urology graduate numbers and continued logistic growth in the proportion of women, 10,957 practicing urologists (38%) will be female by 2062. If the rate of women entering urology residency stagnates, 7038 urologists (24%) will be female. If the retirement rates for women in urology change to mirror those of men and the proportion of female residents continues to experience logistic growth, 11,178 urologists (38%) will be female. An interactive app was designed to allow for a range of assumptions and future data: https://stephenrho.shinyapps.io/uro-workforce/. CONCLUSION: Workforce projections should incorporate recent growth in numbers of female residents. If current growth continues, 38% of urologists will be female by 2062. The app allows for exploration of different scenarios and can be updated with new data. The projections demonstrate the need for targeted efforts to recruit women into urology, address disparities within the field, and work toward retaining female urologists. We must continue working toward an equitable future workforce that can address the impending shortage of urologists.

Surgical Outcomes at a Single Institution of Infrapubic Insertion of Malleable Penile Prosthesis in Transmen.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our technique for the infrapubic approach for malleable penile prosthesis (MPP) insertion after phalloplasty in transgender men and review surgical outcomes. METHODS: The infrapubic prosthesis insertion technique involves a horizontal incision anterior to the pubic symphysis, allowing dissection of the neophallus tract and anchor site on the pubic symphysis. Surgical outcomes by a single surgeon using a Spectra or Genesis MPP between October 2017 and May 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Complications were categorized into erosions, infections, device detachment, device malposition, pain or activity limitation, urethral injury, and flap loss. Implant survival kinetics were assessed by evaluating time to surgical revision. RESULTS: Forty patients underwent infrapubic MPP insertion; 35 patients had a prior radial forearm free flap (RFFF) and 5 had a prior anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) phalloplasty. Of 30 patients who maintained follow-up, mean follow-up was 34.9 months. Complications were not mutually exclusive, with 7 implant detachments from the anchor site, 3 malpositions, 2 with pain/activity limitation, and 1 infection. Surgical revision was required in 12/30 patients (40%). There were no neophallus erosions, flap loss, nor urethral injuries. More complications occurred with the Spectra (9/17 or 53%) than the Genesis MPP (3/13 or 23%), but this was not statistically significant (P = .10). CONCLUSION: Infrapubic insertion in transmen after phalloplasty using commercially available MPPs is safe compared with other post-phalloplasty penile prosthesis insertion techniques, with similarly high surgical revision rates. Further study of techniques is needed to improve outcomes after penile prosthesis insertion in transmen.

Is Reddit a reliable source for information on erectile dysfunction treatment?

Patients may turn to social media websites, such as Reddit, for information on erectile dysfunction prior to seeking care from a physician. We sought to identify, characterize, and assess the quality of the erectile dysfunction treatments discussed on the highly influential Reddit website. We assessed 2634 comments from two subreddits, r/AskMen and r/ErectileDysfunction, for positive and negative statements regarding treatments for erectile dysfunction. A total of 45 unique treatments were discussed and consisted of changes in sexual behavior (30%), lifestyle changes (29%), medical interventions (23%), talking with a partner about ED (10%), and use of supplements (8%). Only 24.4% of all treatments discussed are in line with current American Urological Association guidelines. Only 43.8% of all positive statements made endorsed a guidelines-based treatment, indicating a high rate of self-proclaimed success with alternative therapies. Our results indicate that there is active discussion of erectile dysfunction treatment on Reddit with a wide range of therapies recommended, however, the majority of the recommendations are not supported by strong clinical evidence.

Revision Labiaplasty After Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty Using Costal Cartilage Allograft.

BACKGROUND: Gender-affirming surgery leads to high satisfaction for patients; however, patients often require revision surgery. Revision labiaplasty is one of the most common surgeries following vaginoplasty. The labia minora commonly become incorporated into the labia majora and lose definition even after revision leading to patient dissatisfaction. DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUE: We propose a technique of incorporating cadaveric costal cartilage allograft into the revised labia minora to increase the definition. PATIENT AND METHODS: The procedure was demonstrated in a 38-year-old MTF patient who had previously undergone inversion vaginoplasty. The cartilage allograft was incorporated within the labia minora flaps dur ing labiaplasty. RESULTS: The patient had lasting definition of her labia minora post-operatively at 6 weeks without adverse effects. CONCLUSION: We believe that this technique may be effective and safe in patients requesting more defined labia minora after vaginoplasty.

Practice Comparison and Cost Analysis of Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine Platforms Offering Testosterone Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Direct-to-consumer telemedicine platforms have expanded their reach to include services for the evaluation and treatment of testosterone deficiency. AIM: We aim to (i) evaluate the treatment practices and costs associated with receiving testosterone therapy through direct-to-consumer telemedicine platforms; (ii) compare these practices to the American Urological Association guidelines; and (iii) compare the cost of receiving similar care at a tertiary center. METHODS: Google was queried to identify telemedicine platforms offing testosterone therapy. Websites were analyzed for information regarding the initial consultation, initial laboratory evaluation, follow up, treatment monitoring regimen, and associated costs of receiving testosterone therapy. The costs for similar services at a tertiary care center were estimated using a single institution's online cost estimator for a patient with no insurance, private insurance, or Medicare. OUTCOMES: Evaluation and treatment practices of each platform were compared to the American Urological Association guidelines, and a cost analysis was completed for the cost of (i) undergoing an initial evaluation, and (ii) receiving 12 months of treatment through each platform and at a tertiary center. RESULTS: Three online platforms met inclusion criteria: Hone, Regenex Health, and TRT Nation. The initial evaluation and follow up of patients on TTh were similar between the online platforms and practice guidelines. The costs of the initial consultation were lowest for the patient with Medicare at a tertiary center and via the telemedicine platforms. Conversely, the cost of 12 months of intramuscular testosterone treatment was highest via the telemedicine platforms, ranging from $1,586 to $4,200, as compared to the tertiary center, which ranged from $134.01 to $1,333.04 with varying insurance models. Costs of ongoing treatment with transdermal testosterone are similarly higher via DTC platforms. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Patients with private insurance or Medicare should be counseled that ongoing treatment through telemedicine platforms will likely incur a greater cost than receiving such care at a tertiary center that can utilize insurance coverage. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Practice and cost comparisons include accurate, up-to-date information based on each platform's website. Limitations include the analysis of only three telemedicine platforms, and the ability to describe only the information provided on each website. In addition, cost estimates for the tertiary center only include a single type of private and public insurance, limiting generalizability. CONCLUSION: This observational study indicates that direct-to-consumer telemedicine platforms are largely following practice guidelines in the evaluation and treatment of testosterone, however, there is a high cost associated with ongoing treatment. Jesse E, Sellke N, Rivero M-J, et al. Practice Comparison and Cost Analysis of Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine Platforms Offering Testosterone Therapy. J Sex Med 2022;19:1608-1615.

Testosterone deficiency in male organ transplant recipients.

Testosterone deficiency is known to affect men with increasing incidence throughout their lifespan. The clinical manifestations of testosterone deficiency, in turn, negatively impact men's quality of life and perception of overall health. The interaction of chronic systemic disease and androgen deficiency represent an area for potential intervention. Here, we explore the topic of testosterone deficiency amongst men with end-stage organ failure requiring transplantation in order to elucidate the underlying pathophysiology of androgen deficiency of chronic disease and discuss whether intervention, including testosterone replacement and organ transplantation, improve patients' outcomes and quality of life.

Glycemic control is not associated with neurocognitive decline after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Whether perioperative glycemic control is associated with neurocognitive decline (NCD) after cardiac surgery was examined. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing cardiac surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were screened for NCD preoperatively and on postoperative day 4 (POD4). Indices of glucose control were examined. Serum cytokine levels were measured and human transcriptome analysis was performed on blood samples. Neurocognitive data are presented as a change from baseline to POD4 in a score standardized with respect to age and gender. RESULTS: A decline in neurocognitive function was identified in 73% (22/30) of patients on POD4. There was no difference in neurocognitive function between patients with elevated HbA1c levels preoperatively (p = .973) or elevated fasting blood glucose levels the morning of surgery (>126 mg/dl, p = .910), or a higher maximum blood glucose levels during CPB (>180 mg/dl, p = .252), or higher average glucose levels during CPB (>160 mg/dl, p = .639). Patients with postoperative leukocytosis (WBC ≥ 10.5) had more NCD when compared to their baseline function (p = .03). Patients with elevated IL-8 levels at 6 h postoperatively had a significant decline in NCD at POD4 (p = .04). Human transcriptome analysis demonstrated unique and differential patterns of gene expression in patients depending on the presence of DM and NCD. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative glycemic control does not have an effect on NCD soon after cardiac surgery. The profile of gene expression was altered in patients with NCD with or without diabetes.