Wael Zohdy

Impact of Varicocelectomy on Gonadal and Erectile Functions in Men with Hypogonadism and Infertility

INTRODUCTION Previous reports linked varicocele in infertile males with Leydig cell dysfunction and hypogonadism. AIM The aim of this study was to determine the impact of varicocelectomy on serum total testosterone (TT) level and erectile function in men with infertility and clinical varicocele. METHODS This study included 141 heterosexual infertile men diagnosed to have clinical varicocele. They were divided into two groups: group 1 (103 men), who had microsurgical varicocelectomy, and group 2 (38 patients), who decided to pursue assisted reproduction procedures. All participants completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 questionnaire and underwent semen analysis. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, and TT were measured both at recruitment time and 6 months later. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Changes in serum TT and IIEF-5 following varicocelectomy. RESULTS In group 1, the mean TT level increased significantly post-varicocelectomy (379.1 ± 205.8 to 450.1 ± 170.2 ng/dL, P < 0.0001). No similar change was found in group 2. Out of the 49 patients in group 1 with hypogonadism at baseline assessment (TT < 300 ng/dL), 37 (75.5%) exhibited a postoperative normalization of TT. However, only 3/15 hypogonadal men (20%) in group 2 had normal testosterone levels at the second visit. IIEF-5 scores improved significantly postoperatively in patients with hypogonadism (17.1 ± 2.6 to 19.7 ± 1.8, P < 0.001). Neither operating vein diameter 3.6 ± 0.57 mm nor testicular size 10.46 ± 3.3 mL correlated with the mean change in TT (71.1 ± 101.2 ng/dL) (r = 0.162, P = 0.183 and r = -0.077, P = 0.536, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Varicocele is associated with hypogonadism in some infertile patients. Varicocelectomy significantly improves serum testosterone in infertile men, especially those with hypogonadism. This improvement in TT level may be reflected in the IIEF score.

Serum testosterone levels in diabetic men with and without erectile dysfunction

Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic disease, affecting 0.5–2% worldwide. The Massachusetts Male Aging Study reported that up to 75% of men with diabetes have a lifetime risk of developing ED. Type 2 diabetes is associated with low total serum testosterone (TT) identified in several cross‐sectional studies and systemic analyses. There is a lack of consensus regarding what constitutes the lowest level of testosterone within the boundaries of normality. In this retrospective study, we sought to evaluate the effect of associated co‐morbidities on serum total testosterone (TT) level in men with type 2 diabetes DM, either with or without erectile dysfunction (ED). Three hundred and ninety‐one patients were evaluated for erectile function using an abridged, five‐item version of the International Index of Erectile Function‐5. Measurements of TT, fasting lipid profile, blood sugar and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were conducted. Penile hemodynamics was assessed using intracavernosal injection and penile duplex study. Hypogonadism was found in 126 cases (33.2%), and normal TT was observed in 254 (66.8%). ED was detected in 119 cases in the hypogonadal group (94.4%) as compared to 155/254 (61.0%) in eugonadal group, P = 0.0001. TT was lower in diabetic men with ED as compared to those with normal erectile function (EF), 392.4 ± 314.9 versus 524.3 ± 140.2 ng dl−1, respectively, P < 0.0001. After exclusion of patients with hypertension and dyslipidaemia, 185 men were evaluated, and there was no difference in the mean TT level among men with ED 490.6 ± 498.2 ng dl−1 versus normal EF 540.6 ± 133.4 ng dl−1 although, HbA1c remained lower in men with normal erectile function. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of TT in men without associated co‐morbidities showed that EF was compromised at TT = 403.5 ng dl−1 or less. Sensitivity of 63.3% and a specificity of 94.0% were detected. At this level, ED was found in 33/38 (86.8%) men with TT 403.5 ng dl−1, whereas ED was observed in 57/147 (38.8%) men with TT ≥ 403.5 ng dl−1 (P < 0.0001). We propose a cut‐off value of 403.5 ng dl−1 of TT blood levels as an indicator for initiation of testosterone replacement therapy in diabetic men with ED. Further prospective controlled trials are recommended.

Clinical Parameters that Predict Successful Outcome in Men with Premature Ejaculation and Inflammatory Prostatitis

INTRODUCTION Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common sexual problem, and chronic prostatitis is an important cause of PE. AIM The aim of this study was to determine which clinical parameters predict successful outcomes following treatment of men with PE and chronic prostatitis (category II and IIIa). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Change in intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and its relation to different clinical parameters. METHODS This study included 210 heterosexual men with PE and inflammatory prostatitis. PE was found to be acquired in 155 men (A-PE) and lifelong in 55 (LL-PE). All participants were asked to complete the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). Sequential microbiologic specimens were obtained. Antibiotics were given to 184 men for 4 weeks, guided by sensitivity tests. Twenty-six men refused or did not comply with the antimicrobial therapy and were used as the untreated group. Clinical reevaluation was conducted after 28 days. RESULTS Two of the 26 men (7.7%) from the untreated group experienced an increase in their ejaculatory latency compared with 109 of the 184 men (59.0%) who received antimicrobial therapy (P = 0.0001). After treatment, 90 of 155 men (58.0%) with A-PE reported ILET > 2 minutes compared with 21 of 55 men (38.2%) with LL-PE (P = 0.012). Based on a receiver operating characteristic curve, antimicrobial therapy is most effective if there are > or =19 pus cells per high-power field (HPF) in the expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) analysis, with a sensitivity of 85.6% and a specificity of 70.7% (area under the curve 0.783, 95% CI 0.716-0.850). Other clinical parameters were not useful in predicting outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Antimicrobial therapy is useful in the treatment of PE associated with inflammatory prostatitis. The treatment is most effective in men with A-PE and when there are > or =19 pus cells per HPF in an EPS analysis.

Yield of diagnostic tests and its impact on cost in adult patients with syncope presenting to a community hospital.

Objectives Total annual costs for syncope-related hospitalizations were

Prevalence of late‐onset hypogonadism in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus

2.4 billion in 2000. The aim of this study was to examine the type and number of tests ordered for patients admitted with syncope and whether these tests helped establish the cause. Methods We studied the records of 1038 patients coded as “syncope” in billing records, and 167 fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The main outcome measures were the diagnostic yield of the ordered tests, the incremental cost/incremental benefit, and the number of admissions that can be averted if risk stratification were used in the evaluation. Results The etiology of the syncope was identified in 48.3% of the patients. Postural blood pressure measurement has the highest diagnostic yield at 58.7%, whereas history taking diagnosed 19.7% of cases. The diagnostic yields of telemetry, electrocardiogram, radionuclide stress test, echocardiography, and troponin measurement were 4.76%, 4.24%, 3.44%, 0.94%, and 0.62%, respectively. Chest x-ray, carotid ultrasonography, 24-hour Holter monitoring, brain computed tomography, and brain magnetic resonance imaging did not yield the diagnosis in any of the patients. Only 1.9% of the money spent in the evaluation of syncope was effective in leading to a definitive diagnosis. The orthostatic blood pressure measurement was ranked first in the incremental cost/incremental benefit ratio and the radionuclide stress test was ranked last (17.03 vs 42,369.0, respectively). Approximately 6% of the patients did not meet the admission criteria. Conclusions Physicians ordered unnecessary tests that have a low yield and are not cost-effective. A standardized algorithmic approach should be the cornerstone in the evaluation of syncope.

Freezing and crushing technique: a new concept for the extraction of testicular spermatozoa from men with nonobstructive azoospermia.

Late‐onset hypogonadism (LOH) or age‐associated testosterone deficiency syndrome is defined as a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advancing age and characterised by symptoms and a deficiency in serum testosterone levels. This condition may result in significant detriment in the quality of life and adversely affect the function of multiple organ systems. It has been suggested that sex steroid hormones may play a causal role in the development of insulin resistance and type II diabetes. This comparative study was aimed at determining the prevalence of LOH in diabetic men with erectile dysfunction and investigating the effect of testosterone replacement therapy on erectile function and on glycaemic control.

Prospective comparative study between microsurgical and conventional testicular sperm extraction in non-obstructive azoospermia: follow-up by serial ultrasound examinations

Ninety samples were harvested from 20 men with nonobstructive azoospermia and divided into two fractions; the first fraction was minced, and the second fraction was exposed to the freezing and crushing (FC) technique. The sperm recovery rate was found to be 21/30 (70%) in the FC fractions compared with 8/30 (26.6%) in the mincing fractions.