Correlation between erectile dysfunction and serum B12 levels: a 136-case cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) involves the inability to initiate or sustain penile erection with sufficient hardness to ensure satisfying sexual relations. Many causes are blamed in the etiology. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the correlation between serum vitamin B12 (vit B12) levels with ED was researched in a homogeneous case group after exclusion of all other predisposing conditions causing ED. METHODS: The study included male patients attending the urology clinic from 2015 to 2022. Patients were prospectively registered to the study. Cases were divided into two groups as low and normal according to vit B12 levels. In the study, vit B12 levels ≤200 mg/dL were accepted as low. The Sexual Health Inventory for Men-5 (SHIM-5) was used to assess the erectile function. The SHIM-5 scores for the groups were compared. All patients with comorbid diseases, medication use, or previous surgical history predisposing toward ED and organic and/or psychogenic causes for ED were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The study included 136 patients abiding by the study criteria among 957 patients. The mean age of cases was 63.35 ± 7.83 years. Mean vit B12 value was 320.74 ± 184.74 mg/dL and 32 cases (23.5%) had inadequate vit B12 (< 200 mg/dL). The mean SHIM-5 value in the group was 15.48 ± 6.71. In the inadequate vit B12 and normal vit B12 groups, the mean SHIM-5 values were 15.30 ± 6.85 and 16.06 ± 6.28, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (t = 0.562, p = 0.575). Vit B12 deficiency was identified in 26.7% of patients with sexual desire disorder (SDD) (n = 90) and 17.4% of those without SDD (X2 = 1.46, p = 0.228). DISCUSSION: Contrary to the general trend in the literature, we found no significant correlation between vit B12 levels and ED. CONCLUSION: There is a need for prospective randomized controlled studies for detailed analysis of the correlation between erectile dysfunction and vit B12.

Effect of targeted prophylaxis with rectal swab on complications after prostate biopsy: prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: For diagnosis of prostate cancer, prostate biopsy accompanied by TRUS is the current method applied today. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare targeted antibiotic prophylaxis, chosen according to rectal swab results before the procedure, with routinely administered prophylaxis and to investigate the effect on infective complications. METHODS: The study included 140 patients with 12-quadrant prostate biopsy accompanied by TRUS in our hospital from 2018 to 2020. The first group had antibiotherapy prophylaxis administered according to the results of rectal swabs before the procedure. The second group had routine ciprofloxacin prophylaxis administered. Patients were followed prospectively for 1 month after the procedure. RESULTS: When the mean age, systemic diseases and distribution in both groups are examined, there was no significant difference observed. Fever (> 38.5 °C) was observed in 3 patients in the rectal swab group (4.3%), while it was identified in 10 people in the control group (14.1%) (p = 0.047). Major complications were observed in 3 people in the rectal swab group (4.3%) and in 7 people in the control group (9.9%) (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study identified that routine administration of targeted antibiotic prophylaxis may be more effective in preventing infective complications compared to standard prophylaxis. Targeted prophylaxis is recommended for risky patients in the guidelines. However, the lack of difference between the groups in terms of age and comorbidities supports the need to administer targeted prophylaxis not just to risky patients but as well as routine practice.