Delayed impacts of COVID-19 infection on unexplained male infertility: 2-year follow-up of normal sperm parameters in unexplained male infertility in KSA.

Purpose: The current study aimed to assess the long-term effect of COVID-19 infection on unexplained male infertility. Materials and Methods: A retrospective comparative study of 134 men attending the infertility outpatient clinic of our institution before exposing to COVID-19 infection in KSA from January 2019 to July 2022. Medical recorded data of these patients who were investigated before COVID-19 infection were retrospectively collected using the hospital's electronic database, including semen analysis, sex hormonal, and ultrasound testicular size, and their data were compared prospectively to collected data after 2-year follow-up. Results: One hundred and thirty-four infertile males who got COVID-19 infection in KSA (median age, 33 years) were assisted retrospectively preinfection and delayed 2 years postinfection (median of 23 months). Of the 134 men, 44 (32.83%) were asymptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group A), 68 (50.74%) had mild-to-moderate symptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group B), and 22 (16.41%) had severe symptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group C). There was no significant change between pre- and postinfections in sperm parameters, sex hormonal level, and testicular size. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients regarding the severity of infections. None of the evaluated parameters differed significantly after infections up to 2 years. Results of this study demonstrate that COVID-19 infection does not have significant changes in sperm parameters, sex hormonal level, and testicular size. Conclusion: The long-term impact of COVID-19 infections has no significant effect on normal sperm parameters, sex hormones, and testicular size in male infertility in KSA.

Mirabegron vs. solifenacin in control of endoscopically inserted ureteral stent-related symptoms.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Mirabegron vs. solifenacin to treat LUTS resulting from DJ-stent insertion. METHODS: A total of 97 patients who had DJ-stent inserted for urinary stone disease were randomly divided into three groups according to received treatment. Group A took Mirabegron 50 mg daily, group B took solifenacin 5 mg daily from the 4th day after stent placement until the stent was removed, and group C only was hydrated well. All patients were evaluated by USSQ and IPSS at 4th day post-insertion of ureteral stent, follow-up day before removing of stent and post-removal of stent. RESULTS: The USSQ urinary symptom scores at day 4 comparing to day of removal of stent showed significant difference in between study groups (32 ± 6-13 ± 6 vs. 31 ± 6-14 ± 4 in Mirabegron and solifenacin, respectively) and without significant difference in control group. The USSQ body pain score significantly decreased in both Mirabegron and solifenacin groups at day of stent removal comparing to day 4 post-insertion of DJ with insignificant decreasing in the control group. Quality of life scores showed significant improving in Mirabegron and solifenacin group, and there was no difference in control group at 4 and 14 days after treatment. No severe complications were observed in either group. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: In our series, we indicate that Mirabegron and solifenacin can be used to improve symptoms caused by the insertion of DJ-stent without significant difference.

The impact of surgical hemorrhoidectomy on male sexual function: A preliminary study.

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent condition among men all over the world and commonly associated with undiagnosed medical diseases as chronic pelvic pain and hemorrhoid. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to study the impact of surgical hemorrhoidectomy on sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction (ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective manner, we studied the effect of surgical hemorrhoidectomy on erectile function (EF) in male patients with ED. Hemorrhoidectomy was carried out in 82 patients with clinical hemorrhoid associated with ED (Group 1) and compared with 81 patients without operative intervention (Group 2; control). The primary efficacy variable was the mean change in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. RESULTS: In Group 1, the IIEF questionnaire increased significantly after hemorrhoidectomy, from 15.56 to 27.37 (P < 0.001), indicating improvement of EF. Thirty-six patients (41.1%) showed improvement of EF compared to 5.3% in the control group (P < 0.001). In Group I, but not in Group II, IIEF values increased significantly when compared with preoperative values (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We concluded that surgical hemorrhoidectomy is clearly related to improvement of EF in male hemorrhoid patients with ED.