Relationship between Hypogonadal Symptoms, Sexual Dysfunction and Chronic Prostatitis in Middle-Aged Men by Self-Reported Questionnaires, even without Biochemical Testosterone Deficiency

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in men with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH).MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the data of 408 enrolled men between January 2014 and January 2019. All participants completed the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male (ADAM), international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5), National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), and premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT) questionnaires. Participants were divided by ADAM positive (ADAM+: Group 1) and ADAM negative (ADAM−: Group 2).RESULTS: Total of 289 subjects were in Group 1 and 119 were in Group 2. The mean age was 53.8±7.8 years. The mean total testosterone was 4.8±1.2 ng/dL and showed no differences between the groups (p=0.839). In Groups 1 and 2, ED (IIEF≤21) was identified in 233 (80.6%) versus 37 (31.1%), respectively (p<0.001). The prevalence of PE (PEDT≥9) was 112 (38.7%) versus 13 (10.9%) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p<0.001). However, PE (intravaginal ejaculation latency time<5 minutes) showed no differences between the groups (p=0.863). The incidence of chronic prostatitis (NIH-CPSI pain score≥4) showed significant differences with 49 (17.0%) versus 8 (6.7%) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.007). IIEF-5 total score showed the significantly highest negative correlation (r=−0.313, p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Those who complained of LOH symptoms and positive results in the ADAM questionnaire need to be assessed concurrently with the above questionnaires. This could aid useful to detect of ED, PE, and chronic prostatitis co-occurrence.

Metabolic Syndrome Is an Independent Risk Factor for Acquired Premature Ejaculation

PURPOSE: To determine the role of metabolic syndrome (MetS) as a risk factor for acquired premature ejaculation (PE) after considering the various risk factors, such as lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and prostatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2012 to January 2017, records of 1,029 men were analyzed. We performed multivariate analysis to identify risk factors for PE, including the covariate of age, marital status, International Prostate Symptom Score, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score, National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score, serum testosterone levels, and all components of MetS. Acquired PE was defined as self-reported intravaginal ejaculation latency time ≤3 minutes, and MetS was diagnosed using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. RESULTS: Of 1,029 men, 74 subjects (7.2%) had acquired PE and 111 (10.8%) had MetS. Multivariate analysis showed that the IIEF overall satisfaction score (odds ratio [OR]=0.67, p<0.001), NIH-CPSI pain score (OR=1.07, p=0.035), NIH-CPSI voiding score (OR=1.17, p=0.032), and presence of MetS (OR=2.20, p=0.022) were significantly correlated with the prevalence of acquired PE. In addition, the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Dysfunction scores and ejaculation anxiety scores progressively decreased as the number of components of MetS increased. CONCLUSIONS: MetS may be an independent predisposing factor for the development of acquired PE. Effective prevention and treatment of MetS could also be important for the prevention and treatment of acquired PE.

Unilateral Multifocal Type 2 Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma in Adolescence. A Case Report

Papillary renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) can be classified into 2 subtypes (types 1 and 2), depending on their characteristic cytogenetics, immunostaining profiles, and gene-expression profiles. Compared with type 1 papillary RCCs, type 2 papillary RCCs are relatively rare and show more aggressive features. For those reasons, they are associated with a worse prognosis. A 13-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital with right kidney mass. A laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was performed, and results of the histopathologic examination confirmed it to be type 2 papillary RCC. Type 2 papillary RCCs are rarely found in unilateral and multifocal forms, especially in adolescence. Here, we report the unique case of papillary RCC at a young age.

The Within-Group Discrimination Ability of the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment Score for Men with Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND: Significant clinical heterogeneity within contemporary risk group is well known, particularly for those with intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IRPCa). Our study aimed to analyze the ability of the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) score to discern between favorable and non-favorable risk in patients with IRPCa. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 203 IRPCa patients who underwent extraperitoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) performed by a single surgeon. Pathologic favorable IRPCa was defined as a Gleason score ≤ 6 and organ-confined stage at surgical pathology. The CAPRA score was compared with two established criteria for the within-group discrimination ability. RESULTS: Overall, 38 patients (18.7% of the IRPCa cohort) had favorable pathologic features after RARP. The CAPRA score significantly correlated with established criteria I and II and was inversely associated with favorable pathology (all P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the discriminative ability between favorable and non-favorable pathology was 0.679 for the CAPRA score and 0.610 and 0.661 for established criteria I and II, respectively. During a median 37.8 (interquartile range, 24.6–60.2) months of follow-up, 66 patients (32.5%) experienced biochemical recurrence (BCR). Cox regression analysis revealed that the CAPRA score, as a continuous sum score model or 3-group risk model, was an independent predictor of BCR after RARP. CONCLUSION: The within-group discrimination ability of preoperative CAPRA score might help in patient counseling and selecting optimal treatments for those with IRPCa.

The Effect of Alcohol Administration on the Corpus Cavernosum

PURPOSE: We studied the effects of alcohol administration on the corpus cavernosum (CC) using an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CC sections and the aortic ring of rabbits were used in an organ bath study. After acute alcohol administration, changes in blood alcohol concentration and electrical stimulation induced intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) percentage were compared in rats. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in the CC were measured using immunoassays. After chronic alcohol administration, ICP/MAP percentage, cAMP and cGMP were compared in rats. Histological changes were examined using the Masson trichrome stain and the Sircol collagen assay. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression was examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: Alcohol relaxed the CC in a dose-dependent manner, and the relaxation response was suppressed when pretreated with propranolol, indomethacin, glibenclamide, and 4-aminopyridine. In rats with acute alcohol exposure, the cAMP level in the CC was significantly greater than was observed in the control group (p<0.05). In rats with chronic alcohol exposure, however, changes in cAMP and cGMP levels were insignificant, and the CC showed markedly smaller areas of smooth muscle, greater amounts of dense collagen (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis of eNOS showed a less intense response, and western blotting showed that eNOS expression was significantly lower in this group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Acute alcohol administration activated the cAMP pathway with positive effects on erectile function. In contrast, chronic alcohol administration changed the ultrastructures of the CC and suppressed eNOS expression, thereby leading to erectile dysfunction.

The Correlation between Body Mass Index and Routine Parameters in Men Over Fifty

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), and prostate volume (PV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Height, weight, PSA levels, PV, and IPSS were analyzed in 15,435 patients who underwent a prostate examination between 2001 and 2014. Patients aged <50 years or with a PSA level ≥10 ng/mL were excluded. The relationships between BMI and PSA, IPSS, QoL, and PV were analyzed by a scatter plot, one-way analysis of variance, and the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean age was 71.95±7.63 years, the mean BMI was 23.59±3.08 kg/m2, the mean PSA level was 1.45±1.45 ng/mL, the mean IPSS was 15.53±8.31, the mean QoL score was 3.48±1.25, and the mean PV was 29.72±14.02 mL. PSA, IPSS, and QoL showed a tendency to decrease with increasing BMI, and there were statistically significant differences for each parameter (p≤0.001). PV showed a significant tendency to increase with BMI (p < 0.001). In the correlation analysis, BMI showed a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.001) with PSA, IPSS, and QoL, although the correlations were very weak. In contrast, BMI showed a significant correlation with PV (p < 0.001), with a meaningful Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.124. CONCLUSIONS: Higher BMI was associated with lower PSA levels and higher IPSS and QoL scores. Meanwhile, PV increased with BMI. Although obese individuals had a greater PV, obesity did not aggravate lower urinary tract symptoms.

Impact of the ASA Physical Status Score on Adjuvant Chemotherapy Eligibility and Survival of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Patients: a Multicenter Study

The aim of the present multi-institutional study was to assess the influence of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) classification on adjuvant chemotherapy eligibility and survival in a multi-institutional cohort of patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). We retrospectively reviewed data from 416 patients who underwent RNU for UTUC at four Korean institutions between 2001 and 2013. The ASA-PS classification was obtained from the anesthesia chart. Locally advanced UTUC was defined as ≥ pT3 and/or pN1 disease. The influence of ASA-PS score on survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analyses and a multivariate Cox regression model. Patients with a higher ASA-PS class were less likely to be eligible for adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced UTUC (P = 0.016). Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that the high-risk ASA-PS group has a poorer overallsurvival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) compared to low risk ASA-PS groups in both the total and locally advanced UTUC cohorts. Based on multivariate Cox regression analysis, the high-risk ASA-PS category was an independent predictor for overall mortality (OM) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.919; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.017–3.619; P = 0.044) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) (HR, 2.120; 95% CI, 1.023–4.394; P = 0.043). In conclusion, high-risk ASA-PS score was independently associated with a lower survival rate in patients with UTUC after RNU. However, the influence of ASA-PS classification on survival was limited to locally advanced UTUC. The lower eligibility of patients in the high-risk ASA category for adjuvant chemotherapy may contribute to the lower survival rate in this group.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Premature Ejaculation by Urologists in South Korea

PURPOSE: This study discusses the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE) using various approaches with the goal of evaluating the methods of diagnosis and treatment of PE in clinical practice in 2014 in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed 200 urologists and andrologists who treated patients with PE from July 1, 2014 to July 29, 2014 using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of 4 parts: disease, comorbidities, diagnosis, and treatment. Using the answers to this survey, current trends in the diagnosis and treatment of PE were investigated using weighted averages. RESULTS: The median number per month of patients who were diagnosed with PE was 14 patients (interquartile range, 7~24). The time to ejaculation necessary for a diagnosis of PE was considered to be <1 minute by 12% of respondents, <2 minutes by 27%, <3 minutes by 28%, <5 minutes by 13%, and 20% stated that diagnosis was based on a patient's subjective complaint. The treatment methods preferred by PE patients were reported to be pharmacological treatment (87%), surgical treatment (9.5%), and behavioral management (3.5%). The treatment methods used by respondents were pharmacological treatment (77%), surgical treatment (15%), and behavioral management (14%). The most commonly used pharmacological treatment was the oral administration of dapoxetine (97%). CONCLUSIONS: In 2014 in South Korea, various methods were used to diagnose and treat PE. The most commonly used treatment for PE was the oral administration of dapoxetine. It was also found that surgical treatment was applied in some cases.

Pathologic Outcomes in Men with Low-risk Prostate Cancer Who Are Potential Candidates for Contemporary, Active Surveillance Protocols

The purpose of this study was to determine whether contemporary active surveillance (AS) protocols could sufficiently discriminate significant from indolent tumors in men with low-risk prostate cancer. We retrospectively analyzed 312 patients with low-risk prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy. After exclusion of patients with fewer than 10 cores taken at biopsy and those who received neo-adjuvant treatment, 205 subjects satisfied the final inclusion criteria. Five widely accepted AS protocols were employed in this study. A total of 82.0% of the patients met the inclusion criteria of at least one protocol, and 18% did not meet any criteria of published AS protocols. A significant proportion of patients had non-organ-confined disease (8.6% to 10.6%) or a Gleason score of 7 or greater (18.6% to 23.9%) between the different AS criteria. Among patients who did not meet any AS criteria, 32.4% of patients had a pathologically insignificant cancer. Our results indicated a significant adverse pathology in patients who met the contemporary AS protocols. On the other hand, some patients in whom expectant management would be appropriate did not meet any criteria of published AS protocols. None of the clinical or histological criteria reported to date is able to sufficiently discriminate aggressive tumors from indolent ones.

Efficacy of Long-Term Daily Dosage of Alfuzosin 10 mg upon Sexual Function of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Patients: Two-Year Prospective Observational Study

PURPOSE: To identify sexual function improvement associated with alfuzosin (10 mg daily for 2 years). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 30 men with lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) who visited Gyeongsang National University Hospital between 2010 and 2012. At first visit, urinalysis, prostate specific antigen, transrectal ultrasound, and uroflowmetry were performed. The nternational Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire Ejaculation Function Domain (MSHQ-EjFD) questionnaires were administered, and the subjects answered the same questionnaires at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Twelve men completed of the entire study. After administration of alfuzosin, the median IPSS at first visit, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years was 18.00 (interquatile range [IQR]: 14.00~29.75), 20.00 (IQR: 11.50~30.00), 15.50 (IQR: 8.50~25.25), 14.50 (IQR: 9.25~19.50), and 11.50 (IQR: 5.00~17.75), respectively, which showed an improvement. The median QoL at the same times was 4.50 (IQR: 4.00~5.00), 4.50 (IQR: 4.00~5.00), 3.00 (IQR: 2.00~4.00), 3.50 (IQR: 2.25~4.00), and 3.00 (IQR: 1.00~3.00), respectively, and also showed improvement. Likewise, the median IIEF was 36.50 (IQR: 24.50~46.75), 37.50 (IQR: 26.75~47.25), 45.50 (IQR: 35.00~59.75), 48.50 (IQR: 34.75~62.75), and 47.50 (IQR: 43.25~61.00), while the median MSHQ-EjFD was 19.00 (IQR: 12.0~24.75), 19.50 (IQR: 13.50~27.75), 23.00 (IQR: 19.25~32.25), 26.50 (IQR: 18.25~34.50), 27.00 (IQR: 21.50~32.50), respectively, with both showing improvement. CONCLUSIONS: After administration of alfuzosin (10 mg daily for 2 years), the IPSS, QoL, IIEF, and MSHQ-EjFD all improved significantly. This means long-term administration of 10 mg of alfuzosin daily would be effective not only for LUTS but also erectile function and ejaculation.

Current Status of Radical Prostatectomy for High-Risk Prostate Cancer

Despite the wide application of prostate-specific antigen-based screening leading to a profound stage migration in prostate cancer (PC), a significant percentage of men are still being diagnosed with clinically high-risk disease that requires aggressive treatment. Optimal management in these patients remains challenging, and strong advocates for radical prostatectomy (RP), radiotherapy, androgen deprivation therapy, and, increasingly, a multimodal approach abound. Currently, surgery for high-risk PC is frequently applied. RP offers an attractive opportunity for tumor excision either as a definitive management or as a first step in multimodal therapy. Nevertheless, this approach is still controversial. In this review, we discuss the current evidence for the role of RP in this clinical setting, including surgical considerations and outcomes. The role of robot-assisted RP, which is increasingly utilized in Korea in this clinical scenario, is discussed.

Effects of Tamsulosin on Premature Ejaculation in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

PURPOSE: Previous studies have revealed that tamsulosin is effective in improving lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile functioning but has some inhibitory effects on ejaculation, including decreased ejaculatory volume. However, these inhibitory effects on ejaculation can be beneficial to patients with premature ejaculation (PE). Therefore, this study was conducted to understand the effect of tamsulosin on PE in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients who visited with LUTS were categorized into 2 groups of LUTS-only patients (n=12) and LUTS combined with PE (LUTS+PE) patients (n=17), and 0.4 mg of tamsulosin was administered to the patients of both groups for 12 weeks. Comparative analyses of before and after the treatment were conducted for calculating the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT), and premature ejaculation profile (PEP). The patients with an IPSS score of 8 or higher were determined as LUTS patients, and the patients with IELT of less than 2 minutess and a PEDT score of 9 or higher were determined as PE patients. RESULTS: After treatment, the IPSS score significantly decreased in both groups. There was no statistically significant change in the PEDT for the LUTS group, but there was a significant decrease in PEDT (p=0.012; from 12.1+/-3.31 to 8.4+/-4.49) in the LUTS+PE group. CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin not only has a treatment effect for LUTS but also improves the PE of LUTS+PE patients. Therefore, further studies are needed to confirm the effects of tamsulosin on PE.

Effects of Tamsulosin on Premature Ejaculation in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

PURPOSE: Previous studies have revealed that tamsulosin is effective in improving lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile functioning but has some inhibitory effects on ejaculation, including decreased ejaculatory volume. However, these inhibitory effects on ejaculation can be beneficial to patients with premature ejaculation (PE). Therefore, this study was conducted to understand the effect of tamsulosin on PE in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients who visited with LUTS were categorized into 2 groups of LUTS-only patients (n=12) and LUTS combined with PE (LUTS+PE) patients (n=17), and 0.4 mg of tamsulosin was administered to the patients of both groups for 12 weeks. Comparative analyses of before and after the treatment were conducted for calculating the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT), premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT), and premature ejaculation profile (PEP). The patients with an IPSS score of 8 or higher were determined as LUTS patients, and the patients with IELT of less than 2 minutess and a PEDT score of 9 or higher were determined as PE patients. RESULTS: After treatment, the IPSS score significantly decreased in both groups. There was no statistically significant change in the PEDT for the LUTS group, but there was a significant decrease in PEDT (p=0.012; from 12.1+/-3.31 to 8.4+/-4.49) in the LUTS+PE group. CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin not only has a treatment effect for LUTS but also improves the PE of LUTS+PE patients. Therefore, further studies are needed to confirm the effects of tamsulosin on PE.