Elastographic evaluation of the effect of sickle cell anemia on testicles: a prospective study.

To quantitatively determine testicular tissue stiffness values using shear wave elastography (SWE) in males that have sickle cell anemia (SCA) and to evaluate the relationship between elastography results and semen analysis parameters and hormone levels. Fifty patients diagnosed with SCA and followed up in the hematology outpatient clinic were evaluated in the urology outpatient clinic as the study group. In addition, there were 88 patients without any SCA-related complaints in the control group. We compared these groups with respect to their values, spermiogram parameters, testicular volume, and SWE values. Among patients in the SCA group, 28% had impaired sperm parameters. When testicular elastography was assessed, the testicular volumes were materially lower in the SCA group in comparison to the control group [right testicular volume: 14.76 (12.77-18.12) and 19.68 (15.12-24.18), respectively, p < 0.001; left testicular volume: 14.11 (11.06-17.32) and 16.59 (13.38-20.13), respectively, p = 0.015]. Additionally, the left testis central stiffness and the left testis inferior stiffness were significantly higher in the SCA group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively). The age and hydroxyurea use had a worse effect on sperm parameters in patients with SCA (odds ratio: -0.161 and -1.914, standard deviation: 0.071 and 0.921, and p = 0.024 and p = 0.038, respectively). We consider that the technique utilized in this study for SWE values is fast and can be adopted as a reliable diagnostic tool and follow-up practice in routine clinical practice to evaluate the acuteness of damage to the testicles in patients having SCA.

Bariatric surgery has positive effects on patients' and their partners' sexual function: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been associated with severe conditions and sexual dysfunction. Bariatric surgery has effects positively patients' sexual function. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of bariatric surgery on sexual functions of couples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 57 obese patients and their sexually active partners. Male participations were assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Male Sexual Health Questionaries (MSHQ-4), and female participations were assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS: There were 31 (54.4%) male patients and 26 (45.6%) female patients in the study. The median IIEF score of the male patients statistically increased postoperatively (p < 0.001). The IIEF subgroup areas were found to have increased after surgery. The median FSFI score of the female patients statistically increased postoperatively (p < 0.001). The median FSFI of male patients' partners significantly increased postoperatively (p < 0.001). All FSFI domains were statistically significantly increased (p < 0.001, all areas). The median IIEF value of the postoperative partners of the female patients also increased statistically significant (p < 0.001). In addition, the increases in the IIEF's subdomains in terms of sexual desire (p < 0.001), intercourse satisfaction (p < 0.001), and general satisfaction (p < 0.001) were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The sexual functions of both males and females and also their' partners were improved after bariatric surgery. Patients with preoperative poor sexual function achieve significant benefits over patients without sexual dysfunction.