Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2008 Sep;5(9):2179-84.
doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.00949.x. Epub 2008 Jul 14.

Risk factors for emotional and relationship problems in Peyronie's disease

James F Smith  1 , Thomas J Walsh, Simon L Conti, Paul Turek, Tom Lue
Affiliations

Risk factors for emotional and relationship problems in Peyronie's disease

James F Smith et al. J Sex Med. 2008 Sep.

Abstract

Introduction: Peyronie's disease (PD) occurs in 3-9% of all men. Little is known regarding the specific psychological or emotional disruptions to sexuality associated with PD.

Aim: Our primary aim was to identify risk factors associated with psychosocial difficulties in men with PD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled patients from a single clinical practice. Detailed medical histories, physical examinations, and a PD-specific questionnaire were used to define clinical characteristics. Odds ratios (ORs) were used as a measure of association.

Main outcome measures: Emotional and relationship problems were determined by "yes" or "no" answers to two specific questions.

Results: The mean age of all PD patients (N = 245) was 54.4 years (range 19.4-75.6); 62% were married, and 59% presented within 2 years of disease onset. The overall prevalence of emotional and relationship problems attributable to PD was 81% and 54%, respectively. Among men who had relationship problems, the prevalence of emotional problems was 93%. In men with emotional problems due to PD, relationship issues were observed in 62%. Multivariable analysis revealed that emotional difficulties (OR 6.9, P < 0.001) and ability to have intercourse (OR 0.4, P = 0.004) were independently associated with relationship problems. Relationship problems (OR 8.0, P < 0.001) and loss of penile length (OR 2.7, P = 0.02) were significant independent predictors of emotional problems after adjustment for the ability to maintain erections, low libido, and penile pain.

Conclusions: Among men with PD, there is a very high prevalence of emotional and relationship problems. Loss of penile length and inability to have intercourse are strong predictors of these problems and as such make ideal targets for intervention. Medical and surgical therapies may enhance quality of life through their ability to improve sexual function. Further research will characterize the ways in which individual symptoms affect emotional and psychological well-being.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Lindsay MB, Schain DM, Grambsch P, Benson RC, Beard CM, Kurland LT. The incidence of Peyronie’s disease in Rochester, Minnesota, 1950 through 1984. J Urol. 1991;146:1007. - PubMed
    1. Schwarzer U, Sommer F, Klotz T, Braun M, Reifenrath B, Engelmann U. The prevalence of Peyronie’s disease: Results of a large survey. BJU Int. 2001;88:727. - PubMed
    1. Mulhall JP, Creech SD, Boorjian SA, Ghaly S, Kim ED, Moty A, Davis R, Hellstrom W. Subjective and objective analysis of the prevalence of Peyronie’s disease in a population of men presenting for prostate cancer screening. J Urol. 2004;171:2350. - PubMed
    1. Rhoden EL, Teloken C, Ting HY, Lucas ML, da Ros C Teodosio, Souto C Ary Vargas. Prevalence of Peyronie’s disease in men over 50-y-old from Southern Brazil. Int J Impot Res. 2001;13:291. - PubMed
    1. Kadioglu A, Akman T, Sanli O, Gurkan L, Cakan M, Celtik M. Surgical treatment of Peyronie’s disease: A critical analysis. Eur Urol. 2006;50:235. - PubMed