Introduction Hydraulic penile prostheses have shown an overall good mechanical reliability up to 10 years after surgery; however, few data have been published on very long-term follow-up. Aim We looked at long-term (≥15 years) complications, including functional and quality of life (QoL) outcomes, after 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods Data regarding 149 patients submitting to IPP placement before 2001 were analyzed. All patients were implanted with AMS CX and Ultrex Plus 3-piece prostheses. Main Outcome Measure Patients were reassessed to evaluate rates of complications and functional outcomes. The validated questionnaire Quality of Life and Sexuality with Penile Prosthesis (QoLSPP) was used to assess patient QoL. Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated the probability of prosthesis survival (defined as working device/not-explanted). Results Median follow-up of 51 patients was 206 months (interquartile range [IQR], 145–257). The etiology of ED was vasculogenic (n = 20; 39%), Peyronie’s disease (n = 15; 29%), pelvic surgery (n = 4; 7.8%), organic other than vasculogenic (n = 3; 5.9%), or other (n = 9; 18%). Throughout the follow-up, 24 patients (49%) experienced complications: mechanical failure (n = 19; 79%), pain (n = 3; 12%), orgasmic dysfunctions (n = 1; 4.5%), or device infection (n = 1; 4.5%). The estimated IPP survival was 53% (95% CI, 36–67) at 20-year follow-up. Baseline characteristics (age, Charlson comorbidity index, body mass index, and erectile dysfunction etiology) were not significantly associated with the risk of IPP failure over time by Cox regression analysis. At 20-year follow-up, 41% (95% CI, 19–49) of the patients were still using the device. Among them, QoLSPP median domain scores were high: functional 22/25 (IQR, 20–23), relational 17/20 (IQR, 15–18), personal 14/15 (IQR, 12–15), and social 14/15 (IQR, 11–15). Clinical Implications The longevity of the device and long-term satisfaction rates should be comprehensively discussed during patient consultation for IPP surgery. Strengths & Limitations To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting long-term QoL outcomes using a dedicated questionnaire for penile prostheses. The low response rate for the telephone interviews, the retrospective design of the study, and the relatively small number of patients are the main limitations. Conclusion Long-term follow-up data after IPP placement showed that almost half of the devices still worked properly 20 years after the original penile implant, as 60% of patients were still using the device with high satisfaction and adequate QoL outcomes. Both patients and physicians should be aware of the expected life and outcomes of IPP implants.

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Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) is widely considered as an early manifestation of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), sharing similar risk factors. Aim Assess rates and predictors of developing CVD and/or hypertension (HTN) over a long-term follow-up period using user-friendly and clinically reliable tools in men presenting with ED but without CVD/HTN or known vascular risk factors at baseline. Methods Data from 108 patients presenting between 2005 and 2011 with ED were analyzed. All patients were free from CVD and/or HTN (CVD/HTN) at baseline. Patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) at baseline and were followed up every 6 months with clinical assessment or phone interview. Kaplan-Meier analyses estimated the probability of developing CVD/HTN over time. Cox-regression models tested the association between patient baseline characteristics (for example, age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, baseline IIEF-EF, ED severity, alcohol intake, smoking), response to phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE5is), and the risk of developing CVD/HTN. Results Of all, 43 (40%) patients showed IIEF-EF scores suggestive of severe ED; 37 (39%) and 59 (61%) were nonresponders and responders to PDE5i, respectively. Median (interquartile range) age was 51 (41, 61) years. Median (interquartile range) follow-up was 95 (86-106) months. Overall, the estimated risk of developing CVD/HTN was 15% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9-27) at 10-year assessment. Men with baseline severe ED had a higher risk of developing CVD/HTN (34%; 95% CI: 17-59, P = .03) at 10 years than patients with mild to moderate ED (5% [95% CI: 2-14]). At the Cox regression analysis, severe ED (Hazard ratio [HR], 4.62; 95% CI: 1.43, 8.89; P = .01) and baseline IIEF-EF score (HR, 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86, 0.99; P = .02) were associated to the risk of CVD/HTN overtime. Conversely, age and nonresponders to PDE5is (HR, 0.92; 95% CI: 0.32, 2.68; P = .9) were not associated to a risk of CVD/HTN over time. Clinical Implications The use of an easy and user-friendly tool, as the IIEF-EF domain score, would allow to reliably assess which men with ED at first presentation may deserve a different, more specific and detailed cardiologic investigation to prevent inauspicious CV events. Strengths & Limitations A single-center-based, observational longitudinal study, raising the possibility of selection biases are the main limits. Conclusions Patients with severe ED and lower baseline IIEF-EF but no vascular risk factors at first presentation have more than 30% risk of developing CVD/HTN in 10-year time. Those patients may benefit from medical preventive strategies to lowering the risk of CV events and HTN.

Background Trends of male factor causes of couples' infertility over time have been poorly investigated. Objective We investigated trends in the causes of pure male factor infertility (MFI) throughout the last 10 years in a tertiary‐referral academic andrology center. Material and Methods Baseline characteristics at first presentation from a cohort of 1647 consecutive male factor infertility patients belonging to primary infertile couples between 2008 and 2018 have been comprehensively collected over time. Seven major causes of male factor infertility were identified: varicocoele; history of cryptorchidism; hypogonadism (primary and secondary); obstructive azoospermia; genetic abnormalities; other causes (large group including the remnant conditions of known causes); and idiopathic infertility. Rates of different male factor infertility causes over the study period were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models tested the likelihood of male factor infertility causes over time. Estimated trends were explored graphically. Results Of all, varicocoele was found in 615 (37.3%), cryptorchidism in 124 (7.5%), genetic abnormalities in 61 (3.7%), hypogonadism in 165 (10%), obstructive conditions in 55 (3.3%), other causes in 129 (7.8%) patients, and idiopathic infertility in 498 (30.3%) patients, respectively. Over time, a reduction in the proportions of cryptorchidism and varicocoele (all P < 0.001) cases was observed, along with an increase in the proportions of hypogonadism, other causes of MFI and idiopathic cases (all P ≤ 0.01). Rates of genetic and obstructive cases remained stable. The observed trends were confirmed at logistic regression models. Discussion and Conclusions A decreasing trend in the proportions of varicocoele and cryptorchidism at first presentation was observed over the last 10 years; conversely, the proportions of idiopathic cases, hypogonadal patients, and infertile men presenting with other male factor infertility causes significantly increased over the same time frame at a single tertiary‐referral academic andrology center.

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Objective A range of ketamine‐induced uropathy (KIU) issues have been typically described in ketamine misusers. Conversely, more knowledge is needed in terms of medicinal ketamine‐related urological disturbances, since ketamine prescribing is being increasingly considered for a range of medical and psychopathological conditions. Methods To assess medicinal KIU issues, we aimed at analyzing both the 2005–2017 European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the 2006–2018 UK Yellow Card Scheme (YCS) pharmacovigilance databases. Results A total number (eg, all categories) of 11 632 EMA ketamine‐related adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports were here identified. Out of these, some 9971 ADRs (eg, 85.7% of the total) were judged as “suspect” and were here analyzed. Some 1758 ADRs (17.7% of 9971, corresponding to 194 individual patients) referred to urological issues, relating to either kidney/ureter (922 ADRs) or bladder/urethra (837 ADRs). Ketamine was the sole drug administered in 156/194 (80.4%) cases/patients. Although most cases occurred in the 1 month‐1 year time frame following the start of ketamine prescribing, in 30 cases the ADR occurred within 48 hours. Most ADR‐related cases resolved, although both sequelae (18 cases) and fatalities (79/1758; 4.5%) were recorded. Overall, YCS data were consistent with EMA findings, with some 50/217 (23%) ADRs referring to renal/urinary disorders. Conclusions Current data may only represent a gross underestimate of the KIU real prevalence issues. It is here suggested that chronic treatment involving higher doses/repeated exposure to ketamine be restricted to the context of controlled trials or clinical audits.

Introduction The impact of erectile dysfunction (ED) on patients’ sexual satisfaction and mood profile could differ across different ages. Aim To investigate the relationship between erectile function (EF), sexual satisfaction, and mood status among patients seeking medical help for ED. Methods Data from 765 patients presenting at a single center for ED were analyzed. Patients were categorized as young (≤50 years), middle-aged (&gt;50 and ≤65 years), and old (&gt;65 years) individuals and completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Beck’s Inventory for Depression (BDI). Main Outcome Measures The IIEF overall satisfaction and intercourse satisfaction domain scores and the BDI score were used to investigate sexual life satisfaction and depressive symptoms (defined as BDI &gt; 11) across ages and according to ED severity. Linear and logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between satisfaction scores and the risk of depressive symptoms with age and EF. Results Median (interquartile range) age at first assessment for ED was 50 (38, 59) years. Compared with older men, young and middle-aged patients showed significantly higher IIEF-OS and IIEF– Intercourse Satisfaction scores for increasing IIEF-EF scores. Older men showed no difference in terms of satisfaction scores for mild ED and normal EF status. At linear regression analysis, both IIEF-EF and age were significantly associated with sexual satisfaction (all P &lt; .0001). The interaction term between age and EF was also significant, suggesting that the older the patients, the higher the feeling of sexual satisfaction for the same EF status (P = .004). Overall, 25% of patients reported depressive symptoms. Logistic regression analysis showed a 40% risk of depressive symptoms for patients &lt;45 years with severe ED compared to a risk &lt;20% for a man &gt;65 years of age with the same EF status. Clinical Implications Treating older patients with mild ED may not lead to a further improvement in sexual satisfaction as compared with younger patients with the same ED severity. Younger ED patients suffer more from depressive symptoms compared with older men, regardless of ED severity, thus supporting the need for a comprehensive psychological counseling. Strength & Limitations The single-center design and the lack of the assessment of the impact of ED treatment are the main limits. Conclusions The clinical management of ED should be tailored according to different ages: younger patients deserve to be investigated and eventually treated for depressive symptoms. Older patients should be counseled for treatment when a sexual satisfaction improvement is expected.

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