Adolescent Varicocele: Are Somatometric Parameters a Cause?

Abstract

PurposeIt has been reported that varicocele is found less frequently in obese men. Accordingly, we evaluated varicocele patients and statistically analyzed the correlation between varicocele and somatometric parameters.Materials and MethodsA total of 211 patients underwent surgery for varicoceles. All patients underwent history taking, physical examination, and scrotal ultrasound to determine the presence and severity of varicocele. An age-matched control group consisted of 102 patients who were found not to have varicocele according to physical examinations and scrotal ultrasound. The age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) of the two groups were compared. The statistical analyses were performed by use of PASW Statistics ver. 18.0. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used for statistical significance.ResultsIn the varicocele group, the mean age, height, weight, and BMI were 29.42±14.01 years, 168.53±9.97 cm, 62.14±13.17 kg, and 21.66±3.21 kg/m2, respectively. The distribution of varicocele grade was as follows: 103 (48.8%) grade III, 72 (34.1%) grade II, and 36 (17.1%) grade I. In the control group, the mean age, height, weight, and BMI were 30.83±17.31 years, 161.93±19.83 cm, 64.69±17.86 kg, and 24.04±3.64 kg/m2, respectively. Analyzing these data specifically in adolescents, they showed significant differences in age, height, and BMI (p=0.000, p=0.000, and p=0.004, respectively) between two groups. There were no significant differences in somatometric parameters between patients with different grades of varicocele.ConclusionsOur results showed that patients with varicoceles were significantly taller and had a lower BMI than did patients without varicoceles, especially among adolescents. Carefully designed future studies may be needed.

Prevalence of varicocoele and its association with body mass index among 39,559 rural men in eastern China: a population‐based cross‐sectional study

“…This result is consistent with some previous studies (Prabakaran et al, 2006;Levinger et al, 2007;Rais et al, 2013;Bae et al, 2014). This result is consistent with some previous studies (Prabakaran et al, 2006;Levinger et al, 2007;Rais et al, 2013;Bae et al, 2014).…”

“…There are inconsistent data regarding the relationship between varicocoele and BMI. Some studies suggested that BMI was inversely associated with the prevalence of varicocoele (Handel et al, 2006;May et al, 2006;Nielsen et al, 2006;Prabakaran et al, 2006;Tsao et al, 2009;Chen & Huang, 2010;Baek et al, 2011;Gokce et al, 2013;Rais et al, 2013), whereas other studies found no such relationship (Oster, 1971;Delaney et al, 2004;Bae et al, 2014;Shafi et al, 2014). Moreover, most studies did not adjust for potential confounders when assessing the relationship between varicocoele and BMI.…”

“…Previous studies have assessed the association between varicocoele and other factors such as age, height, body mass index (BMI), lifestyle habits and occupation (Delaney et al, 2004;Handel et al, 2006;May et al, 2006;Nielsen et al, 2006;Prabakaran et al, 2006;Tsao et al, 2009;Chen & Huang, 2010;Bae et al, 2014;Shafi et al, 2014). Some studies suggested that BMI was inversely associated with the prevalence of varicocoele (Handel et al, 2006;May et al, 2006;Nielsen et al, 2006;Prabakaran et al, 2006;Tsao et al, 2009;Chen & Huang, 2010;Baek et al, 2011;Gokce et al, 2013;Rais et al, 2013), whereas other studies found no such relationship (Oster, 1971;Delaney et al, 2004;Bae et al, 2014;Shafi et al, 2014). Some studies suggested that BMI was inversely associated with the prevalence of varicocoele (Handel et al, 2006;May et al, 2006;Nielsen et al, 2006;Prabakaran et al, 2006;Tsao et al, 2009;Chen & Huang, 2010;Baek et al, 2011;Gokce et al, 2013;Rais et al, 2013), whereas other studies found no such relationship (Oster, 1971;Delaney et al, 2004;Bae et al, 2014;Shafi et al, 2014).…”

“…The exact pathophysiology of varicocoele is still not clear (Alsaikhan et al, 2016). Previous studies have assessed the association between varicocoele and other factors such as age, height, body mass index (BMI), lifestyle habits and occupation (Delaney et al, 2004;Handel et al, 2006;May et al, 2006;Nielsen et al, 2006;Prabakaran et al, 2006;Tsao et al, 2009;Chen & Huang, 2010;Bae et al, 2014;Shafi et al, 2014). There are inconsistent data regarding the relationship between varicocoele and BMI.…”

Internal Spermatic Vein Insufficiency in Varicoceles: A Different Entity in Adults and Adolescents?

“…Another type of congenital varicocele may be the nutcracker phenomenon, which we observed 4 times as often in adolescents (24%) as in adults (6%). A taller stature and lower body mass index would be a risk factor for the development of varicoceles in adolescents [27]. This body constitution is a predisposition for vascular conflicts in the retroperitoneum, that is, the nutcracker phenomenon.…”