PREVALENCE OF PEYRONIE′S DISEASE AND ITS PSYCHOSEXUAL IMPACT IN THE CHINESE POPULATION: A LARGE COHORT POPULATION-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of Peyronie’s disease (PD) in the Chinese population has never been measured, although it has been historically speculated to be less common than in Caucasian male. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of PD, psychosexual impacts and health-seeking behavior in the Chinese population.

METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study was carried out in Hong Kong using a standardized, anonymized, semi-web based questionnaire between July to October 2019. All Chinese men aged between 18 and 75 presenting at two ambulatory service centers and a university campus were invited to participate. Respondents were screened for PD and associated symptoms, demographics, psychosocial impact, and health-seeking behaviors. PD was defined as acquired penile curvature not present before adulthood. Patients with known history of congenital penile deformities were excluded.

RESULTS: 2795 completed questionnaires were available for analysis (89% completion rate). Overall median age was 42 years. Prevalence of PD was 5.0%. Median age of men with PD was 30 years. 45% had curvature of over 30 degrees. Predominant dorsal curvature was commonest (58.7%). Men with predominant ventral curvature were more bothered during sexual intercourse (p<0.01) and were not correlated with degree of curvature (p=0.7). 75% of patients with PD were sexually active, of whom 32% were bothered by the curvature due to difficulty during intercourse, appearance or uncomfortable erections. There was no statistically significant difference in IIEF-5 score between the non-PD and PD groups (18.74 vs 18.36, p = 0.609). Only 5.1% of men with bothersome PD seek medical advice, commonest due to appearance.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first observational study on PD in Chinese men. The prevalence of PD was 5.0%, consistent with western population in literature. Ventral curvature regardless of degree of angulation appeared to be an important factor of psychosexual bother. Very few patients seek help despite bothersome PD. Public education and centralization of care may help to improve health-seeking behavior in men with PD.

Source of Funding: None