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Background: Little sexual health research has been conducted in gay men. Anecdotally, this population seems to experience more bother related to Peyronie's disease (PD). Objectives: To examine the impact of PD on psychosocial factors in gay vs straight men. Materials and Methods: All PD patients who were seen in the sexual medicine clinic were included. They completed three instruments: the PD questionnaire (PDQ), Self‐Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, and a depression questionnaire (CES‐D). We described demographics and sexual variables by sexual orientation. We then compared PDQ items and summary scores by sexual orientation, using a series of independent samples t tests. Results: 34 consecutive gay and 464 straight men were included. Age and baseline characteristics were similar between the two cohorts, with the exception that fewer gay men were partnered (56% vs 87%, P <.01), and those with a partner had a shorter relationship duration: 109 ± 9 months vs 262 ± 175 months, P <.01. For the SEAR questionnaire, gay men demonstrated a more significant psychosocial impact of PD overall with lower SEAR sums (41 vs 57, P =.01) and a lower sexual relationship subdomain score (28 vs 47, P <.01). 41% of gay men vs 26% of straight men had CES‐D scores consistent with depression as defined by a score of ≥16 (P =.09). In the PDQ domains, gay men scored less favorably with regard to bother scores (7 vs 5, P =.03) and pain scores (8 vs 4, P =.04). Discussion: Gay men with PD experience significantly more psychosocial impact as evidenced by less favorable SEAR sum and sexual relationship scores, CES‐D scores, and PDQ pain and bother domain scores. Conclusion: The psychosocial impact of PD is significant in all men, but it appears to be greater in gay men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penile curvature is the most common abnormality that is observed by men with Peyronie's disease (PD). Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) has become a standard treatment for PD patients. To identify predictor factors associated with improvements of penile curvature outcomes in men with PD treated with CCH. We retrospectively collected the data of patients with PD treated with CCH up to 8 injections divided into 4 cycles between January 2014 and July 2020. Per protocol, penile curvature was assessed at baseline, and after the second and ford CCH cycle. If after cycle 2, curvature demonstrated no improvement, or penile curvature was significantly improved and the patient was happy, no further treatment was recommended. However, if penile curvature was significantly improved and the patient remained dissatisfied, 4 cycles were completed. Three categories of response were evaluated: improvement (≥10 degrees or ≥20%, either 1 happens), unchanged (±10 degrees or ±20%) or worsened (≥10 degrees or ≥20%, either 1 happens). Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate predictive factors associated with penile curvature improvements. Degrees of the curvature changes between the baseline and after the cycles of CCH. A total of 114 patients underwent CCH treatment. Median age was 57 years. Median PD duration was 11 months. At baseline, mean curvature was 47 degrees, 65% had dorsal curvature, 53% mid-shaft location, and 15% calcification. After CCH treatment, the mean final curvature was 40 degrees. A total of 44% improved the curvature, 39% had no change while 17% worsened after CCH treatment. Of men who had penile curvature improvement with CCH treatment, the mean curvature decreasing in degrees and percentage were 22 degrees and 41%, respectively. Men with baseline curvature ≤ 30, 31–59, and ≥ 60 degrees, the percentage curvature improvement were 29%, 43%, and 60%, respectively. Baseline curvature was the only significant predictor of penile curvature improvement after CCH (OR 1.33, 95% CI = 1.1, 1.7). We confirmed baseline penile curvature is the most important predictive factor, and this is the first report describing proportions of penile curvature improvement with CCH treatment. This study has several strengths, including the use of validated instruments. Nonetheless, there are limitations: the retrospective nature of the study, a single institution; and modelling device was not controlled. Penile curvature improvement was significantly more common in patients with greater baseline curvature, reaching up to 60% for patients with ≥ 60 degrees. Flores JM, Nascimento B, Punjani N, et al. Predictors of Curvature Improvement in Men With Peyronie's Disease Treated With Intralesional Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum. J Sex Med 2022;19:1680–1686. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intralesional collagenase such as Xiaflex (ILX) has become a standard treatment for Peyronie's disease (PD). Many robust studies have demonstrated its clear efficacy in the treatment algorithm. To examine predictors of the patient decision to pursue ILX in PD patients. The study included PD patients (i) with stable disease (ii) who had doppler duplex ultrasonography (DUS) at least 6 months prior to analysis date and (iii) did not choose an operation. All patients received a standard discussion regarding treatment options, specifically, observation, ILX and penile reconstructive surgery (plication, plaque incision and grafting, implant surgery). Patients who opted to use ILX were compared to those who opted against it. Comorbidity, demographic and PD characteristics were recorded at the initial PD visit. All patients completed three validated questionnaires including the PD questionnaire (PDQ), Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire and a depression questionnaire (CES-D). Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of ILX use. Predictors of ILX utilization. Four hundred and fifty stable PD men had DUS completed 6 months before to allow sufficient time for treatment decision. Of these, 111 (24.7%) patients had ILX treatment and 339 (75.3%) did not. Mean age, relationship status and pain occurrence were similar between groups, but ILX patients had less bother defined as PDQ ≥ 9 (46.8% vs 53.7%, P =.02). ILX patients had more complex curves (79.3% vs 47.8%, P <.01) and more severe instability (32.4% vs 15.3%, P =.01). ILX patients also had higher PDQ domain scores (Psychological 11.5 ± 6.4 vs 7.5 ± 6.2, P <.01; Pain 6.2 ± 6.0 vs 4.3 ± 5.6, P =.02; and Bother 9.8 ± 4.7 vs 6.6 ± 4.8, P <.01). On univariable statistics, significant bother (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.36–4.28, P <0.01), complex curvature (OR 4.18, 95%CI 2.52–6.93, P <.01), moderate and/or severe instability (OR 1.98, 95%CI 1.18–3.30, P <.01) and PDQ-Bother scores (OR 1.15, 95%CI 1.08–1.22 P <.01) predicted ILX use. On multivariable analysis, instability (OR 2.58, 95%CI 1.02–6.57, P =.05) and significant bother (OR 1.23, 95%CI 1.04–1.45, P =.01) predicted ILX use. Educates providers as to which patients are more likely to choose ILX. Our study has a large sample size and all patients received the same standardized treatment discussion. Our study is limited by the absence of insurance data on all patients, and its retrospective single center design. ILX was chosen by the minority of stable PD patients. While moderate to severe instability and significant bother is predictive of ILX use, other demographic factors including relationship status, sexual orientation or pain were not. Punjani N, Nascimento B, Salter C, et al. Predictors of Pursuing Intralesional Xiaflex in Peyronie's Disease Patients. J Sex Med 2021;18:1258–1264. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peyronie's disease (PD) has negative impacts on the psychosocial status of men including depression warranting clinical evaluation in up to 50% of men. To examine predictors of depression in patients with early PD seeking evaluation. All PD patients at a high-volume PD practice underwent screening and curvature assessment after intracavernosal injection. Complex deformity was defined as any degree of multiplanar curvature, curvature >60 degrees, or presence of hourglass deformity. Men completed the PD questionnaire (PDQ), a validated depression questionnaire (CES-D) as well as the Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire. Scores of ≥16 on CES-D were considered indicative of moderate/severe depression. Predictors of the presence of depression were defined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Demographic, bother and curve related predictors of depression in men with PD. 408 men completed all questionnaires. Mean age was similar between depressed and nondepressed groups (57 ± 10 years overall, P =. 60 between groups). Proportions of erectile dysfunction were similar between groups (P =. 96). Mean PD duration was similar between groups (19 ± 35 months overall, P =. 46 between groups). Mean degree of curvature was 38 ± 2 degrees in the depressed vs 33 ± 1 degrees in the nondepressed groups (P =. 03). A complex deformity was seen in 64.5% in the depressed vs 61.5% in the nondepressed (P =. 56). A total of 110 (27%) patients had CESD scores ≥16. 74% depressed men were in relationships compared to 84% nondepressed men (P <. 01). Other characteristics including bother, pain, duration of disease, curve complexity and instability were similar between the two groups. On univariable analysis, factors protective against depression included being partnered (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.24–0.75, P <. 01) and higher total SEAR scores (OR 0.95, 95%CI 0.94–0.97, P <. 01). Elevated PDQ domain scores were associated with depression (Psychologic Symptoms 1.05, 95%CI 1.02–1.10, P <. 01; Pain 1.08, 95%CI 1.03–1.12, P <. 01; Bother 1.11, 95% CI 1.05–1.68, P <. 01) as well as baseline history of depression (OR 2.93, 95%CI 1.67–5.14, P <. 001). On multivariable analysis, only total SEAR score remained protective against depression (OR 0.96, 95%CI 0.94–0.97, P <. 001). Providers must recognize that men with PD seeking evaluation have meaningful rates of depression for which early recognition is necessary. Retrospective review of a large prospectively collected dataset from a single center of men with PD utilizing a validated screening tool for depression. While no significant demographic, bother or curve related factors predicted depression in early PD men seeking evaluation, it remains a significant problem warranting further prospective evaluation. P. Nahid, N. Bruno, S. Carolyn, et al. Predictors of Depression in Men With Peyronie's Disease Seeking Evaluation. J Sex Med 2021;18:783–788. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men with Peyronie's disease (PD) may experience penile narrowing. Little data on penile girth changes and their psychosocial impact exist. To assess girth discrepancy in men with PD and its association with patient bother. This was a retrospective observational study. All patients with PD at our institution who were seen in the sexual medicine clinic and who completed 3 validated instruments the PD questionnaire (PDQ), Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, and a depression questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and a curvature assessment were included. Patient and PD characteristics are described. Associations of instability and bother to girth differences are assessed. 2 outcomes for girth differences are classified as (i) girth difference of ≥ 1 cm vs less and (ii) girth differences of ≥10% vs less. Unadjusted and adjusted effects of PD and patient characteristics are assessed on the outcome of high bother using logistic regression models. The main outcomes of this study were penile girth changes, instability, and questionnaire scores. High bother was defined as a PDQ bother score of ≥9. A total of131 men had midshaft curvature and were the focus of the study. Their mean age was 59 ± 9 (range 31–78) years. PD duration was 16 ± 25 (range 1–180) months, with a mean degree of primary curvature of 37 ± 20o. Mean girth difference between base and point of maximum curvature was 0.78 ± 0.53 cm equating to a mean girth difference at point of maximum curvature of 6 ± 4%. Instability was present in 53% of men. There were 54 men with a girth difference of ≥ 1 cm and 23 men with a ≥10% change in girth. There was no difference in CES-D, SEAR, or PDQ domain scores or high bother in men with significant girth changes. Univariable analysis of predictors of high bother included the degree of curvature (odds ratio [OR]: 1.06; P <.001), instability (OR 6.62; P <.001), CES-D sum (OR 1.09; P =.002), and SEAR score (OR 0.96; P =.001). On multivariate analysis, only the degree of primary curvature was predictive of high bother (OR 1.06; P <.001). Penile girth changes have little impact on overall psychosocial well-being. The degree of penile curvature is the primary predictor of patient bother. Strengths include a large patient population and use of validated questionnaires. Limitations include single-center, retrospective study and subjective instability grading. Penile girth discrepancy in men with PD has limited psychosocial impact. Clinically significant bother was associated with the degree of primary curvature. Salter CA, Nascimento B, Terrier, JE, et al. Evaluating the Impact of Penile Girth Discrepancy on Patient Bother in Men With Peyronie's Disease: An Observational Study. J Sex Med 2020;17:1560–1565. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]