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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance clinical decision-making in Peyronies disease (PD) has generated significant interest. This review explores the current landscape of AI in PD evaluation. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent advances in 3D modeling offer a more sophisticated approach to assessing PD deformities; however, the implementation of 3D modeling in clinical practice faces challenges, including the need for specialized equipment and time-consuming data processing, sometimes taking several hours of labor. AI holds promise for overcoming these hurdles through its ability to efficiently process large volumes of data and to perform accurate predictions based on such data. Future integration of AI with 3D modeling techniques could revolutionize PD evaluation by improving patient counseling, surgical planning, and clinical decision-making. Significant gaps in the literature have yet to be addressed, including the absence of robust evidence that incorporating such technology is superior to standard diagnostics.

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Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low‑intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) for the treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD). Methods: To analyze the treatment effect of 106 PD patients, 56 patients treated with LIPUS as therapy group and 50 patients with oral L‐carnitine and vitamin E as control group. 56 patients were treated with LIPUS three times per week for four consecutive weeks (12 times totally). Penile erectile pain, erectile function, the size of penile plaques, and penile curvature were assessed for all of these 106 PD patients before treatment and at 4‐ and 24‐week follow‐ups to evaluate the treatment effect. Erectile pain was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS), while erectile function using the International Index of Erectile Function scale (IIEF‐5), and penile plaque size was measured by ultrasound. After alprostadil was injected into the penile body to induce a full erection, the penis was measured with a protractor at the maximum bending degree. Results: After 4‐weeks follow‐up, the VAS scores of the LIPUS group were significantly lower than the baseline (P < 0.01), while no significant differences were found in the control group (P > 0.05). After 24‐weeks follow‐up, the VAS scores of the control group reduced significantly but also were significantly higher than the LIPUS group (P < 0.01). The IIEF‐5 scores of the LIPUS group were significantly higher than the baseline (P < 0.01). While the IIEF‐5 scores of the control group showed no significant differences both after 4‐ and 24‐weeks follow‐up (P > 0.05). The penile plaque size showed no significant differences after 4‐ and 24‐weeks follow‐up both in the LIPUS group and the control group (P > 0.05). The penile curvature degrees showed a significant reduction after 4‐weeks follow‐up in LIPUS group (P < 0.01). While the penile curvature degrees of the control group showed no significant differences both after 4‐ and 24‐weeks follow‐up (P > 0.05). No complications, such as penile pain, hematoma, or skin ecchymosis, were observed during the entire process of LIPUS treatment, nor did they appear during follow‐up. Conclusions: In patients with acute PD, LIPUS could relieve erectile pain and improve erectile dysfunction. Moreover, it appears not to reduce plaque size and not to have a clinically significant effect on penile curvature. Furthermore, LIPUS also shows a good safety profile during the management of PD and should be recommended for the clinical management of PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A systematic review of the evidence was conducted to assess the efficacy of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) for patients with Peyronie's Disease (PD). Methods: A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Registry, PubMed and Embase databases was conducted to identify all controlled trials, including randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies and case-control studies, focusing on the efficacy of LI-ESWT in treating PD, and published before February 2023. The size of plaques, curvature deviation, visual analog scale [VAS] and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were the most commonly used tool to evaluate the treatment effectiveness of LI-ESWT. Results: There were 7 studies including 475 patients from 1999 to 2023. The meta-analysis of the data revealed that LI-ESWT could considerably enhance the proportion of men experiencing a reduction in penile plaques (RD 0.27, 95% CI: 0.04–0.50, P = 0.02), improvement in penile curvature (RD: 0.13; 95% CI, 0–0.26; p = 0.05), alleviation of pain (RD 0.22, 95% CI: 0.01–0.42, P = 0.04), and complete remission (RD 0.38, 95% CI 0.23–0.52, P < 0.00001). However, there were no significant differences in improvement of sexual function (MD: 1.44; 95% CI, -3.10–5.97; p = 0.53) between LI-ESWT and the placebo group. Conclusions: According to these studies, LI-ESWT has the potential to decrease plaque size and improve penile curvature or pain in men with PD. The publication of robust evidence from additional well-designed long-term multicenter randomized controlled trials would provide more confidence regarding use of these devices in patients with PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peyronie's disease (PD) has detrimental effects on the quality of life, mental health, sexual functioning and several other aspects that increase the risk of relationship problems. However, no study to date has assessed the risk of relationship separation in med with PD. Herein, we utilized data from Swedish national registers to examine the risk of relationship separation in men with PD. We conducted a matched cohort study on men born 1933–1992, followed from 1997 to 2013. PD was defined as a physician-assigned diagnosis according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth version. Each man with PD (n = 8020) was matched with 10 comparison men. We defined relationship separation as (1) ever separated, and (2) separation rate. We used log-linear regression to estimate the risk ratio, and rate ratio of relationship separation. We adjusted for matching variables (birth year and country of birth), and an indicator of each follow-up year. We found that men with PD had a 13% increased risk of relationship separation (risk ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.17). The rate of relationship separation events, measured on a yearly basis, was increased by 18% (rate ratio 1.18, CI 1.12–1.24), and remained similar when adjusting for follow-up year and socio-economic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Peyronie's disease (PD) is known as a wound-healing disorder for which surgery remains the gold-standard treatment, but studies comparing graft materials are limited in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mid- and long-term results of patients who underwent surgery for PD with grafting procedures performed by a single experienced surgeon according to graft materials. Materials and methods: Patients who underwent corporoplasty between 2014 and 2020 with grafting procedures performed by a single experienced surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 115 patients were divided into 4 groups according to the grafting material used: autologous saphenous venous grafts, Group 1 (n = 36); porcine pericardial extracellular matrix grafts (EMGs; XenoGuard, MBP Medical Biomaterial Products GmbH, Neustadt-Glewe, Germany), Group 2 (n = 40); porcine intestinal submucosal EMGs (BioDesign, Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA), Group 3 (n = 36); and bovine pericardial EMGs (Tutopatch, Tutogen Medical, Inc., Alachua, FL, USA), Group 4 (n = 43). Results: The mean operation time for Group 1 was longer than that of the other groups (p < 0.001). When comparing the groups in pairs, it was observed that the duration of postoperative loss of sensation (LOS) was significantly shorter in Group 3 (12.3 ± 5.3 days) and Group 4 (15.1 ± 3.1 days) (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between Groups 1 and 4 in penile length loss when the groups were compared in pairs (p = 0.017). There was a statistically significant difference between patients with penile curvatures of 0° to 59° and patients with curvatures of ≥60° in terms of duration of postoperative LOS (14.4 ± 5 vs. 16.4 ± 5.8 days, respectively; p = 0.028) and penile length loss (2.6 ± 5 vs. 5.7 ± 6.8 mm, respectively; p = 0.002). Conclusion: The findings suggest that EMGs should be preferred to autologous venous grafts due to reduced postoperative erectile dysfunction, shorter operation time, and shorter recovery time for LOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Predisposing factors of Peyronie’s disease remain controversial. We know that obesity has extremely negative effects on erectile tissue. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to examine the relationship between Peyronie’s disease and the body shape index (ABSI), which is a new parameter for the evaluation of visceral adiposity. Materials and Methods: In this study, 55 healthy volunteers (group-1) and 50 Peyronie’s disease patients (group-2). Age, comorbidities, waist circumference (WC), height, body mass index (BMI), testosterone, fasting glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and ABSI scores of all patients were analyzed. In addition, plaque sizes, duration of symptoms, and curvature degrees of patients in group 2 were calculated. Results: The mean ages of group 1 and group 2 were 57.02±8.34 years and 56.02±10.65 years, respectively (p>0.05). Fasting glucose, WC, BMI, and ABSI values were significantly higher in group 2 (p=0.031, p<0.001, p=0.026 and p<0.001). LDL and HDLvalues were similar between both groups (p>0.05). The IIEF score was observed to be lower in group 2 (p<0.001). In terms of ABSI values, the discrimination power of Peyronie’s disease was strong. The cut-off value for the ABSI score was 0.08. For this cut-off point, classification success was determined as 88.0% sensitivity and 80.0% selectivity. Conclusion: ABSI can be a reliable independent risk factor for Peyronie’s disease and a predictor of visceral adiposity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: B-mode ultrasound (US) medical imaging is very effective in localizing and describing Peyronie's disease (PD). Moreover, elastography is a new technique used to evaluate tissue elasticity to detect penile Peyronie's plaques that are not visible using standard B-mode US. Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of real-time elastography (RTE) or strain elastography (SE) in PD patients and to determine whether its combined use with standard US improved diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, this study aimed to assess whether RTE was useful for monitoring PD patients undergoing conservative treatment. Methods: A group of 37 patients with PD in the active phase was selected based on US examination showing isoechoic or hypo-isoechoic plaques, with or without associated hyperechoic or calcified plaque areas. All patients underwent traditional US combined with RTE before starting conservative treatment with antioxidants, during treatment and after treatment. After each examination with RTE, a specific "Strain Ratio"(SR) was used to identify the specific elasticity of the tissue. Results: Using B-mode US with RTE, we detected all 13 non-palpable penile plaques present in the 37 PD patients (100% of cases). Using only B-mode US, we detected only 8 of the 13 non-palpable plaques (61.5% of cases). The Deformation Index (DI) of the plaque decreased during and after treatment in all cases, indicating that RTE is effective for monitoring conservative PD treatment. A statistically significant correlation was found between the DI and plaque volume in all patients (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Our study has shown that the combination of US and RTE methods allowed for a more accurate diagnosis in PD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the combination of the mechanical effects of penile therapy with vacuum erection devices (VEDs) plus PDE5i, which improve clinical outcomes after extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in men affected by erectile dysfunction (ED) associated with Peyronie's disease (PD). Methods: A total of 153 medical records of patients affected by PD in stable stage with ED and treated with ESWT were divided into two groups. Group A (GA) included 72 men treated with ESWT, mechanical stretching with VEDs and PDE5ì (Tadalafil 5 mg), and Group B (GB) included 81 men who received only ESWT plus Tadalafil 5 mg with the same protocol of GA. The patients in both groups were assessed at baseline and follow-up for erectile function, painful erections, penile plaque size, and penile curvature. The results were evaluated at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatments. Results: Three months after the treatment, GA patients had a reduction in penile curvature degree from a mean ± SD of 33.91 ± 8.34° at baseline to a mean ± SD of 19.46 ± 7.15° after 12 months, whereas pain in an erection or during intercourse was resolved completely in 88.9% of the patients. The mean ± SD IIEF-15 score of patients affected by severe/moderate ED further improved significantly in the GA group (p < 0.001) after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment. There were no permanent adverse sequelae after treatments. Conclusions: The regular use of a VED plus Tadalafil in patients who had undergone ESWT significantly provided more benefit in patients with PD in terms of penile deformity, pain, and erectile function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the evidence of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Stem cells therapy (SCT) and Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWL) for the treatment of Peyronies disease (PD), including information from the main urological society guidelines. Materials and Methods: A literature review of PubMed articles published between 2000 and 2023 was conducted, utilizing keywords such as "Peyronie's Disease", "Penile curvature", "Platelet Rich Plasma", "Stem cells", and "Extracorporeal shockwave therapy". Only full-text articles in English were included, excluding case reports and opinions. Results: A considerable number of clinical trials were conducted using PRP penile injections for therapy of PD, showing reduction of curvature, plaque size and improvement in quality of life. Preclinical studies in rats have shown the potential benefit of adipose-derived stem cells, with improvements in erectile function and fibrosis. Human studies with mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated promising results, with reduction of curvature and plaque size. ESWL effects on PD were investigated in randomized clinical trials and demonstrated no significant impact in curvature or plaque size, but reasonable effect on pain control. Conclusion: Restorative therapies has emerged as an innovative treatment option for PD and the results from current studies appear to be promising and demonstrated good safety profile. Unfortunately, due to scarce evidence, PRP and SCT are still considered experimental by American Urological Association (AUA) and European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines. ESWT is recommended, by the same guidelines, for pain control only. More high-quality studies with long-term follow-up outcomes are needed to evaluate efficacy and reproducibility of those therapies.

The tunica albuginea (TA) of the penis is an elastic layer that serves a structural role in penile erection. Disorders affecting the TA cause pain, deformity, and erectile dysfunction. There is a substantial clinical need for engineered replacements of TA, but data are scarce on the material properties and biochemical composition of healthy TA. The objective of this study was to assess tissue organization, protein content, and mechanical properties of porcine TA to establish structure-function relationships and design criteria for tissue engineering efforts. TA was isolated from six pigs and subjected to histomorphometry, quantification of collagen content and pyridinoline crosslinks, bottom-up proteomics, and tensile mechanical testing. Collagen was 20 ± 2%/wet weight (WW) and 53 ± 4%/dry weight (DW). Pyridinoline content was 426 ±131 ng/mg WW, 1011 ± 190 ng/mg DW, and 45 ± 8 mmol/mol hydroxyproline. Bottom-up proteomics identified 14 proteins with an abundance of >0.1% of total protein. The most abundant collagen subtype was type I, representing 95.5 ± 1.5% of the total protein in the samples. Collagen types III, XII, and VI were quantified at 1.7 ± 1.0%, 0.8 ± 0.2%, and 0.4 ± 0.2%, respectively. Tensile testing revealed anisotropy: Young's modulus was significantly higher longitudinally than circumferentially (60 ± 18 MPa vs. 8 ± 5 MPa, p

Introduction Despite direct access to clinicians through the electronic health record, patients are increasingly turning to the internet for information related to their health, especially with sensitive urologic conditions such as Peyronie's disease (PD). Large language model (LLM) chatbots are a form of artificial intelligence that rely on user prompts to mimic conversation, and they have shown remarkable capabilities. The conversational nature of these chatbots has the potential to answer patient questions related to PD; however, the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and readability of these LLMs related to PD remain unknown. Aims To assess the quality and readability of information generated from 4 LLMs with searches related to PD; to see if users could improve responses; and to assess the accuracy, completeness, and readability of responses to artificial preoperative patient questions sent through the electronic health record prior to undergoing PD surgery. Methods The National Institutes of Health's frequently asked questions related to PD were entered into 4 LLMs, unprompted and prompted. The responses were evaluated for overall quality by the previously validated DISCERN questionnaire. Accuracy and completeness of LLM responses to 11 presurgical patient messages were evaluated with previously accepted Likert scales. All evaluations were performed by 3 independent reviewers in October 2023, and all reviews were repeated in April 2024. Descriptive statistics and analysis were performed. Results Without prompting, the quality of information was moderate across all LLMs but improved to high quality with prompting. LLMs were accurate and complete, with an average score of 5.5 of 6.0 (SD, 0.8) and 2.8 of 3.0 (SD, 0.4), respectively. The average Flesch-Kincaid reading level was grade 12.9 (SD, 2.1). Chatbots were unable to communicate at a grade 8 reading level when prompted, and their citations were appropriate only 42.5% of the time. Conclusion LLMs may become a valuable tool for patient education for PD, but they currently rely on clinical context and appropriate prompting by humans to be useful. Unfortunately, their prerequisite reading level remains higher than that of the average patient, and their citations cannot be trusted. However, given their increasing uptake and accessibility, patients and physicians should be educated on how to interact with these LLMs to elicit the most appropriate responses. In the future, LLMs may reduce burnout by helping physicians respond to patient messages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peyronie's disease (PD) is a localized fibrosis of tunica albuginea, which causes the anatomical and functional changes to the penis. Corporoplasty with grafting is indicated in severe (>60°) and complex curvature. Buccal mucosa is the most favored autologous graft material nowadays. The ventrolateral aspect of lingual mucosa has similar histological features to the rest of the oral cavity. Methods: This study aimed to test the efficacy, safety, durability, and reproducibility of corporoplasty with lingual mucosal graft (LMG) in the surgical treatment of PD in terms of surgical outcome, sexual function, and donor site complications. This prospective study included 19 patients of PD with severe and complex curvature, who underwent corporoplasty with LMG. Surgical and functional outcomes were assessed at follow-up planned at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Results: The mean operative time was 126.31 ± 21.45 min. Additional Nesbit's plication to correct the residual deformity was required in 26% (5 / 19) of patients. Straightening of the penis (curvature <10°) was achieved in 89% (17 / 19) of patients. Increase in the penile length (>1 cm) postoperatively was achieved in 63% (12 / 19) of patients and a shortening of penis occurred in 5% (1 / 19) of patients. Newer onset erectile dysfunction developed in 11% (2 / 19) of patients, and patient and partner satisfaction rates were 89% (17 / 19) and 84% (16 / 19), respectively, in a mean follow-up of 20.66 ± 5.37 months. Donor site complications were minimal and no patient had any salivary changes or speech disturbances. Conclusion: LMG provided excellent short-term results in terms of deformity correction, improved sexual function, and minimal donor site morbidity. The method is simple and reproducible, and multicenter studies with larger number of cases with longer follow-up are required to confirm these favorable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study compared the differences of microvesicles (MVs) and microvesicles-delivering Smad7 (Smad7-MVs) on macrophage M1 polarization and fibroblast differentiation in a model of Peyronie's disease (PD). Methods: Overexpression of Smad7 in rat BMSCs was obtained by pCMV5-Smad7 transfection. MVs were collected from rat BMSCs using ultracentrifugation. In cells, 100 µg/mL of MVs or Smad7-MVs were used to treat the 100 ng/mL of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells or 10 ng/mL of recombinant transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced fibroblasts. The pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of M1 macrophages were measured in RAW264.7 cells, and the migration and markers of fibroblast differentiation were measured in fibroblasts. In rats, 50 µg of MVs or Smad7-MVs were used to treat the TGF-β1-induced animals. The pathology of tunica albuginea (TA), the markers of M1 macrophages and fibroblast differentiation in the TA were measured. Results: The MVs or Smad7-MVs treatment suppressed the LPS-induced macrophage M1 polarization and TGF-β1-induced fibroblast differentiation. Moreover, the Smad7-MVs treatment decreased the fibroblast differentiation compared with the MVs treatment. In the TGF-β1-induced TA of rats, MVs or Smad7-MVs treatment ameliorated the TA fibrosis by suppressing the macrophage M1 polarization and fibroblast differentiation. There was no significance on the M1-polarized macrophages between the MVs treatment and the Smad7-MVs treatment. Meanwhile, the Smad7-MVs treatment had an edge in terms of suppressing the fibroblast differentiation in the TGF-β1-induced PD model compared with the MVs treatment. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that Smad7-MVs treatment had advantages over MVs treatment in suppressing of fibroblast differentiation in a model of PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peyronie's disease (PD) affects the penile albuginea, resulting in penile deformity, pain, erectile dysfunction (ED), and an anxious–depressive state. PD diagnosis involves a thorough medical history, penile palpation, documentation of the penile deformation, a dynamic penile echo color Doppler ultrasound (PCDU), and the completion of questionnaires for the evaluation of pain, ED, and psychometric tests. The aim of this study was to evaluate the symptoms of PD and their prevalence in PD patients in the active phase who had access to our andrology clinic. Inclusion criteria: availability of data on patients diagnosed with PD, including detailed medical history, blood tests, penile palpation, photographic documentation of penile deformity, and penile PCDU. Exclusion criteria: PD patients in the stable phase or those without the specified tests and data mentioned above. Our study found a higher prevalence of PD in younger patients (24.2%), a higher coexistence of PD with chronic prostatitis (35.6%), a higher percentage of cases of association between penile deformity and penile curvature (84.4%), a higher prevalence of "significant anxiety" (88.4%), a higher presence of plaque calcification (35.6%), and the detection of a longer duration of the first phase of PD (>18 months). The most frequently observed type of penile curvature was dorsal, followed by left lateral, right lateral, and, less commonly, ventral. We observed a significant statistical correlation between patient age and IIEF score, indicating that patients over the age of 40 years are at a higher risk of experiencing ED. We found a strong statistical relationship between VAS score and age. As age increases, the VAS score decreases, suggesting that younger patients reported more penile pain compared to those who were older than 40 years. Furthermore, we found that penile pain has a significant impact on the psychological state of PD patients. We also found that 38.8% of PD patients suffered from severe anxiety. In relation to this, psychotherapy should be integrated into PD treatment to improve the quality of life and treatment adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAs perception of penile curvature varies widely, we sought to understand how adults perceive curvature and how these opinions compare with those of patients with curvature, specifically Peyronie's disease (PD).AimTo investigate the perspectives of curvature correction from adults with and without PD, as well as differences within demographics.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was administered to adult patients and nonpatient companions in general urology clinics at 3 institutions across the United States. Men, women, and nonbinary participants were recruited. Patients were grouped as having PD vs andrology conditions without PD vs general urology conditions plus companions. The survey consisted of unlabeled 2-dimensional images of penis models with varying degrees of curvature. Participants selected images that they would want surgically corrected for themselves and their children. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify demographic variables associated with willingness to correct.OutcomesOur main outcome was to detect differences in threshold to correct curvature between those with and without PD.ResultsParticipants were grouped as follows: PD (n = 141), andrology (n = 132), and general (n = 302) . Respectively, 12.8%, 18.9%, and 19.9% chose not to surgically correct any degree of curvature (P = .17). For those who chose surgical correction, the mean threshold for correction was 49.7°, 51.0°, and 51.0° (P = .48); for their children, the decision not to correct any degree of curvature was 21.3%, 25.4%, and 29.3% (P = .34), which was significantly higher than correction for themselves (P

The article discusses the implementation of a 'Supported-at-Home' video tuition program for patients self-administering intracavernosal alprostadil injections for erectile dysfunction. The study aimed to assess the safety, efficacy, and acceptability of this method. Results showed that the video instructions were clear and useful, with most patients finding the self-administration process easy. The study concluded that the 'Supported-at-Home' approach is safe, effective, and acceptable, potentially increasing clinic productivity when used alongside traditional face-to-face appointments. [Extracted from the article]

Characterization of Peyronie's disease (PD) involves manual goniometry and penile length measurement. These techniques neglect volume loss or hourglass deformities. Inter-provider variability complicates accuracy. Using 3D-printed models, we aimed to evaluate measurement accuracy and variability and establish computational assessment workflows. Five digital phantoms were created: 13.0 cm cylinder, 13.0 cm hourglass cylinder, 15.0 cm cylinder with 40° angulation, 12.0 cm straight penis, and 12.9 cm PD penis with 68° angulation and hourglass. Lengths, volumes, and angles were determined computationally. Each phantom was 3D-printed. Ten urology providers determined lengths, angles, and volumes with measuring tape, goniometer, and volume calculator. Provider versus computational measurements were compared to determine accuracy using t-tests or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. No significant differences were observed between manual assessment of length of penile models and designed length in penile models. Average curvature angles from providers for bent cylinder and PD phantoms were 38.3° ± 3.9° (p = 0.25) and 57.5° ± 7.2° (p = 0.006), respectively. When assessing for volume, hourglass cylinder and bent cylinder showed significant differences between designed volume and provider averages. All assessments of length, angle, and volume showed significant provider variability. Our results suggest manual measurements suffer from inaccuracy and variability. Computational workflows are useful for improved accuracy and volume assessment.

Purpose: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a regenerative therapy has gained interest in the field of andrology for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and Peyronie's disease (PD). This systematic review aims to critically evaluate the current evidence on the use of PRP for these conditions. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search according to the PRISMA guidelines using PubMed and Scopus databases in December 2023. Studies were included if they evaluated the effect of PRP therapy for ED or PD in humans. Results: We identified 164 articles, 17 of which were included, consisting of 11 studies on ED, 5 studies on PD, and 1 study on both. We included four randomized controlled trials, 11 prospective cohort studies, and three retrospective cohort studies including a total of 1099 patients. The studies on ED and PD generally showed small to moderate benefits with mild and transient side effects and no major adverse events were reported. General limitations included variations in PRP protocols, small sample sizes, short follow-up periods, and lack of control groups except in the three randomized trials on ED and the one on PD. Conclusion: The literature on PRP therapy in andrology is limited and difficult to interpret due to variations in protocols and methodological drawbacks. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal preparation and treatment protocols for PRP therapy and clarify its effectiveness in andrology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To review the literature on the topic, to suggest a common line of treatment applicable across a wide community of specialists, and to contribute in maintaining the high level of interest in this disease. Methods: A comprehensive and exhaustive review of the literature was performed, identifying hundreds of articles on the topic. Results: Peyronie's disease is a condition that has been recognized, studied, and treated for centuries; despite this, if one excludes surgery in cases in which the deformity is stable, no clear treatment (or line of treatment) is available for complete relief of signs and symptoms. Treatment options were divided into local, oral, and injection therapy, and a wide variety of drugs, remedies, and options were identified. Conclusions: Low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy, vacuum therapy, penile traction therapy, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, hyaluronic acid, and collagenase of Clostridium histolyticum may be recommended only in specific contexts. Further studies on individual options or potential combinations are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common clinical condition that mainly affects men aged over 40 years. Various causes contribute to the progression of ED, including pelvic nerve injury, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, age, Peyronie's disease, smoking, and psychological disorders. Current treatments for ED are limited to symptom relief and do not address the root cause. Stem cells, with their powerful ability to proliferate and differentiate, are a promising approach for the treatment of male ED and are gradually gaining widespread attention. Current uses for treating ED have been studied primarily in experimental animals, with most studies observing improvements in erectile quality as well as improvements in erectile tissue. However, research on stem cell therapy for human ED is still limited. This article summarizes the recent literature on basic stem cell research on ED, including cavernous nerve injury, aging, diabetes, and sclerosing penile disease, and describes mechanisms of action and therapeutic effects of various stem cell therapies in experimental animals. Stem cells are also believed to interact with host tissue in a paracrine manner, and improved function can be supported through both implantation and paracrine factors. To date, stem cells have shown some preliminary promising results in animal and human models of ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dupuytren's disease decreases quality of life significantly and often requires surgical treatment, nevertheless there is no actual gold standard. The aim of this study was to introduce the use of minimally invasive pull-through technique. Methods From 2016 to 2020, 52 patients suffering from Dupuytren's contracture were treated with the minimally invasive pull-through technique. We evaluated the improvement in range of motion, pain, disability, and quality of life in the long term. Total extension deficit, quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH), and EuroQol five dimensions—five levels index were systematically scored before each surgical intervention and reevaluated after 24 months. Results Fourteen patients (26.9%) had already received a previous intervention (percutaneous needle aponeurotomy or collagenase Clostridium histolyticum). The mean preoperative total active extension deficit was 84.0 ± 23.3 degrees (55–130 degrees). Mean follow-up was 36 months. There were no cases of tendon rupture or neurovascular injury. Total active extension deficit at the final follow-up was 3.4 ± 2.3 degrees (0–12 degrees). The mean active range of motion of the MCP and PIP joints were, respectively, 90.5 ± 3.3 degrees (85–96 degrees) and 82.7 ± 2.5 degrees (80–87 degrees). At 24 months after cord excision, a mean 10.7 points improvement in the QuickDASH questionnaire was registered (p < 0.001). Pull-through technique was equally effective both on patients with a primary or a recurrent disease. Eight patients (15.4%) had a recurrence of disease in the metacarpophalangeal joint or proximal interphalangeal joint. Conclusion The pull-through technique is a simple, accessible, and effective technique for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. The use of palmar mini-incisions combined with minimal dissection has a low risk of iatrogenic injury to the neurovascular bundles and tendons, and has a low risk of recurrence rate. This study reflects level of evidence IV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To present the functional results obtained and the possible surgical difficulties after the surgical treatment of Dupuytren's disease (DD) recurrence in patients previously treated with Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) collagenase. Materials and methods: In this prospective study, 178 patients with DD were treated with CCH from 2011 to 2018; During long-term postoperative follow-up, 34 patients (19.1%) had recurrence of DD. In all patients injected in the IFP the disease recurred; In patients injected in the MCP, recurrence was highest in grade III and IV of the Tubiana classification, with involvement of the 5th finger and the two-finger Y-chord. Fourteen patients (7,8%) required surgery by partial selective fasciectomy due to recurrence of cord DD infiltration. The clinical and functional results of the patients, the difficulty of the surgical technique and the anatomopathological analysis of the infiltrated cords were evaluated in comparison with those of cords and patients who had had no previous CCH treatment. Results: In all patients, cord rupture was achieved after injection, reducing joint contracture. In 14 patients, we observed during the follow-up the existence of DD recurrence that required surgical treatment by selective partial fasciectomy. There were no major difficulties in surgery and good clinical and functional results at 6 months of follow-up. The anatomopathological study of the resected tissue did not present histological alterations with respect to the samples obtained from patients initially treated by selective partial fasciectomy. Conclusions: Selective fasciectomy after CCH injection does not lead to important operative difficulties, as long as the CCH injection is performed according to the recommendations. There were no histological changes in the tissue after CCH injection. Level of evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Testosterone plays an important role in collagen metabolism, transforming growth factor‐β1 expression, and wound healing, which are all critical factors in pathogenesis of Peyronie's disease. Some clinical studies have suggested an association between Peyronie's disease and hypogonadism. Objective: We sought to investigate whether baseline total testosterone levels influence response to intralesional collagenase clostridium histolyticum in Peyronie's disease. Methods: A retrospective review of patients receiving collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections with available total testosterone levels within 1 year of initial injection was conducted at a single institution. Baseline demographics, hypogonadal status, total testosterone, number of collagenase clostridium histolyticum cycles, and pre‐ and post‐treatment degrees of curvature were collected. Hypogonadism was defined as total testosterone <300 ng/dL. Results and discussion: Thirty‐six men were included with mean age of 58.2 years (SD 10.4) and mean body mass index 26.8 (SD 3.2). The mean total testosterone was 459.2 ng/dL (SD 144.0), and four (11.1%) were hypogonadal. Mean pre‐treatment curvature was 47.6°, and mean post‐treatment curvature was 27.8°, with mean improvement of 19.9° (40.1%). Hypogonadal status was not significantly associated with more severe curvature, 46.4° among hypogonadal men as to 57.5° among eugonadal men (p = 0.32). On linear regression analysis, total testosterone did not significantly predict improvement in degrees (β = –0.02; R2 = 0.06; p = 0.14) or percent (β = 0.0; R2 = 0.05; p = 0.18). Improvement in neither degrees nor percent differed significantly by hypogonadal status (p = 0.41 and 0.82, respectively). The cycle number did significantly predict greater improvement in curvature on both univariate and multivariate analyses (β = 5.7; R2 = 0.34; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Neither total testosterone nor hypogonadism is associated with a degree of improvement after collagenase clostridium histolyticum treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about patients' pre‐treatment expectations in Peyronie's disease (PD). Objective: To evaluate in detail patients' expectations of conservative therapy and surgery. Patients and methods: This multi‐center study prospectively enrolled 317 PD patients, who were scheduled to receive conservative therapy or surgery between 2019 and 2022 at the Department of Urology of the University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, and the Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Medical Center Muenster, both Germany. The primary end‐point was patients' pre‐treatment expectations of conservative therapy and surgery, measured with the Stanford Expectations of Treatment Scale (SETS). Secondary end‐points included patient‐reported psychological and physical symptoms, penile pain, symptom bother and erectile function, measured with the Peyronie's disease questionnaire (PDQ) and International Index of Erectile Function Erectile Function Domain (IIEF‐EF). Results: In total, 239 (75%) and 78 (25%) patients were scheduled for the conservative therapy and surgery, respectively. Patients undergoing surgery had higher positive and negative mean SETS expectations scores (14 vs. 11, p < 0.001; 9.6 vs. 6.0, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, surgery was an independent predictor of positive and negative patients' pre‐treatment expectations (all p ≤ 0.001). In thematic analysis, patients undergoing surgery emphasized distinct themes of pre‐treatment expectations. Patients undergoing surgery had higher mean PDQ symptom bother as well as higher psychological and physical symptom scores (14 vs. 10, p < 0.001; 9.2 vs. 7.1, p = 0.001). There were significant positive correlations between SETS negative expectation score and PDQ symptom bother (|ρ| = 0.25; p < 0.001) as well as PDQ psychological and physical symptoms score, respectively (|ρ| = 0.21; p = 0.001). Conclusion: PD patients expect both more benefit and more harm from surgery. In addition, patients undergoing surgery have more psychological and physical symptoms and more symptom bother. To set realistic expectations, it is of pivotal importance to assess patients' expectations before starting treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Elastography is a noninvasive method that utilizes ultrasound imaging to assess the elasticity and stiffness of soft tissue. Peyronie's disease (PD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the male penis, causing the formation of fibrous plaques. This alters the penis's elasticity and can lead to changes in its shape. Ultrasound elastography (UE) is an important advancement in the diagnosis of PD. It not only identifies plaques, but it also measures their rigidity, providing crucial information to monitor changes during and after treatment. We conducted a narrative review of the scientific literature to identify articles that discuss the use of elastography in the diagnostic study of PD. The purpose of this study was to describe the "state of the art" in the diagnostic use of ultrasound in combination with elastography to highlight any benefits in the diagnosis of PD. We found 12 relevant articles after searching PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar using the keywords "ultrasound elastography" and "Peyronie's disease", including eight clinical studies, two case reports, and two review articles. The results of our review indicate that UE is a useful technique for identifying Peyronie-related plaques, particularly when they are not detectable using a standard ultrasound or physical examination. It is also helpful in monitoring improvements during and after conservative treatments. More research is required to confirm the effectiveness of ultrasound elastography in diagnosing Peyronie's disease and to determine whether it is better than traditional ultrasound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Andrology is the property of Chinese Journal of Andrology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: Some recent studies on PD have focused on the WNT-2 and TGF-β1 gene loci, but its genetic basis is still not clearly known. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the presence of WNT-2 and TGF-β1 gene expression and genetic similarity between patients with Peyronie's disease (PD) and comorbidities, especially diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: Between May 2020 and April 2021, 57 patients diagnosed with PD were included in this cross-sectional study. The presence of comorbidities [Dupuytren's contracture (DC), DM, hypertension (HT), dyslipidemia, and erectile dysfunction (ED)] was recorded. For genetic analysis, the WNT-2 and TGF-β1 genes were analyzed in the patients' serum. Results: The mean age was found to be 50.2. 45.6% of the patients had DM, 19.1% had HT, 14% had dyslipidemia, 5.3% had DC, and 40.4% had ED. TGF-β1 gene expression was found to be increased in all patients; WNT-2 gene expression was found to be increased in 80.7%. When subtypes of the TGF-β1 and WNT-2 gene expression were analyzed, 52.6% of patients with WNT-2 gene expression and 95.5% of patients with TGF-β1 gene expression were found to be homozygous, and the others were found to be heterozygous. Patients with DM and PD had significantly higher homozygous WNT-2 gene expression (p=0.03). No significant relationship was found between other comorbidities and these genes. Conclusion: Homozygous WNT-2 gene expression was found to be increased in PD with DM. These data could be used to explain the genetic pathophysiology of PD in diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of medical treatment options for Peyronie's disease (PD) including oral drugs, intralesional treatment and mechanical treatment compared with placebo treatment using network meta-analysis (NMA). Materials and Methods: We searched the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PD in PubMed, Cochrane library, and EMBASE up to October 2022. RCTs included medical treatment options: oral drugs, intralesional treatment and mechanical treatment. Studies reporting at least one of the outcome measures of interest including curvature degree, plaque size, and structured questionnaires (International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF) were included. Results: Finally, 24 studies including 1,643 participants met our selection criteria for NMA. There was no statistically significant treatment compared to placebo of the curvature degree, plaque size, IIEF in Bayesian analysis. The SUCRA values of ranking probabilities for each treatment performance, which indicated that hyperthermia device ranked first in NMA. However, in frequentist analysis, 7 of mono treatments (coenzyme Q10 [CoQ10] 300 mg, hyperthermia device, interferon alpha 2b, pentoxifylline 400 mg, propionyl-L-carnitine 1 g, penile traction therapy [PTT], vitamin E 300 mg) and 2 of combination treatments (“PTT–extracorporeal shockwave treatment”, “vitamin E 300 mg–propionyl-L-carnitine 1 g”) were statistically significant for improvement of curvature degree, and 9 of mono treatments (CoQ10 300 mg, hyaluronic acid 16 mg, hyperthermia device, interferon alpha 2b, pentoxifylline 400 mg, propionyl-L-carnitine 1 g, verapamil 10 mg, vitamin E 300 mg, vitamin E 400 U) and 3 of combination treatments ("interferon alpha 2b–vitamin E 400 U", "verapamil 10 mg–antioxidants", “vitamin E 300 mg–propionyl-L-carnitine 1 g”) were statistically significant in the improvement of plaque size. Conclusions: At present, there is no clinical treatment alternatives that have been demonstrated to be effective compared to placebo. Nonetheless, as the frequentist approach has shown that a number of agents are efficacious, further research is expected to develop more effective treatment options.

Background: Cell therapy (CT) is a form of regenerative medicine under investigation for the management of male sexual dysfunction (MSD). Aim: We sought to perform a systematic review of published information on CT for MSD and provide an official position statements for the European Society for Sexual Medicine. Methods: A comprehensive bibliographic search on the MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted in February 2023. Articles were selected based on the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, Study design (PICOS) model if they included male patients (P) undergoing CT (I) with or without comparison with other treatments (C) and evaluated the impact of CT on sexual function (O). Quantitative data were reported as found in the original studies (S). Level of evidence and grade of recommendation according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine were assigned to each statement. Outcomes: Outcomes were determined based on assessment of erectile function, ejaculatory function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, and penile curvature. Results: A total of 19 studies and 421 patients were included. Most articles (n = 12, 63%) were case series, whereas a minority of papers (n = 6, 32%) had a comparative group; only 2 articles reported randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 1 article reported a post hoc analysis of RCTs. Most articles (16, 84%) investigated patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Improvements in the International Index of Erectile Function–Erectile Function Domain (IIEF-EF) or the IIEF 5-item version (IIEF-5) were found in 11/15 (73%) studies, with mean increases in IIEF-EF, mean IIEF-5, and median IIEF-EF between 8 and 14 points, 2 and 9 points, and 4.5 and 6 points, respectively. Two papers (20%) evaluated men with Peyronie's disease (PD). In both ot these articles penile curvature improvement and plaque volume reduction were described in all patients (n = 16, 100%). Objective measurements were performed in 1 study, which showed 10°-120° (15%-100%) curvature improvement and 90%-100% plaque reduction. Mild transient adverse events at the donor or administration sites were found in 7/16 (44%) papers on ED. Priapism was reported in one case (20%) and mild penile skin complications were reported in the majority of patients after CT for PD. No severe adverse events were described. Clinical Implications: Although high-quality evidence is lacking, CT appears to have potential benefits from application in patients with ED or PD. Strengths and Limitations: This report is to our knowledge the most comprehensive and up-to-date systematic review on the topic of CT for the management of MSD, including the position statements of the European Society for Sexual Medicine. Overall the assessment of available studies demonstrated low quality and significant heterogeneity. Conclusion: Preliminary findings support potential efficacy and safety of CT in patients with ED or PD. Low-quality papers, high methodological heterogeneity, uncertainty about the magnitude of the beneficial effects, and lack of long-term data limit the available evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]