Evaluating the Impact of Penile Girth Discrepancy on Patient Bother in Men with Peyronie's Disease: An Observational Study

Background Men with Peyronie's disease (PD) may experience penile narrowing. Little data on penile girth changes and their psychosocial impact exist. Aim To assess girth discrepancy in men with PD and its association with patient bother. Methods 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. Outcomes 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. Results 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 Clinical Implications Penile girth changes have little impact on overall psychosocial well-being. The degree of penile curvature is the primary predictor of patient bother. Strengths and Limitations Strengths include a large patient population and use of validated questionnaires. Limitations include single-center, retrospective study and subjective instability grading. Conclusions Penile girth discrepancy in men with PD has limited psychosocial impact. Clinically significant bother was associated with the degree of primary curvature.