Association between chronic hepatitis B virus infection and premature ejaculation in a Turkish population

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and premature ejaculation (PE) in a Turkish Population. Materials/methods: A total of 147 patients with chronic HBV infection and 150 healthy volunteers were included in the multi-center case-control study. PE was evaluated using the five-item Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) validated in Turkish men. Results: The presence of PE was significantly higher in the HBV-infected group compared with the control group (32.7 vs 18.7%; p = 0.006). The METAVIR fibrosis score was significantly higher in the PE group than in the non-PE group (p = 0.028). Discussion & conclusion: PE is more common in HBV-infected patients than in healthy individuals. Chronic liver damage is more common in HBV-infected patients with PE.

Plain language summary

Premature ejaculation (PE) is when a male ejaculates earlier than desired during sex. It is not clear why this happens, but it might be related to health problems such as diabetes, poor sleep, being overweight, feeling stressed and vitamin deficiency. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) mainly affects the liver and can cause long-term illnesses. In this study, we examined whether there was a connection between HBV infection and PE in men from Türkiye. We examined 147 men with HBV infection and 150 healthy controls. We found that men with HBV infection may have a higher risk of developing PE. Early detection and control of HBV infection are important.

Article highlights

Introduction

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus can cause acute and chronic infections.

• Early ejaculation is defined as the ejaculation of the male within a very short period with the onset of vaginal penetration or any sexual stimulation.

• To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first investigation into the relationship between HBV infection and premature ejaculation (PE).

Methods

• This study had a multi-center and case-control design.

• A total of 147 patients with chronic HBV infection who underwent a liver biopsy and 150 healthy volunteers were included in the study.

• Premature ejaculation was evaluated with the five-item Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT).

• The METAVIR fibrosis scoring system was used to evaluate the liver fibrosis score.

Results

• The median PEDT score was 10 (3–13) in the HBV-infected patients and 7 (2–11) in the controls (p < 0.0001).

• PE was present in 18 of the 32 HBV-infected patients (56.3%) with advanced liver fibrosis (METAVIR fibrosis score: 3–4) and 30 of the 115 HBV-infected patients (26.1%) with a METAVIR fibrosis score of 0–2 (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

• PE is more common in HBV-infected patients than in healthy controls.

• Chronic liver damage is more common in HBV-infected patients with PE.

• Our results suggest that a multisystemic evaluation can improve the quality of life of chronic HBV-infected patients.

Keywords: :

• chronic hepatitis B
• hepatitis B
• intravaginal ejaculatory latency time
• METAVIR fibrosis score
• premature ejaculation
• premature ejaculation diagnostic tool

Financial disclosure

The authors have no financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Competing interest disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

Kütahya Health Sciences University Ethics Committee approved the study on September 14, 2022, with the decision number “2022/09-125”. Written consent was obtained from the participants.