Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of young patients with Peyronie’s disease: a retrospective study

Abstract

The average age of men affected by Peyronie’s disease (PD) is approximately 50–55 years, but cases have been reported even in adolescence. Several studies have already investigated the presence of PD in young men, and these studies reported a PD prevalence that varies between 1.5% and 10.8%. Having noticed a greater number of young patients in our centers in recent years, we decided to carry out a retrospective study to evaluate the prevalence of PD in patients aged <40 years, as well as to investigate any possible difference in evolution based on the age of PD patients. We selected a sample of patients (n=271) with a similar time of onset of disease. We then stratified all 271 patients into two groups: group A (age <40 years [n=46]) and group B (age ≥40 years [n=225]). All 271 patients were evaluated for the following variables: penile plaque volume, degree of penile curvature, penile pain, and erectile function. Plaque volume was measured in cm³ by dynamic penile color Doppler sonography after administration of intracavernosal alprostadil 10 mcg. The number of younger patients was 46, accounting for 16.9% of the whole sample. Our study showed more frequent appearance and greater progression of penile curvature in younger patients. The average angle of penile curvature and average score of penile pain intensity in the younger men were significantly higher than in patients aged ≥40 years (P=0.025 and P=0.0001, respectively). In the younger patients, not only was the pain more intense (visual analog scale [VAS] of 5.2 versus 3.8), but it was also more frequently present than in patients aged ≥40 years (78.2% versus 62.2%) (P=0.042). We may conclude that since PD in young patients has a more acute onset and a greater possibility of progression, it should be treated conservatively as soon as it is diagnosed.

Keywords:

• Peyronie
• young men
• prevalence
• penile curvature

Introduction

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa. It is characterized from the outset by an inflammatory zone (plaque) where there is excessive production of collagen by fibroblasts and myofibroblasts.^1,2 Several studies have shown that the excess of collagen present in PD is associated with a production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TGF-β1.^3,4 As penile plaque progressively builds up, it causes a reduction in elasticity in the affected region, which can frequently result in morphological changes of the penis: simple depressions, penile curvature, “hourglass” shape, and shortening of the penis.

PD is often associated with pain and erectile dysfunction. When the disease progresses, it inevitably makes penetration difficult or impossible.

Although the exact etiology of PD has not been elucidated yet, trauma has generally been recognized as a fundamental pathogenetic mechanism.^5–7 Trauma or repeated microtrauma to the erect penis in genetically predisposed patients would thus trigger the inflammatory mechanism that leads to the deposition of fibrin and progressive destruction of elastic fibers.^8–10 However, a number of studies have found a genetic and immunological component in patients with PD.^11,12 A recent study has shown highly statistically significant association between PD and autoimmune disorders (odds ratio =4.90; P<0.01).¹³

The frequent coexistence of PD and other diseases, such as Dupuytren’s disease and Paget’s disease, is known.^14–16 A recent study has shown that WNT2 is a genetic locus involved in genetic predisposition for both Dupuytren’s disease and PD.¹⁷

Contrary to general belief, PD is not at all uncommon, and its prevalence varies between 3.2% and 13%.^18–20 The average age of men affected by this disease is approximately 50–55 years, but cases have been reported even in adolescence.²¹ In the literature, the presence of PD at a young age (<40 years) has already been studied. In this age group, studies reported a prevalence of PD that varies between 1.5% and 10.8%.^22–25 Having noticed, in recent years, a greater number of young patients in our centers, we decided to carry out a retrospective study to evaluate the prevalence of affected patients aged <40 years. A further purpose of the study was to investigate a possible different evolution based on the age of PD patients.

Materials and methods

This study was conducted by analyzing 441 patients with PD who were seen and treated at our center during the period between January 1, 2011 and January 1, 2015. As we planned to take into consideration the presence of a possible difference in evolution (volume of plaque, change in curvature angle, etc) between the two age groups (patients <40 years and patients ≥40 years), we selected a sample of 271 patients who had a similar time of onset of disease corresponding to 8 to 12 months (271/441=61.4%). The ages of the patients ranged between 20 and 73 years, with a mean age of 51.6 years. After the first meeting, all 271 patients were evaluated for the following variables: penile plaque volume, degree of penile curvature, penile pain, and erectile function. Plaque volume was measured, in cm³, by dynamic penile color Doppler sonography after administration of intracavernosal alprostadil 10 mcg. To calculate the volume of the penile plaque, we measured its three dimensions and used an ellipsoid formula: $\mathrm{V}=\text{length}\times \text{width}\times \text{thckness}\times 0:52$(1) which is typically used in other urogenital diseases.^26–28 Penile curvature was evaluated in the course of erection, with penile dynamic color-duplex Doppler ultrasonography and photography through the penis, according to the Kelami technique.²⁹

Where present, the intensity of penile pain was measured by a numerical rating scale (visual analog scale [VAS] score), where 0 signified no pain and 10 signified the worst pain possible.³⁰ Evaluation of erectile function was carried out by administering the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire.³¹ We used the full questionnaire of 15 questions and evaluated the answers to questions 1–5 and 15, specific to erectile function. We considered normal a score as 26–30 points; patients who had a total score of less than 26 points were therefore identified as suffering from erectile dysfunction.³¹

We then stratified all 271 patients into two age groups: group A (age <40 years [n=46]) and group B (age ≥40 years [225]).

This study was conducted in compliance with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, according to its fourth revision in 2000. Although this was a retrospective study, all patients signed an informed consent form.

Statistical analysis

Categorical variables were compared statistically using the χ² test, whereas continuous parameters were compared using the two-tailed Student’s t-test. A value of P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The Primer of Biostatistics (statistical software) was used for the statistical analysis.

Results

The age of the 271 patients ranged between 20 and 73 years, with an average (± standard deviation [SD]) of 51.6 years (±11.9 years).

The clinical characteristics of the study patients were summarized in Table 1. As shown in the table, the number of younger patients aged less than 40 years was 46, accounting for 16.9% of the whole sample. The age of the younger patients ranged from 20 to 39 years, with a mean (± SD) age of 31.6 years (±4.8 years), and disease onset was on average 10.08 months (±1.44 months) prior. The patients aged over 40 years numbered 225 (83.02% of all the cases). The age of the older patients ranged from 40 to 73 years, with a mean age of 55.7 years (± 8.3 years), and their disease onset was on average 10.06 months (±2.02 months) prior.

Table 1 Clinical characteristics of PD patients in the two groups

Characteristics	Younger PD patients (<40 years) group A	Older PD patients (≥40 years) group B	Statistical analysis P-value A versus B
PD patients, n (%)	46 (16.97%)	225 (83.02%)	–
Age (years)	31.67±4.86	55.74±8.32	P<0.0001 (t-test)
Time since PD onset (months)	10.08±1.44	10.06±2.02	P=0.939 (t-test)
Plaque volume (cm^3)	0.789±0.876	0.520±0.472	P=0.0033 (t-test)
Objective penile curvature, n (%)	40 (86.9%)	178 (79.1%)	P=0.307 (χ^2 test)
Curvature (°)	30.55±12.71	25.61±12.46	P=0.0252 (t-test)
Associated penile pain during erection, n (%)	36 (78.26%)	140 (62.22%)	P=0.042 (χ^2 test)
Vas score of PD patients with penile pain	5.25±1.18	3.83±2.05	P=0.0001 (t-test)
Associated ED, n (%)	15 (32.6%)	83 (36.8%)	P=0.617 (χ^2 test)
Erectile function index of PD patients with ED	20.133±3.398	20.156±4.004	P=0.983 (t-test)

Note: Values were expressed as mean ± SD, unless otherwise stated.

Abbreviations: ED, erectile dysfunction; PD, Peyronie’s disease; SD, standard deviation; Vas, visual analog scale.

Sonographic observation of the average volume of penile plaque was also different in the two age groups. In patients aged <40 years, the average volume of plaque was 0.789 cm³, while in patients aged ≥40 years, it was 0.520 cm³ (P=0.003). A similar difference was detected with respect to angle of curvature and intensity of pain. In patients aged <40 years, the average angle of curvature was 30.5°, while in patients aged ≥40 years, the average angle was 25.61° (P=0.025).

In patients aged <40 years, the mean pain score (VAS score) was 5.2, while in patients aged ≥40 years, the average score was 3.8 (P=0.0001).

There were no statistically significant differences with regard to the presence of erectile dysfunction or its IIEF score in the two age groups.

Diabetes was noted in 2.1% (1/46) of the patients under the age of 40 years and in 12.4% (28/225) of the patients aged ≥40 years (P=0.0375).

Discussion

In the scientific literature, the prevalence of PD at a young age (<40 years) is indicated to vary between 1.5% and 10.8%.^22–25 Our retrospective study shows a significantly higher prevalence of PD in young patients (16.97%). It must be noted that the previous studies are outdated, as the most recent of these dates back to 8 years ago,²⁵ and one can go as far back as references to case histories collected between 1950 and 1984.²² We think that in addition to differences in demographic and social contexts, our study was carried out at a time of better understanding and information on PD. Until a few years ago, for example, there was no forum – either in Italy or abroad – dedicated to patients with this disease, and it is now known that younger people resort more often to the media, particularly the Internet, for any type of information, including medical information. A survey carried out by CENSIS Italian Foundation (Center for Social Studies and Policies) in 2014 revealed that young people (aged 14–44 years) use news websites much more than do people over the age of 44.³² So we hypothesize that the more frequent search for information carried out by the younger population may provide a greater chance of diagnosis for younger patients, resulting in a higher incidence of patients with PD in the lower age groups. Besides this, the results of our study showed significant differences between the two age groups. At an equal distance of time from the beginning of the disease, the average penile plaque (zone of PD) was significantly greater in the group of younger patients (P=0.003). This increased progression of PD and its more acute debut in younger patients has already been confirmed in the studies by other authors.^22–24 Likewise, the appearance and progression of penile curvature were higher in younger patients: the average angle of penile curvature and the average score of penile pain intensity in young men were significantly higher than in patients ≥40 years (P=0.025 and P=0.0001, respectively). In the younger patients, pain was more intense (VAS =5.2 versus 3.8) and was also more frequently present than in patients aged ≥40 years (78.2% versus 62.2%) (P=0.042). In our study, differences with regard to the presence of erectile dysfunction and to IIEF score in the two age groups were not statistically significant; in our opinion, this is a result of the natural higher prevalence of ED in older patients.

In contrast to findings of other authors,²⁵ diabetes was noted in 2.1% (1/46) of the patients under the age of 40 years.

Conclusion

Our study shows a significant increase in the prevalence of PD in the younger population, and this update adds to our current understanding of the pathophysiological characteristics of the disease.

Our results show a 16.9% prevalence of PD, which is higher than in older studies. Further important points that have emerged from our study concern the younger patients with PD (age ≥40 years): in these patients, the disease progressed faster, and penile nodules tended to increase more in size over the same time span. The same was true for the level of penile curvature and the intensity of pain, which were greater than in patients aged ≥40 years. Since several studies on the “natural history” of PD have confirmed a high percentage of worsening and low rates of spontaneous resolution,^28,33–35 we may conclude that as PD in young patients has a more acute onset and a greater possibility of progression, it should be treated conservatively as soon as it is diagnosed.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.