Coping styles in patients with hypospadias

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Psychology
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Hypospadias repair generally yields good outcomes, but some patients experience reduced quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial adjustment.
• Passive coping styles are linked to poorer QoL in other pediatric populations.
• Coping styles in hypospadias patients have not been previously analyzed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the coping styles employed by adult men who underwent hypospadias repair in childhood.
• To determine if specific hypospadias characteristics correlate with particular coping styles.
• To explore the potential link between coping styles and long-term QoL in hypospadias patients.

Main Methods:

• Adult men (n=55) with a history of hypospadias repair were assessed using the Utrecht Coping List (UCL).
• Coping styles were compared to a reference group of healthy male students (n=55).
• Subgroup analyses considered hypospadias severity, surgery timing, and postoperative complications.

Main Results:

• Hypospadias patients exhibited significantly higher scores in Avoidance compared to controls (P<0.05).
• Patients with proximal hypospadias or postoperative complications showed increased Avoidance and decreased Seeking Social Support.
• Coping style scores did not significantly differ based on hypospadias severity, surgery timing, or complication occurrence within the hypospadias group.

Conclusions:

• Adults with a history of hypospadias, particularly those with proximal hypospadias or postoperative complications, more frequently utilize avoidant coping strategies.
• Targeted attention to coping styles during follow-up care may enhance the QoL for individuals with hypospadias.
• Further research into psychosocial aspects of hypospadias is warranted to optimize patient outcomes.