Men with sickle cell disease experience greater sexual dysfunction when compared with men without sickle cell disease

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Hematology
• Sexual Medicine

Background:

• Recurrent ischemic priapism is a known complication of sickle cell disease (SCD).
• Sexual dysfunction is a concern for men with SCD, but its prevalence relative to priapism is not well-defined.
• Understanding the burden of priapism and sexual dysfunction in SCD is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the prevalence, characteristics, and types of priapism and sexual dysfunction in men with and without SCD.
• To test the hypothesis that sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in men with SCD.

Main Methods:

• A comparative cross-sectional survey was conducted in Kano, Nigeria.
• Included 500 men with SCD and 250 men without SCD (ages 18-40).
• Utilized the Priapism Questionnaire and International Index of Erectile Function for assessments.

Main Results:

• Priapism prevalence was significantly higher in men with SCD (32.6%) versus controls (2%; P < .001).
• Stuttering priapism comprised 73.6% of episodes in SCD patients; nearly 50% sought no medical attention.
• Erectile dysfunction was more than twofold higher in men with SCD (P = .01).

Conclusions:

• Men with SCD have a substantially higher prevalence of priapism and associated sexual dysfunction.
• A significant gap exists in seeking medical care for priapism among SCD patients.
• Priapism negatively impacts the self-image and emotional well-being of men with SCD.