Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP56-16
Sources of Funding: None

Introduction

Various treatment options exist for men diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease (PD), but the literature is relatively sparse regarding patient utilization of available therapies and their own perception of treatment success over time. Our data explore the resources used and treatment choices made by men following their diagnosis with PD.

Methods

A mailed survey was sent to 719 randomly selected PD men who were evaluated at our institution from 1990-2012. Specific question stems included evaluation of various treatments and their associated efficacies as well as preferred resources for further information on PD. Results were summarized as a descriptive report with statistical analyses performed as indicated.

Results

A total of 162 men (median age 55) responded to the survey with a median PD duration of 9.2 years. Respondents used a variety of sources for information about PD including medical websites (38.9% of respondents), physician (35.8%), and books / internet forums (<1%). Overall, patients felt that 59% (SD= 40) of the physicians they had consulted had a good understanding of PD while the remainder appeared to lack an adequate understanding of the disease. Less than 1% used books or internet forums for information. Regarding treatments, 53.1% of men had tried at least one of surgery, medication, topical therapy, injection, vacuum or traction devices with 37.2% trying two or more therapies. In comparing therapies, 82.8% of those undergoing surgery reported improvement, compared to 60% on oral medication, 57.1% of injection therapies (note: prior to collagenase era), and 30.2% of vacuum / traction devices. _x000D_ A subset analysis of 49 patients who tried vacuum (43/49) or traction (6/49) devices was performed and demonstrated that 46.9% reported improved curvature and 8.2% improved length._x000D_ No correlations were noted between subjective increase in penile length and the duration of vacuum or traction therapy. _x000D_

Conclusions

Among a cohort of PD men responding to a mail-in survey, medical websites were the most widely used source of information on PD, with nearly 30% of physicians perceived to lack an understanding of the disease. Almost half of PD patients choose not to pursue any kind of treatment. These results suggest a need for additional patient and provider education on the diagnosis and available therapies for PD therapies.

Funding

None