Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Acromegaly is a systemic disease frequently characterized by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, endothelial dysfunction and diseases classically associated with an increased incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) (hypertension, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose metabolism) and premature ejaculation (prostatic disease). Furthermore, the high prevalence of ED may negatively affect ejaculatory function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ejaculatory function of patients with acromegaly.

Patients and methods: Seventy-two patients (47.8±8.6 years) were enrolled into the study. Among these patients, 48 were in remission (7 after surgery and 41 in medical therapy) and 26 in active disease (21 newly diagnosed and 5 in medical therapy). All patients were subjected to the questionnaire for the assessment of sexual function (IIEF-15), to a questionnaire for the detection of premature ejaculation (PEDT-premature ejaculation diagnostic tool) consisting of five questions and to a transabdominal prostatic ultrasound. Patients were divided into two groups according to normal (group A) or high (group B) levels of IGF1.

Results: ED was present in 23 of 72 patients (32%) and premature ejaculation (PE) was present in 13 patients (18%). No statistically significant difference was found between groups A and B with respect to the scores of all IIEF scales, the score of PEDT and the prevalence of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation (9/49 vs 4/23). The prevalence of PE in acromegalic patients with ED (4/23, 17%) was not different from that of patients without ED (9/49, 18%). The score of desire was significantly lower in patients with PE compared to patients without PE (7.6±1.6 vs 6.4±2, P<0.005). Prostate disorders (prostatitis and hypertrophy) were observed in 50% of patients. The prevalence of PE was not significantly different between patients with and without prostatic diseases.

Conclusions: Premature ejaculation does not have a high prevalence in patients with acromegaly, despite the high presence of prostatic diseases. Further studies may clarify these abservations.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.