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Sickle cell disease status and outcomes of African-American men presenting with priapism

Bennett N, Mulhall J

The journal of sexual medicine, 2008

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Priapism is associated with sickle cell disease (SSD); however, few men receive education about this condition, which contributes to attenuated return of functional erections.

AIM: To define the demographics, SSD status, and treatment outcomes of African-American men presenting with priapism.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographics, medical history, self-report of sickle cell status, and outcome assessment using International Inventory of Erectile Function (IIEF) of men with priapism were retrospectively reviewed.

METHODS: A review of 39 cases of venocclusive priapism in African-American men was conducted. Charts were reviewed for demographics, medical history including SSD status by patient self-report, serum hemoglobin electrophoresis results, and priapism treatment and outcome.

RESULTS: Mean duration of presenting priapism episode was 22 +/- 12 hours (6-70 hours). Eight percent of men had priapism for 36 hours. All patients with priapism events of >12 hours complained of reduction in erectile rigidity. No patients with priapism >36 hours duration had return of spontaneous functional erections, but 44% (24-36 hours), 78% (12-24 hours) and 100% (<12 hours) were able to generate functional erections with or without the use of sildenafil. Follow-up IIEF erectile function domain scores paralleled incidence of functional erections. Penile shunt surgery was required in 28%. Only 5% of men recalled learning that priapism was a complication of SSD. Six men denied a…

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