Uncontrolled diabetes is linked with Peyronie’s disease complications

Data from a recent retrospective study point to an association between uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and complications of Peyronie’s disease.¹

The research was presented by Jason Adam Levy, DO, MS, instructor of urology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, during the 2021 Sexual Medicine Society of North America Fall Scientific Meeting.

The investigators performed a retrospective study of patients with Peyronie’s disease and diabetes mellitus presenting to Johns Hopkins University between December 2015 and June 2020. Data were collected on patient age, race, marital status, body mass index, comorbidities, social history, immunocompromised status. Characteristics of Peyronie’s disease assessed included age of diagnosis, duration (months), trauma history, connective tissue disease, presence of penile deformity (determined by physical exam, photographs, and penile Doppler ultrasound), plaque size and location, penile curvature, Sexual Health Inventory for Men score.

Characteristics of diabetes mellitus assessed included type, HbA1c levels at different time points, onset, duration, controlled or uncontrolled, duration of diabetes medication (years), treatment stages, diabetic complications, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and albuminuria. An HbA1c level greater than 7% at the time was considered uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.

The investigators evaluated 119 patients, in whom HbA1c levels were documented in 68 patients. Median HbA1c level was 7.2%. A total of 36 patients (52.9%) had an HbA1c level greater than 7%.

As indicated by regression analysis, there was a significant association between the degree of penile curvature and status of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus after adjusting for age, BMI, presence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, and smoking status. Additionally, an increase in HbA1c level after initial diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease positively correlated with a formation of penile plaque (rho =.0.34; P = .04)

“Our study suggested that uncontrolled [diabetes mellitus] and a further increase in HbA1c levels after the [Peyronie’s disease] diagnosis significantly impact the severity of [Peyronie’s disease]. Revealing mechanisms behind this will help us develop better management strategies in diabetic [Peyronie’s disease] patients,” the investigators concluded.

Reference

1. Karakus S, Dai D, Joseph C, Levy J, Hawksworth D, Burnett AL. Association of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus with complications of Peyronie’s disease. Paper presented at 2021 Sexual Medicine Society of North American Fall Scientific Meeting; October 21-24, 2021; Scottsdale, Arizona. Abstract 170.