BERKELEY, CA USA (Press Release) - August 30, 2012 -
This week at the 2012 World Meeting on Sexual Medicine, researchers reported eight new medical studies on progressive treatments for Peyronie’s disease, a men’s health issue linked to sexual dysfunction in middle-age men. UroToday.com, a medical website for urologists is joining the patient advocacy group PeyroniesAssociation.org to increase awareness and expand medical education for physicians and patients.
UroToday.com reporting from the World Meeting on Sexual Medicine this week joins the Association of Peyronie’s Disease Advocates (APDA) to increase awareness of a men’s health issue that is increasing in prevalence among baby boomers. While U.S. health statistics indicates a conservative incidence of Peyronie’s disease (1 in 100 men, ages 40-60) medical researchers from U.S., Europe and Brazil are now citing studies showing a much higher prevalence of 3.2-8.9 percent.
Laurence Levine, MD, Professor of Urology, Rush University Medical Center and a member of the APDA Board of Directors, says, “It’s important for men who think they may have Peyronie’s disease to be evaluated by a physician because early treatment may be able to stop the progression of the disease or lessen the deformity. “
UroToday and the APDA [http://peyroniesassociation.org] will be increasing the amount of monthly posted content focusing on current medical evidence and education resources. The penile deformity, while most often diagnosed in middle-aged men of European-descendants, is increasingly being diagnosed in men worldwide. “ The use of PDE-5 medications for erectile dysfunction may be helpful to identify Peyronie’s disease earlier,” adds Dr. Levine. In addition, studies show a growing number of prostate cancer surgery patients appear to have a higher incidence of Peyronies (up to 16 percent based on studies by J. Mulhall, et al., Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center).
Stan Hardin, Director and President of APDA, is a Peyronie’s patient and founded the patient advocacy organization in 2002. “I’m pleased to have the support of an APDA medical advisory board represented by leading urologists and psychologists in the field. The disease is often difficult to talk about, but the APDA website is designed to assure men that they are not alone and support exists for this condition.“ The website includes a list of physicians by state and country who specialize in treating Peyronie’s, a confidential forum where men can post questions, as well as, pages of useful information about the disease and the treatments available.
“We try to correct misconceptions,” adds Mr. Hardin. Peyronie’s disease is a wound-healing disorder that activates abnormal scarring which results in the loss of elasticity of the scar tissue. The deformity can include curvature, shortening or indentation. This disease is also associated with erectile dysfunction and affects the man both physically and psychologically.
At the 2012 World Meeting on Sexual medicine, a majority of the physicians surveyed during the Peyronie’s sessions agreed early diagnosis in the first 12 months appears to provide better treatment outcomes and stop the progression of the scarring process. Of the treatment options, very little evidence currently supports the use of oral drugs or supplements, including Vitamin E, according to Italian researcher Tullio Graziottiin, MD. Currently no oral medications are approved in the U.S. or Europe Medical Association for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease. Clinical trials of new intralesional injection therapies are currently under investigation and show promise. Several urologists presented updated information about improved surgical techniques, considered the gold-standard for treating Peyronie’s patients.
In some cases (12 to 15 percent) the Peyronie’s disease symptoms may spontaneously resolve during the first 12 months, considered the acute stage of the disease. Wayne Hellstrom, MD, Professor of Urology and Chief of Andrology, Tulane University School of Medicine and the Peyronie’s disease master lecturer during the world Meeting on Sexual Medicine said, “ Men are encouraged to talk to their physician about Peyronie’s disease including changes in erectile function and symptom progression. The psychological effect on one’s manhood is a big concern with patients. In a best case scenario, the patient’s spouse or partner is involved and informed.”
Mr. Hardin believes that starts by being a better informed patient and knowing what questions to ask. He suggests, “Be your own advocate and use resources that have verified, evidence-based information sources; then empower yourself by talking to your partner and a physician. In some cases, a counselor may be very helpful. The man needs to know that there are options to improve quality of life.”
About UroToday.com
UroToday is an online medical resource published by Digital Science Press, Inc. representing a worldwide urologic-oncology readership of more than 33,000 urologic physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and health educators. Since, 2003, UroToday.com has reported evidence-based medicine on all categories of urology health and including prostate, bladder and renal cancers.
About the Association of Peyronie's Disease Advocates
Created in 2002, the Association of Peyronie’s Disease Advocates (APDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to provide men with Peyronies disease, his partner and family, and the physicians and healthcare providers updated information about the disease. The website peyroniesassociation.org includes a physician search option for doctors specializing in Peyronie’s diagnosis and treatment, and provides resources for patients and their families to confidentially seek answers to their questions.
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