This comprehensive, evidence-based meta-analysis concisely presents the evidence of decreased sperm concentration in European male over the past 50 years to serve the scientific research zone related to male reproductive health.
Reports regarding the changes in sperm concentration in different counties of the world are inconsistent. Furthermore, the reports that sprung up from specific epidemiological and experimental examinations did not include data of prior studies or geographical variations. The current study, following a previous report of massive fall in semen volume over the past 33 years, attempts to delineate the trend of altering sperm concentrations and factors responsible for this by reviewing article published from 1980 to July 2015 with geographic differences. The current study identified an overall 57% diminution in mean sperm concentration over the past 35 years (r = −.313, p = .0002), which, when analyzed for each geographical region, identified a significant decline in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. An increasing trend of sperm concentration was identified only in Australia. The association of male age with such a trend (R 2 = .979) is reported. The authors also correlated male fertility with sperm concentration. Thus, this comprehensive, evidencebased literature review aims to concisely and systematically present the available data on sperm concentration from 1980 to 2015, as well as to statistically analyze the same and correlate male health with the declining pattern of sperm count in a single scientific review to serve the scientific research zone related to reproductive health. It points to the threat of male infertility in times ahead.
Purpose: This meta-analysis, following our previous reports those documented an overall 57% diminution in mean sperm concentration around the globe over past 35 years and 32.5% decline in past 50 years in European population, attempts to report the declining trend of sperm concentrations in African population between 1965 and 2015. Methods: In the course of retrieval of data following MOOSE guidelines and PRISMA checklist, we found a total of fourteen studies that have been conducted during that period on altering sperm concentration in the African male. Results: Following analysis of the data, a time-dependent decline of sperm concentration (r = -0.597, p = 0.02) and an overall 72.6% decrease in mean sperm concentration was noted in the past 50 years. The major matter of concern is the present mean concentration (20.38×10 6 /ml) is very near to WHO cut-off value of 2010 of 15×10 6 /ml. Several epidemic diseases, genital tract infection, pesticides and heavy metal toxicity, regular consumption of tobacco and alcohol are reported as predominant causative factors. Conclusion: This comprehensive, evidence-based meta-analysis and systematic review concisely presents the evidence of decreased sperm concentration in the African male over past 50 years with possible causative factors to serve the scientific research zone related to male reproductive health.
Introduction: Each dermatological condition associated with the presence of visible skin lesions can evoke the following psychological response of the patient: shame, anxiety, anger, or even depression. Psoriasis may additionally be a cause of social rejection, which significantly impairs a patient's private life and social functioning, and may contribute to stigmatization, alienation, and deterioration of their quality of life. The aim of the study was to determine the level of stigmatization and the quality of life of persons with psoriasis in relation to sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: The study, which included 166 patients with plaque psoriasis, was carried out with the 33-item Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and a dedicated sociodemographic survey. Results: Compared with women, men had higher stigmatization scores in the ''Feeling of being flawed'' domain (p = 0.0362), and patients up to 30 years of age scored higher on the ''Guilt and shame'' domain (x = 17.1 points) than those older than 30 years (x = 14.6 points). Also, persons with visible skin lesions presented with higher stigmatization levels in the ''Guilt and shame'' domain than those without (p = 0.0028). Quality of life in persons with psoriasis did not depend on sociodemographic parameters but correlated significantly with two stigmatization domains, ''Sensitivity to the opinions of others'' (R = 0.31; p = 0.0030) and ''Positive attitudes'' (R = 0.27; p = 0.0115). Conclusions: As stigmatization is a social problem, only greater social awareness of psoriasis may contribute to better understanding and broader acceptance of patients with this dermatosis. To help them to cope with the stigmatization and hence to improve their quality of life, persons with psoriasis should be provided with psychological counselling.
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