The aim of this study was to assess the content, reliability and quality of information regarding testicular cancer in YouTube videos. The search was performed by using term ‘testicular cancer’ on YouTube, and the first 168 videos were listed according to relevancy. Video features and source of upload were recorded. The quality, reliability and accuracy of the information were evaluated by two independent urologists using the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) score, the 5‐point modified DISCERN tool and the Global Quality Score (GQS). A total number of 152 videos were analysed. The most common source of upload was talk show programmes/TV programmes (25.7%), and majority of the content was about (24.3%) symptoms and diagnosis options. The mean JAMA score, modified DISCERN score and GQS were 1.59, 2.13 and 2.61 respectively. These scores were significantly higher in videos that were uploaded by physicians/nonprofit physicians/professional organisations/universities (p < 0.001). There is a positive correlation between the video length, DISCERN, JAMA scores and GQS. YouTube is a widely used source of information and advice about testicular cancer, but much of the content is of poor quality.
Introduction
COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented restrictions in outpatient services and surgical practices in urology as in other medical branches as well as in all areas of life.
Aim
To investigate whether there have been variations in the presentations of male patients with sexual and reproductive health problems to the outpatient urology clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic and to understand the underlying factors for these variations, if any.
Methods
Male patients aged ≥18 years who presented to the outpatient urology clinics in 12 centers across Turkey from February 1, 2020 to June 1, 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups: those who presented to the outpatient clinic from February 1, 2020 to March 11, 2020 comprised the “pre-COVID-19 pandemic period” group, whereas those who presented to the outpatient clinic from March 12, 2020 to June 1, 2020 comprised the “COVID-19 pandemic period” group and compared with each other.
Main Outcome Measures
Number and diagnose of patients presented to urology outpatient clinics
Results
Andrological problems were detected in 721 of 4,955 male patients included in the study. During the COVID-19 pandemic period, there was a significant increase in andrological diagnosis in these patients compared with the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period [n=293 (17%) vs. n=428 (13.2%), p<0.001, respectively]. Similarly, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of patients diagnosed with male reproductive or sexual health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic period [n=107 (6.2%) vs. n=149 (4.6%), p=0.016 and n=186 (10.8%) vs. n=279 (8.6%), p=0.013, respectively]. The number of patients diagnosed with erectile dysfunction during the pandemic was also significantly higher than the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period [n=150 (8.7%) vs. n=214 (6.6%), p=0.008].
Conclusion
Presentations to the outpatient urology clinics due to andrological problems markedly increased during the pandemic period. Although these problems are of multifactorial origin, psychogenic factors are also considered to significantly trigger these problems.
Sperm vitality testing is a basic semen examination that has been described in the World Health Organization (WHO) Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen from its primary edition, 40 years ago. Several methods can be used to test sperm vitality, such as the eosin-nigrosin (E-N) stain or the hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test. In the 6th (2021) edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual, sperm vitality assessment is mainly recommended if the total motility is less than 40%. Hence, a motile spermatozoon is considered alive, however, in certain conditions an immotile spermatozoon can also be alive. Therefore, the differentiation between asthenozoospermia (pathological decrease in sperm motility) and necrozoospermia (pathological decrease in sperm vitality) is important in directing further investigation and management of infertile patients. The causes leading to necrozoospermia are diverse and can either be local or general, testicular or extra-testicular. The andrological management of necrozoospermia depends on its etiology. However, there is no standardized treatment available presently and practice varies among clinicians. In this study, we report the results of a global survey to understand current practices regarding the physician order of sperm vitality tests as well as the management practices for necrozoospermia. Laboratory and clinical scenarios are presented to guide the reader in the management of necrozoospermia with the overall objective of establishing a benchmark ranging from the diagnosis of necrozoospermia by sperm vitality testing to its clinical management.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.