May cachexia be an advantage for penile length?

Abstract

IntroductionThe aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between penile length and somatometric parameters, especially cachexia. Material and methodsWeight and heights of all patients were measured and recorded by an internal medicine specialist. Flaccid and stretched states of penis were measured from pubic bone to tip of glans along the dorsum of the penis using a rigid metric ruler by a single urology specialist. Patients with urogenital abnormalities were excluded from the study. Penile length, age, weight and height values were recorded. Body mass index (BMI) was computed as the ratio of weight to the square of height. Patients were divided into three groups according to BMI cachexia, normal weight and obesity. Groups were defined: Group 1: Cachexia, BMI<18.5; Group 2: normal weight BMI, between 18.5 and 25; Group 3: obesity, BMI>30. Mean and median penile lengths were calculated. These three groups were evaluated in terms of whether there is a difference between flaccid and stretched penile length. Also correlation between weight, height and penile length was determined.Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS for windows ver. 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. ResultsOne hundred and twenty four patients enrolled in the study. Fourteen patients were in the cachectic group. Fifty six patients were in the normal weight group. Fifty four patients were in the obese group. Both flaccid and stretched penile lengths were statistically different in these groups (p<0.001; p<0.001). When we compared the groups separately, cachectic group's penile lengths were significantly longer than the normal weight group at both (p<0.01; p=0.02). Cachectic group's penile lengths were significantly longer than the obese group (p<0.001; p<0.001). Also normal weight group's penile lengths were longer than those of the obese group (p<0.001; p<0.001). ConclusionThe present study is the first one assessing the relationship between cachexia and penile length. As a result, cachexia may be an advantage for penile length.