Exploring complex links: inflammatory rheumatic diseases and men's health

This article examines the complex interactions between inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) and men's health. It delves into the effects of IRDs on reproductive health, erectile dysfunction, prostate involvement, male osteoporosis, body composition, physical activity, and coping mechanisms. The findings show that the prevalence of sexual dysfunction varies among different diseases, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive counseling. The link between IRDs and prostate health, with a substantial rise in benign prostatic hyperplasia among IRD patients, demonstrates the condition's importance. In contrast to popular belief, osteoporosis mostly affects women; the current study highlights the growing identification of male osteoporosis, particularly in the setting of IRDs. Male RA patients had a significant loss in bone mineral density, highlighting the importance of increasing awareness and tailored therapy to address osteoporosis in men. IRDs affect body composition, with male RA patients showing imbalances characterized by decreased lean body mass and increased fat mass. Given the dynamic nature of these conditions, coping with IRDs necessitates thorough and individualized diversified approaches. The complex link between IRDs and men's health demands continuing research, including longitudinal studies and tailored therapies. The essay promotes a patient-centered approach, recognizing the unique obstacles that males with IRDs confront.

COVID-19 and its treatments: lights and shadows on testicular function

PURPOSE

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has rapidly spread worldwide and, among the others, the male gender was quickly recognized as an independent risk factor for both the disease and its consequences. Since the possibility of long-term hormonal axis changes and male gamete impairment have been hypothesized but a relatively low levels of evidence has been reached, we focused this narrative mini-review on summarizing key state-of-the-art knowledge on male reproductive effects of COVID-19 as a quick reference for reproductive health specialists.

METHODS

A comprehensive Medline/PubMed and Embase search was performed selecting all relevant, peer-reviewed papers in English published from 2020. Other relevant papers were selected from the reference lists.

RESULTS

Available evidence indicates that the likelihood of direct testicular damage from SARS-CoV-2 is somewhat low, but there are many indirect ways (fever, cytokine imbalance, and drugs) through which the pituitary-gonadal axis and spermatogenesis may be disrupted. These alterations are probably transient, but as available evidence is low quality, it cannot be excluded that previous pathologies or comorbidities might modulate the risk of their persistence. On the other hand, available evidence shows high safety regarding andrological health for available vaccines, although studies are mainly focused on mRNA vaccines.

CONCLUSION

A careful andrological evaluation of men recovering from COVID-19 is highly recommended. Since available evidence is relatively scarce, a careful andrological follow-up and counseling of these patients are mandatory.

The effects of autoimmune rheumatic-related diseases on male reproductive health: A systematic review

Autoimmune rheumatic-related diseases (ARRDs) have physical and psychological impact on patients, including their sexual life. While many studies have investigated fertility problems in females, data on males-related fertility are scarce, which explains the lack of guidance. The main objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the reproductive health in males with ARRDs. This systematic review followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews guidelines. Original articles from Pubmed and Scopus, published until September 16, 2021, and tackling the effects of ARRDs and/or ARRDs treatments on male fertility and/or pregnancy outcomes, were included. A total of twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. They were published between 1981 and 2018. The studied ARRDs were spondyloarthritis (n = 9), systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n = 6), Behcet disease (BD, n = 5), rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 5), antiphospholipid syndrome (n = 1), and dermatomyositis (n = 1). The most reported effects of ARRDs on fertility are i) high levels of reproductive hormones, mainly in RA and SLE; ii) impaired semen quality in SLE, spondyloarthritis, and BD; and iii) higher rate of varicocele in BD and spondyloarthritis. Regarding the treatments effects, i) conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (e.g.; methotrexate and salazopyrine) increase testosterone level, ii) cyclophosphamide impairs fertility, iii) anti-tumor necrosis factor agents are associated with improvement in semen quality, and iv) no increased number of miscarriages or congenital abnormalities in children fathered by BD was reported. To conclude, both ARRDs and their treatments alter fertility in males with ARRDs. In practice, in addition to the conventional semen analysis, screening for infertility seems legitimate in males with ARRDs.

A systematic overview of the spermatotoxic and genotoxic effects of methotrexate, ganciclovir and mycophenolate mofetil

INTRODUCTION

Immunosuppressant drugs are increasingly being used in the reproductive years. Theoretically, such medications could affect fetal health either through changes in the sperm DNA or through fetal exposure caused by a presence in the seminal fluid. This systematic overview summarizes existing literature on the spermatotoxic and genotoxic potentials of methotrexate (MTX), a drug widely used to treat rheumatic and dermatologic diseases, and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which alone or supplemented with ganciclovir (GCV) may be crucial for the survival of organ transplants.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The systematic overview was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines: A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE and Embase databases was done using a combination of relevant terms to search for studies on spermatotoxic or genotoxic changes related to treatment with MTX, GCV or MMF. The search was restricted to English language literature, and to in vivo animal studies (mammalian species) and clinical human studies.

RESULTS

A total of 102 studies were identified, hereof 25 human and 77 animal studies. For MTX, human studies of immunosuppressive dosages show transient effect on sperm quality parameters, which return to reference values within 3 months. No human studies have investigated the sperm DNA damaging effect of MTX, but in other organs the genotoxic effects of immunosuppressive doses of MTX are fluctuating. In animals, immunosuppressive and cytotoxic doses of MTX adversely affect sperm quality parameters and show widespread genotoxic damages in various organs. Cytotoxic doses transiently change the DNA material in all cell stages of spermatogenesis in rodents. For GCV and MMF, data are limited and the results are indeterminate, for which reason spermatotoxic and genotoxic potentials cannot be excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

Data from human and animal studies indicate transient spermatotoxic and genotoxic potentials of immunosuppressive and cytotoxic doses of MTX. There are a limited number of studies investigating GCV and MMF.

The impact of autoimmune systemic inflammation and associated medications on male reproductive health in patients with chronic rheumatological, dermatological, and gastroenterological diseases: A systematic review

Autoimmune disorders currently affect 5%-8% of the global population, characterized by an aberrant chronic inflammatory response to self-antigens. The aim of this study was to systematically review the current available evidence investigating the impact of systemic autoimmune diseases and associated immunosuppressive treatment on fertility parameters of adult men. Clinical trials, observational studies, and case reports written in English and reporting semen analysis, evaluation of seminal oxidative stress, and/or sperm DNA fragmentation in patients affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, uveitis, dermatomyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis were collected by searching on PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases, with no limit of time. The study quality and the extent of bias in design, methods, and outcome assessment were evaluated by applying the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools. Evidence suggested that various autoimmune diseases or relevant medications can adversely affect male fertility parameters and that patients may benefit of counseling and sperm cryopreservation. Clinical trials further investigating any adverse effect of autoimmunity and related thereby on male infertility are warranted, to develop appropriate guidelines for males diagnosed and treated for autoimmune disorders.

Influence of the Period of Abstinence on Semen Quality in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect fertility. There is currently little information regarding the semen profile of males with SLE. Moreover, there is no consensus on an appropriate period of sexual abstinence for semen analysis and on the use of DNA fragmentation assay, together with multiple semen analyses to document the semen profile in this clinical population. In this case report, multiple semen analyses, with DNA fragmentation assays, were performed for a male with SLE undergoing fertility treatment at our andrology unit. A 4-day period of abstinence improved the semen concentration, total sperm count, total progressive motile sperm, and sperm morphology, with minimal DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, multiple semen analyses obtained after different periods of sexual abstinence, together with DNA fragmentation assays, may be useful to develop a semen profile for patients with SLE, providing information on the optimal abstinence period to yield the best semen quality for subsequent fertility treatment. For patients with fluctuating semen results, concomitant semen cryopreservation should be considered to preserve the better quality semen before starting assisted reproductive technologies if pregnancy is planned in the future.

Non-oncologic Indications for Male Fertility Preservation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To explore non-oncologic indications for male fertility preservation.

RECENT FINDINGS

Common scenarios in which male fertility could be irreversibly compromised include autoimmune conditions requiring treatment with cyclophosphamide, gender dysphoria prior to starting hormone therapy, military deployment, and critical illness. Fertility preservation should be considered with particular attention to the timing and logistics specific to each scenario. Recognition and familiarity with such situations will help physicians provide better counseling to patients and their families, improve the quality of decision-making, and ultimately reduce missed opportunities and regret.