title: Etiologic factors in Peyronie's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The etiology of Peyonie's disease remains a mystery. An attempt is made to resolve this.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 25 patients with Peyronie's disease were examined and investigated for the presence of various implicated etiologic factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 25 patients examined, two presented with ischemic heart disease, 10 with hypertension, 10 with asymptomatic hyperuricemia, 18 with hypercholesterolemia, two with fibrosing disorders, two with autoimmune disorders, and three with diabetes mellitus. None had any sexually transmitted disease. Seven of the 10 hypertensive patients had received beta-blockers. On comparing the prevalence of these factors between patients and the general population, a significant association was found between hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, and Peyronie's disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Known factors, such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, lead to weakening of the vasculature and its rupture during coitus. This leads to the formation of a hematoma and its subsequent organization in predisposed individuals to fibrous plaques. The identification and treatment of these factors might prevent, secondarily, the development of Peyronie's disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muralidhar
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mandal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010411:Penile Induration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors