Clinical diagnosis in men undergoing infertility investigation in a university hospital.
BACKGROUND
It was the aim of this study to assess whether the changes in the diagnostic techniques and treatment modalities have altered the epidemiology of male factor infertility in the last decade.


METHODS
From September 1999 to July 2003, 822 patients were evaluated for infertility in a University Hospital. We divided our infertility patients according to the clinical diagnosis.


RESULTS
Most of the patients presented with varicocele (n = 282, 34.3%), idiopathic infertility (n = 260, 31.6%), or had had seminal tract obstruction (n = 85, 10.34%). Least common but equally important causes found were mumps (n = 43, 5.23%), pyospermia (n = 37, 4.5%), systemic diseases (n = 36, 4.37%), testicular failure (n = 34, 4.13%), cryptorchidism (n = 14, 1.7%), ejaculatory dysfunction (n = 11, 1.3%), genetics (n = 9, 1.1%), endocrinopathies (n = 4, 0.5%), testicular cancer (n = 4, 0.5%), and testicular torsion (n = 3, 0.36%).


CONCLUSIONS
Even with the changes in reproductive healthcare in the last years, varicocele and seminal tract obstruction remain the leading causes of male infertility. However, clinicians should not forget other treatable causes of male infertility such as pyospermia, systemic diseases, or testicular cancer.
Pasqualotto
Fabio Firmbach
FF
Urological Clinic, Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Fabio@conception-rs.com.br
Pasqualotto
Eleonora Bedin
EB
Sobreiro
Bernardo Passos
BP
Hallak
Jorge
J
Medeiros
Fernanda
F
Lucon
Antônio Marmo
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged