Rare Disorders of Painful Erection: A Cohort Study of the Investigation and Management of Stuttering Priapism and Sleep-Related Painful Erection

Abstract

Background: A chief complaint of men with stuttering priapism (SP) and sleep-related painful erections (SRPE) is bothersome nocturnal erections that wake them up and result in poor sleep and daytime tiredness. SP and SRPE are rare entities that have similarities in their clinical features, but that require different treatment approaches.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features, investigations, and effective management options for men with SP and SRPE.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 133 men with bothersome nocturnal painful erections that attended a tertiary andrology unit between 2004 and 2018. These men were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n = 62) contains men with sickle cell SP; group 2 (n = 40) has men with non-sickle cell SP and group 3 (n = 31) contains men with SRPE.

Outcome: To determine the effectiveness of medical and surgical treatments for men with SP and SRPE.

Results: Hydroxyurea and automated exchange transfusion were the most effective treatment options in the sickle cell SP group. Hormonal manipulation and α-agonist therapies were effective in both SP cohorts (groups 1 and 2). Baclofen was the most effective therapy in men with SRPE. For men who failed medical management, implantation of a penile prosthesis resulted in complete resolution of the symptoms in men with SP (groups 1 and 2). Surgical management (penile prosthesis implantation and embolization) did not improve the patients' symptoms in the SRPE group.

Clinical implications: This study differentiates between sickle cell SP, non-sickle cell SP, and SRPE and describes effective treatment options for each group.

Strengths & limitations: This is the largest cohort study for both SP and SRPE, respectively. Limitations include its retrospective nature and single-center experience.

Conclusion: Managing men in these 3 groups differently and in accordance with the proposed treatment pathway provides a more structured approach to the management of these rare conditions. Johnson M, McNeillis S, Chiriaco G, et al. Rare Disorders of Painful Erection: A Cohort Study of the Investigation and Management of Stuttering Priapism and Sleep-Related Painful Erection. J Sex Med 2021;18:376-384.

Keywords: Intermittent priapism; Recurrent ischemic priapism; Sleep; Sleep-related Painful erections; Stuttering Priapism.