Introduction: Spina Bifida is a congenital neurological defect associated with genitourinary anomalies, requiring comprehensive urological care from pediatrics to adulthood. For men with spina bifida, a significant focus is on urinary tract surveillance to maintain continence, preserve kidney and bladder health, and optimize fertility and sexual function. While men with SB have an increasing interest in exploring their sexuality and sexual health, these concerns may be under-discussed and undertreated depending on their burden of illness. Concurrently, the impact of hypogonadism on the SB is unknown. Hypogonadism is associated with increased insulin resistance in young males, hyperlipidemia, and other adverse vascular effects. These risk factors play a role in the vascular etiology of erectile dysfunction and can be a burden on sexual health. Our objective was to calculate the estimated prevalence of erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism in adult men with spina bifida. Methods: This retrospective claims study used the MarketScan® databases from 2008 to 2017 to derive prevalence estimates for erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism in men with spina bifida, to compare these estimates to those in men without spina bifida, and to describe treatment patterns in this cohort. Results: The estimated prevalence of erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism in men with spina bifida was 7.83% and 7.71%, respectively. Men with spina bifida in the sample exhibited high rates of smoking and metabolic comorbidities, but were diagnosed less frequently with erectile dysfunction when controlling for age and metabolic comorbidities than men without spina bifida. Conclusions: Based on the results, claims data suggest that HG and ED are diagnosed less frequently than expected. While there are some limitations to the population being examined in this database, improving health care delivery of sexual health concerns during the surveillance of men with spina bifida will enhance their quality of life and optimize their sexual and metabolic function. SOURCE OF Funding: N/A
.jpg "Nyemkuna M. Fortingo, BS (she/her/hers) photo")
