American Journal of Men's Health最新文献

CP1Hao Decoction (CP1HD) is a traditional Chinese herbal prescription used to treat chronic prostatitis, but the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of CP1HD, particularly those involving arachidonic acid metabolism and gut microbiota, remain unclear. This study evaluated the pharmacological efficacy of CP1HD in a carrageenan-induced rat model of prostatitis and explored its potential targets and pathways through integrated transcriptomics, 16S rRNA sequencing, and metabolomics analyses. CP1HD treatment significantly alleviated prostate histopathological damage, reduced the prostate index, and suppressed inflammatory responses. ELISA results showed that CP1HD markedly decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2, LTB4, and COX-2, while regulating EETs levels, and inhibited M1 macrophage polarization and neutrophil infiltration while promoting M2 polarization. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that CP1HD reversed differentially expressed genes associated with inflammation and arachidonic acid metabolism, which was further confirmed by Western blot analysis of cPLA2, LTA4H, and sEH. In addition, CP1HD modulated gut microbiota composition by restoring the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Alistipes, and the Eubacterium_siraeum group. Metabolomic profiling demonstrated that CP1HD regulated arachidonic acid metabolism and related lipid mediators, with notable effects on phosphatidylethanolamine metabolism and fatty acid β-oxidation. Overall, CP1HD ameliorates prostatitis by reducing inflammation and prostate injury while modulating arachidonic acid metabolism, gut microbiota, and associated metabolic pathways.

Testosterone deficiency syndrome in men is common and associated with substantial symptom burden and reduced quality of life. Although testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can improve patient-reported outcomes, real-world benefit depends on consistent adherence and structured follow-up. In outpatient settings, adherence and symptoms are rarely assessed using validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), limiting treatment monitoring. This project implemented a structured PROM workflow including the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale, and Short Form-8 Health Survey (SF-8™) to improve testosterone therapy adherence, symptom and quality of life monitoring in an outpatient men's health clinic. A quality improvement initiative was conducted among adult men receiving TRT. Participants completed validated PROMs at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Primary outcomes included adherence (MMAS-8) and PROM completion; secondary outcomes included follow-up attendance, quality of life (SF-8 PCS/MCS), symptom severity (AMS total/domains), and objective measures (testosterone and BMI). Fifty-four participants enrolled, and 50 completed 12-week follow-up (92.6% retention). MMAS-8 scores improved from baseline (M = 5.26, SD = 2.32) to 6 weeks (M = 6.29, SD = 1.52) and 12 weeks (M = 7.19, SD = 0.89) (p < .001). AMS total scores decreased over time (p = .006), with improvements across psychological (p = .032), somatic (p = .002), and sexual domains (p = .011). Testosterone levels increased (p = .014), while BMI remained unchanged. Integrating PROMs into routine TRT follow-up was feasible and associated with improved adherence, high engagement, and meaningful improvements in patient-reported symptoms and quality of life.

BackgroundOtitis media includes acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion, and chronic suppurative otitis media. It causes substantial morbidity, especially among children and older adults. This study assessed the burden of otitis media among U.S. males from 1990 to 2021.MethodsUsing Global Burden of Disease 2021 estimates, we analyzed incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for otitis media among U.S. males. Age-specific patterns were described, and temporal trends in age-standardized rates were evaluated using Joinpoint regression. Attributable risk factors, particularly smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, were examined.ResultsOtitis media cases increased from approximately 4.10 million in 1990 to 4.57 million in 2021, while the age-standardized incidence rate rose from 3,899.1 to 4,146.8 per 100,000 population. Deaths decreased from 32.3 to 21.2, although Joinpoint analysis showed increasing mortality during 2010-2019. DALYs increased from 24,304.9 to 26,872.8, whereas the age-standardized DALY rate decreased from 20.9 to 18.9 per 100,000. The highest incidence and DALY burden occurred among children aged 5-9 years, while deaths were concentrated mainly among older adults. Behavioral risks, especially tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure, were the leading attributable risk factors.ConclusionOtitis media remains an important health burden among U.S. males, with distinct age-specific patterns. Targeted prevention, smoking-related risk reduction, and early diagnosis and treatment in children and older adults may help reduce its future burden.

BackgroundX-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP) is a hereditary movement disorder predominantly affecting Filipino males from Panay Island ancestry. Existing research emphasizes molecular and motor aspects, neglecting diagnostic, therapeutic, and psychosocial impacts.ObjectivesTo map the literature on XDP in Filipino men, including its genetic basis, clinical features, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and psychosocial effects.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) principles.ResultsA total of 27 studies were included. Symptoms commenced from localized to widespread dystonia. Parkinsonism manifested within one to two years. Most examined patients exhibited the TAF1 genetic mutation, and diagnosis takes years. Deep-brain stimulation reduced dystonia severity. Pharmacological therapies produced some benefits. Qualitative analysis revealed stigma and identity loss, caregiver burden, financial hardship, and coping and resilience.ConclusionsXDP exhibits a rapid and severe growth trend; however, access to diagnostic tests, modern medicines, and supportive care remains unequal. To address these disparities, it is essential to improve access to genetic and clinical treatments and incorporate psychosocial support systems, including stigma reduction, caregiver assistance, and community networks, into a comprehensive care model.

Weight gain during prostate cancer treatment can worsen treatment-related side effects, impair quality of life, and increase risks of recurrence and prostate cancer-specific mortality. The Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP), a comprehensive, home-based 6-month digital intervention, has demonstrated improvements in diet, physical activity, and weight. This secondary analysis examined whether changes in diet and physical activity mediated weight loss among participants receiving PC-PEP. In a randomized clinical trial, 128 men with localized prostate cancer were assigned to PC-PEP (n=66) or standard care (n=62) for six months. Diet quality was assessed using a 12-item summary score reflecting weekly frequency of key food groups. Physical activity level was self-reported as not very active, moderately active, or very active. Mediation models were adjusted for age, comorbidity, treatment modality, time from randomization to treatment, relationship status, medication for anxiety or depression, and baseline weight, diet, and physical activity. The results show that weight loss in the PC-PEP group was significantly mediated by both diet and physical activity, accounting for 21% and 16% of the total effect, respectively. The direct effect of the intervention remained significant. These results indicate that improvements in diet and physical activity partially mediated weight loss in men receiving PC-PEP, while a substantial direct effect suggests that additional components of the intervention contribute to outcomes. Findings highlight the value of comprehensive, multi-faceted digital survivorship interventions for men with prostate cancer and suggest that observed mediation effects are conservative estimates given the use of brief self-reported behavioral measures.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) knowledge is alarmingly low among Latino/Latinx/Hispanic populations (thereby Latino), and commonly used HCV knowledge scales have not been updated with recent innovations in HCV treatment. Latino men who have sex with men (LMSM) and Latino seasonal farmworkers (LSW) are two groups at the highest risk of HCV. In response, we developed and validated "HEPCA-Lat: Prueba de Conocimientos sobre Hepatitis C para Adultos Latinos," a bilingual English/Spanish HCV knowledge scale. First, we identified 14 unique HCV scales. Then, experts and community health workers identified 43 items to include in HEPCA-Lat. From 2018 to 2020, we recruited participants from community health organizations in South Florida to complete a cross-sectional questionnaire. We conducted Item-Total Correlation, Principal Component, and reliability (random splits, Cronbach's alpha, mean inter-item correlation) analyses to develop and validate the final HEPCA-Lat. We used regression analyses to examine associations with HCV knowledge. Of 208 participants, 89 were LMSM and 127 were LSW. Of 43 unweighted items identified for initial inclusion, a correlation threshold of >0.5 was used, and 20 items were retained. Items loaded onto 2 components: "HCV prevention" and "Living with HCV" (55.4% of variance). HCV knowledge was low: LMSM correctly answered 44.6% and LSW 14.5% of items. Future research could focus on (a) applying the HEPCA-Lat scale in pre- and post-intervention assessments to evaluate changes in HCV knowledge and (b) refining the HEPCA-Lat scale to a concise version for broader use among the general Latino population.

Accurate differentiation between non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and obstructive azoospermia (OA) is crucial for therapeutic decision-making, yet current diagnostic approaches predominantly depend on invasive testicular biopsy. Herein, we establish a mechanism-driven stratification framework integrating ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) with multi-omics profiling. Using murine models representing diverse etiologies, high-frame-rate ULM following intravenous microbubble administration (acquiring over 120,000 compounded frames at 1000 Hz) overcomes the spatial-resolution limit of conventional ultrasound to achieve in vivo quantitative mapping of the testicular microvasculature. Super-resolution maps unveil distinct etiology-specific microvascular phenotypes: NOA models showed fragmented and hypoperfused vascular networks with reduced larger intratesticular vessel diameter (BU:166 ± 9.9μm, p < 0.01; Pnldc1:175± 4.9μm, p < 0.05), whereas OA displayed increased vessel density (7.944 ± 0.52; p < 0.01), mean vessel diameter (43.99 ± 1.168 μm; p < 0.01), and mean flow velocity (8.333 ± 0.523 mm/s; p<0.001). Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses linked these imaging phenotypes to angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, lipid peroxidation, and energy-metabolism rewiring. In a small preliminary human cohort, clinical ULM showed concordant differences in vascular morphology and mean vessel diameter between NOA and OA. These findings support ULM as a candidate contrast-enhanced imaging adjunct for mechanism-informed azoospermia stratification, requiring further validation in larger prospective cohorts.

The 2017 Mental Health Act in the Philippines sought to enhance integrated care; nevertheless, rural regions continue to lack sufficient resources. This study aimed to examine the mental health of low-income Filipino men aged 18 years and over residing in rural areas of the Philippines and explore the relationship between their mental health status and lifestyle and self-care behaviors. A convenience sample of 426 men completed a cross-sectional survey capturing sociodemographics, depression and anxiety, psychological distress, health-related quality of life, and a range of lifestyle behaviors. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Among 426 rural Filipino men (mean age = 49.3 ± 17.2 years), moderate psychological distress was observed, with 8.2% meeting criteria for depression and 14.8% for anxiety. Distress correlated positively with both depression (r = .228) and anxiety (r = .332) and inversely with physical (r = -.239) and mental quality of life (r = -.298; all p < .01). Regular exercise and seeing a doctor were linked to lower stress levels, less symptoms of depression, and higher standards of life. On the contrary, using herbs to treat ailments has been linked to more pain and anxiety (all p < .01). The results highlight the importance of integrating community-based mental health promotion with culturally accepted self-care practices. This study provides a foundational framework for increasing mental health care access among Filipino men in rural areas of the Philippines and developing culturally appropriate programs for improving their mental health through culturally accepted self-care practices.

We examined whether women's perceptions of men's involvement in family planning-specifically partner approval and joint decision-making about contraception-were associated with perceived couple concordance on the desired number of children in Peru. Using data from the 2019 Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES), we conducted a cross-sectional analysis accounting for survey weights, stratification, and clustering. We fitted survey-weighted generalized linear models (Poisson family with a log link) to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) with design-based (Taylor-linearized) 95% confidence intervals. The analytic sample included 14,956 women: 67.5% were aged 30-49 years and 76.7% lived in urban areas; 96.2% perceived partner approval of family planning and 76.8% reported joint contraceptive decision-making. In adjusted models, partner approval was associated with a higher prevalence of couple concordance (aPR = 1.35; 95% CI = [1.10, 1.62]), and joint decision-making showed a similar association (aPR = 1.14; 95% CI = [1.07, 1.20]). Overall, women's perceptions of men's involvement were positively related to concordance in fertility preferences. Programs that promote gender-equitable, couple-centered approaches-such as male-friendly clinic hours, couple counseling, and communication skills training-may strengthen family planning outcomes in Peru.