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A model for digital innovations in sexual medicine

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 32, pages 639–640 (2020)Cite this article

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In a recent publication by Brisbane et al. in this journal, the authors evaluate a smartphone app developed to access penile angulation in the diagnosis of Peyronie’s disease [1]. This is done by comparing results obtained with the app to the golden standard of in clinic alprostadil injection with subsequent measurement. The study evaluated a total of 18 men with good to strong correlation between the app and physical measurement for all penile dimensions. Not surprisingly, all of the participants preferred measurement by the app over injections. However, with only 18 participants and potentially clinically meaningful differences between the app and goniometer measurements in individual patients, the paper represents a pilot study. This is reflected in the careful discussion by the authors and in the conclusion that optimization of the app is needed, especially with regard to patient generated measurement accuracy. So, in spite of the promising preliminary results, the app is not ready for clinical practice and it would be premature to base treatment decisions on its results [1].

Technology has been an integral part of healthcare treatments for as long as anyone can remember and both availability and innovation are often taken for granted. This is also true for sexual medicine, with a large number of new treatments are continuously being tested [2]. Likewise, the possibilities offered by the internet has been implemented as tools for clinicians for example through electronic health records and teleconferences. Meanwhile, the application of online resources offering information and diagnostic support directly to patients in areas of sexual medicine is still in its infancy in spite of its obvious potential [3]. With this in mind, the study on a new digital tool for Peyronie’s disease published in this month’s IJIR by Brisbane et al. is both important and timely [1].

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References

  1. Brisbane WG, Rogers MJ, Hsi RS, Rajanahally S, Schade GR, Trew L, et al. Comparison of clinician and patient users of a mobile phone application to assess penile curvature in Peyronie’s disease. Int J Impot Res. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-019-0150-y.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark

    Mikkel Fode

  2. Department of Urology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark

    Mikkel Fode

  3. Urology Section, Department of Surgery, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Giorgio I. Russo

  4. Department of Urology, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium

    Maarten Albersen

Authors
  1. Mikkel Fode
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  2. Giorgio I. Russo
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  3. Maarten Albersen
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Correspondence to Mikkel Fode.

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Fode, M., Russo, G.I. & Albersen, M. A model for digital innovations in sexual medicine. Int J Impot Res 32, 639–640 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-019-0190-3

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