Biomedical subjects

Gustavo Alarcon

Publications and source records attributed to Gustavo Alarcon.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Could a rural lifestyle decrease the prevalence of erectile dysfunction?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in a specific population and explore potential correlates with lifestyle. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study, covering a population of a very small rural town, included 2000 men aged > or = 20 years from a total population of 121 831 (51% female and 49% male). The International Index of Erectile Function was completed by each of the 2000 men at their homes over a 1-year period. Another questionnaire assessing socio-economic status and health-related determinants of ED were also completed. RESULTS: All 2000 men completed the questionnaires; overall, only 34 reported ED (1.7%). The frequency of mild, mild to moderate, moderate and severe ED was 12%, 29%, 20% and 38%, respectively. Significantly more men aged > 51 years had ED than those aged <41 years (0.05% and 0.45%, respectively; P < 0.001). There was no difference in ED with salary levels. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ED in this particular rural population of Brazil was very low, at only 1.7%. Although ED increases with age, this association was not apparent for all age groups. It seems that several others factors, e.g. lifestyle, culture and diet, could be important for the onset of ED.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Histomorphometry of penile smooth muscle fiber in severe erectile dysfunction.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Smooth muscle fiber has fundamental importance in erection. Alterations in its function or quantity may be associated with erectile dysfunction. The study objective was to assess the proportion of penile smooth muscle fiber in patients with severe erectile dysfunction. DESIGN AND SETTING: Clinical study, in the Sexual Dysfunction Group, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), and in the Anatomy Laboratory, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). METHODS: Twenty patients with severe erectile dysfunction were selected to form two groups of ten patients: one with normal arterial flow (age range: 44 to 78 years) and the other with altered arterial flow (age range: 38 to 67 years). These groups were compared with a group formed by ten cadavers aged 18 to 25 years that were presumed to have been potent. Quantification of the smooth muscle fibers was done by means of an immunohistochemical study. RESULTS: The proportion of smooth muscle fiber found was 41.15% for the control group. The patients with erectile dysfunction and normal arterial flow presented 27.24% and those with altered arterial flow presented 25.74%; 19 patients presented at least one chronic disease or risk factor for erectile dysfunction, with prominence for diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension and smoking. CONCLUSION: Among patients with severe erectile dysfunction, the arterial flow on its own does not present interference in the proportion of smooth muscle fiber. The diminution of the proportion of smooth muscle fiber may result from chronic diseases and vascular risk factors.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Development of a urinary lithiasis localizer mechanism to couple ultrasound and extracorporeal lithotripsy equipment in canine model.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the evolution of extracorporeal lithotripsy equipment (ESWL) and presently, the fact that most part of the equipment does not present ultrasound to localize urinary calculi, a system that allows adapting ultrasound equipment to ESWL equipment was developed, disposing only of fluoroscopy. Thus, this equipment was developed and was tested in urinary stones in canine models, to check its precision in relation to fluoroscopy. METHOD: Seven male dogs were utilized with the introduction, in the bladder through the ureteral route, of chalkstones, with initial localization by fluoroscopy, with a further ultrasound coincidence check localization of the vesical stones, being submitted to ESWL with a 3-hour, 21 days and 60 days follow-up after the procedure. RESULTS: Success of localization in all animals was verified presenting elimination of stones in the first micturitions, after ESWL. No complications were verified in those animals for 60 days. CONCLUSION: We verified that this equipment can lead to an update of the equipment that use only fluoroscopy, increasing in this way, their technical capacity in the treatment of urinary calculi, mainly in cases of non-radiopaque stones.

Animals↗