Original Paper

Adolescent Varicocele: Association with Somatometric Parameters
Sushil Prabakaran^a, Philip Kumanov^b, Analia Tomova^b, Stanislav Hubaveshki^b, Ashok Agarwal<sup>a

a</sup>Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility and Sexual Function, Glickman Urological Institute, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
^bClinical Center of Endocrinology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria

Address of Corresponding Author

Urol Int 2006;77:114-117 (DOI: 10.1159/000093902)

  Key Words

• Puberty
• Body mass index
• Testicular hypotrophy
• Penile length
• Varicocele

  Abstract

Introduction: The developmental changes that occur as a result of puberty have been hypothesized to be important causes of varicocele. Various somatometric parameters were known to affect the occurrence of varicocele during the growth period. We conducted this study in order to examine these relationships and to determine the incidence of varicocele in adolescent males. Patients and Methods: We evaluated 1,200 healthy males aged 0-19 years for varicocele and correlated it with the following somatometric parameters: age, height, body mass index (BMI), pubic hair distribution, penile length and testicular volume. Results: Adolescent varicocele was found in 5.6% of the participants. The 13- to 19-year age-group had the highest incidence of varicocele (10.5%). Logistic regression analysis showed that the incidence was positively correlated with age, height and penile length (odds ratio 1.61, 1.04 and 1.37, respectively) and negatively correlated with left testicular volume, BMI and pubic hair distribution (odds ratio 0.87, 0.87 and 0.47, respectively).Conclusion: Varicocele was more prevalent in tall boys with a lower BMI, who had quickly progressed through puberty. Our observations suggest that varicocele is associated with various somatometric parameters.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Dr. Ashok Agarwal, Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility and Sexual Function, Glickman Urological Institute and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue
Desk A19.1 Cleveland, OH 44195 (USA), Tel. +1 216 444 9485, Fax +1 216 445 6049
E-Mail Agarwaa@ccf.org, website www.clevelandclinic.org/ReproductiveResearchCenter

  Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 16