Incidence of priapism in the general population

Objectives. To assess the incidence of priapism in the general population. Methods. We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study within a general practitioners research database. Our study population comprised a ll male patients with permanent registration status with a general practiti oner. All patients with an International Classification for Primary Care co de for penile problems (Y01,Y04, Y08) were identified, In addition, a free text search on priapism and painful erection was conducted. The computerize d medical records from all potential patients were reviewed, and we request ed additional information from the general practitioner if priapism was sus pected. Results. The total study cohort comprised 145,071 men, with a total follow- up of 341,133 person-years. Five patients developed a first occurrence of p riapism during the follow-up period, corresponding to an overall incidence rate of 1.5 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval 0.2 to 2.8). The incidence rate in men 40 years old and older was 2.9 per 100,000 person -years (95% confidence interval 0.1 to 5.7). No cause of priapism was appar ent in 2 patients, 2 cases occurred after intracavernous injection of vasod ilators, and 1 patient experienced priapism because of sickle cell disease. Conclusions. The incidence of priapism is low but seems higher than was pre viously assumed. UROLOGY 57: 970-972, 2001. (C) 2001, Elsevier Science Inc.