Korean J Urol.  2009 Mar;50(3):278-281.

Epidemiologic Study of the Prevalence and Awareness of Cryptorchidism, Hydrocele, and Varicocele in Elementary Schools in Gwangju

• Hwang Y
• Park SW

Abstract

PURPOSE: We investigated the prevalence and parent's concern of cryptorchidism, hydrocele and varicocele among elementary school boys.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 1,795 elementary school boys who resided in Gwangju were investigated by questionnaires. Among them, 1,115 boys who agreed to a physical checkup underwent physical examination between May and June 2007.
RESULTS
The most frequent anomaly was hydrocele, which was seen in 37 boys (3.31%) on questionnaires and physical examination. The other anomalies were cryptorchidism in 17 boys (1.52%) and varicocele in 7 boys (0.62%). Most of the boys and their parents were not aware of their cryptorchidism (70.58%) and varicocele (71.42%). The boys who replied in questionnaires that they had been diagnosed with hydrocele appeared to had undergone hydrocele repair in the past.
CONCLUSIONS
By survey, the prevalence rates of cryptorchidism, hydrocele, and varicocele were 3.31%, 1.52%, and 0.62%, respectively. Education of the public and primary care physicians about cryptorchidism and varicocele and a screening system are needed to achieve better therapeutic outcome.

Keyword

Cryptorchidism; Testicular hydrocele; Varicocele; Prevalence

MeSH Terms

Cryptorchidism
Epidemiologic Studies
Humans
Male
Mass Screening
Parents
Physical Examination
Physicians, Primary Care
Prevalence
Testicular Hydrocele
Varicocele

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Prevalence and awareness of the disease. The most frequent anomaly was hydrocele. Most of the boys and their parents were not aware of their cryptorchidism and varicocele.

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  Fig. 2. Age distribution for each disease.

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  Fig. 3. Grade of varicocele.

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