Diurnal Temperature Change is Associated with Testicular Torsion: A Nationwide, Population Based Study in Taiwan

No AccessJournal of UrologyPediatric Urology1 Jul 2013Diurnal Temperature Change is Associated with Testicular Torsion: A Nationwide, Population Based Study in Taiwanis corrected byErratum Jeng-Sheng Chen, Yung-Ming Lin, and Wen-Horng Yang Jeng-Sheng ChenJeng-Sheng Chen More articles by this author , Yung-Ming LinYung-Ming Lin More articles by this author , and Wen-Horng YangWen-Horng Yang More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2013.02.013AboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract Purpose: We investigated the association between climatic variables and testicular torsion in Taiwanese males. Materials and Methods: Using the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, we reviewed the files of patients who were diagnosed with testicular torsion and underwent orchiectomy or orchiopexy between January 1996 and December 2008. Children younger than 1 year were excluded from the study. Climatic data were provided by the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau and included ambient temperature, relative humidity, diurnal temperature change and barometric pressure. Patients with acute appendicitis who underwent appendectomy were chosen as the control group. Climatic variables in relation to testicular torsion were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test, and seasonal climatic variations using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Relative risk was calculated to compare the incidence of testicular torsion for diurnal temperature changes. Results: A total of 65 patients with a mean age of 16.2 years presented with testicular torsion and were treated surgically. Four children younger than 1 year were excluded, and thus the study population consisted of 61 patients. The estimated incidence of testicular torsion was 2.58 per 100,000 person-years. There were no special climatic conditions on days of admission. However, 73.7% of the patients had testicular torsion when the diurnal temperature change was 6C or greater. Compared to the torsion rate for diurnal temperature changes less than 6C, the relative risk of testicular torsion at 6C or greater was 1.8 (p = 0.05). Average seasonal diurnal temperature change in the 2 days before hospitalization showed increases in all seasons except spring, which fluctuated. Conclusions: Diurnal temperature change was associated with testicular torsion and may be an etiological climatic factor affecting this condition. This is the first known study to demonstrate an association between diurnal temperature change and testicular torsion. References 1 : Testicular torsion in Bristol: a 25-year review. Br J Surg1988; 75: 988. Google Scholar 2 : Torsion of the testis. BJU Int2000; 86: 349. 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Link, Google Scholar Department of Urology, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine, Tainan, Taiwan© 2013 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited byBaskin L (2018) This Month in Pediatric UrologyJournal of Urology, VOL. 190, NO. 1, (3-5), Online publication date: 1-Jul-2013.Related articlesJournal of Urology29 Jan 2018Erratum Volume 190Issue 1July 2013Page: 228-233 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2013 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.Keywordstestisspermatic cord torsionclimateAcknowledgmentsDr. Jung-Der Wang, Biostatistics Consulting Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, provided statistical consulting services.MetricsAuthor Information Jeng-Sheng Chen More articles by this author Yung-Ming Lin More articles by this author Wen-Horng Yang More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...