Novel Marker for Premature Ejaculation: Serum Leptin Level

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Leptin, which was only discovered in humans in 1994, has recently been shown to have a possible link with premature ejaculation. Aim To evaluate whether serum leptin levels differed between patients with premature ejaculation and healthy men, and to analyze the changes in leptin levels before and after treatment. Methods Six studies assessing the relationship between leptin and premature ejaculation published up to October 2021 were identified from multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane) and the data were analyzed by Stata software. Outcomes Differences in leptin levels in premature ejaculation patients and healthy people, and changes of leptin levels in premature ejaculation population before and after treatment. Results Analysis of studies assessing differences in leptin concentrations between patients with PE and healthy men showed that there was a statistically significant difference in leptin levels between PE patients and controls (WMD (95% CI) = 17.89 (8.64, 27.14), P < .001). On the other hand, the analysis of data from 3 studies describing serum leptin levels in PE patients before and after treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) showed that there was a significant decrease with leptin levels in PE patients after treatment (WMD (95%CI) = 22.06 (17.21, 26.92), P < .001). Clinical Implications It is possible that leptin can be used as a new marker for premature ejaculation. Strength & Limitations The strength of this study is that it is the first meta- analysis to assess the differences of serum leptin levels between patients with premature ejaculation and healthy subjects and the changes of leptin levels before and after treatment in patients with premature ejaculation. A major limitation is that a greater heterogeneity was identified through our analysis, however we did not find a definitive source of heterogeneity. Conclusion There was a statistically significant relationship between serum leptin levels and patients with PE. In addition, serum leptin levels in patients with PE decreased significantly after 8 weeks of treatment with SSRIs.