Publication:

Male urethritis with or without discharge: a clinico aetiological study in Hi-tech Medical College and Hospital Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Background Urethritis or inflammation of the urethra is a multifactorial condition. Urethritis is called gonococcal urethritis (GU) when Neisseria gonorrhoeae is detected in urethral smear of the patient and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) when this organism cannot be visualized.

Methods Urethritis cases were identified from the dermatology OPD record. A retrospective analysis of data of patients diagnosed as GU and NGU for a period of 5 years (from August 2012-July 2017) was made. We have included only male patients more than 10 year.

Results Neisseria gonorrhoeae (61.42%) and Chlamydia trachomatis (45.9%) were the most common causative organism among urethritis and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) respectively. Chlamydia urethritis had been confirmed by demonstrating ≥5 polymorphonuclear lymphocytes (PMNLs) from the anterior urethra using a Gram stained urethral smear. Acute condition (7-14 days) more common in GU. Dysuria and purulent urethral discharge (68.6%) was more common in GU. In urine specimen pus cells count were more than 10. The most common age group was 21-30 year (42.86%). Most patients were from low socio-economic status (62.85%). Sexual exposure was more common in unmarried patients (94.74%). Heterosexual exposure (93.75%) was more common. Urethritis was also associated with other infection in 18 patients.

Conclusions Urethritis is inflammation of urethra which is manifested by dysuria with or without urethral discharge. Though there is increased incidence of Chlamydia infections, still now Gonococcal infection is the most common cause of urethritis.