Testicular microlithiasis has been associated with carcinoma in situ and testicular cancer [1,2]. Risk factors for testicular cancer are not clear, but there are som acknowledged or suggested risk factors, e.g. chryptorchidism [3], height [4], familie history of testicular cancer [5] and maternal smoking [6]. However, not much is known about lifestyle and health in men with testicular microlithiasis. The aim was to investigate if lifestyle and health were associated with testicular microlithiaisis.

A 23-item self-administered questionnaire was mailed to men who had undergone a scrotal ultrasound examination between 2004-2013 in the Department of Radiology. The men were categorized into men with testicular microlithiasis and men without, based on their previous ultrasound examination. The questionnaire was develop to gain more knowledge about men with testicular microlithiasis. The questionnaire included questions about age, heigth, weight, lifestyle items such as food and alcohol consumption, smooking habits, testicular diseases, and consumption of analgesic.

From the 1538 men who returned the questionnaire, a total of 197 men had testicular microlithiasis (12.8%). The mean age in men with testicular microlithiasis were 51.9 years (18-89 years) compared to 54.3 years (18-93) in men without. Overall, there were limted difference in men with and without testicular microlithiasis. Men with testicular microlithiasis reported to consume more crisps (36.6% vs. 22.0%,p<0.001)and had less physical exercise (38.6% vs. 48.2%, p=0.011) than men without.

Testicular microlithiasis was not associated with age, height or classic lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking habits or mothers smoking during pregnancy. Men with testicular microlithiasis experienced less physical activity, and consumed more crisps than men without. Ingestion of crips has potential carcinogenic effect (acrylamide), but this needs to be confirmed in a seperate study.

Malene Roland Pedersen, Department of Radiolgy, Vejle Hospital, Beriderbakken 4, DK-7100 Vejle, Denmark. Email [email protected]

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