(284) EXPECTATIONS AND GENETIC KNOWLEDGE WITHIN AUSTRIAN ANDROLOGIST: A NATIONWIDE SURVEY ANALYSIS. TRUTH OR ILLUSION?

• Published in: Journal of sexual medicine Vol. 20; no. Supplement_4
• Main Authors: Prof. Germar-Michael, Pinggera, Dr. Yannic, Kunz, Dr. Jana, Wurzacher, Dr. Tatjana, Heisinger, Dr. Markus, Huebner, Prof. Wolfgang, Horninger
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 06.07.2023
• ISSN: 1743-6095; 1743-6109
• DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad062.146

Abstract Objectives Recent advances in genetics are shedding light on previously unknown topics in male infertility in the last decade, thus gaining higher importance to these diagnostics. Meanwhile, therapeutic management become often determined by novel genetic/epigenetic findings, therefore, it is essential for practising andrologists to have an adequate knowledge armamentarium. Methods To assess individual genetic knowledge correlated to male infertility and doctors’ expectations we performed an anonymous online survey among Austrian Andrologists and compared these results to one global survey of experts in the field. All Austrian Andrological Working Group members were invited to fill in a short online questionnaire independently. Results The survey was viewed 67 times, 34 experts started it with a completion rate of 85.29% by 5 dropouts after starting. Average time to complete: 3,5 min. Interviewed for the request for genetic investigations in infertile men with NOA/OAT syndrome, only 73.33 % responded with yes, whereas 13.33% no. Overall-Matrix-Scorecard (for maximal 5-score) rating about the importance of genetic investigations in such men is reported in Table 1. Karyogram-analysis will be performed in 32,8%, AZF-microdeletion-mutations-investigations in 31,34% and CFTR-mutation in 22,39% for such men, even less the majority is believing that more sophisticated genetic investigations will help understand male infertility (probably and absolutely yes in 64% and 28%). Regarding their own training in genetics, respondents are believing that they are adequately prepared in 26.67% and not at all in 23.23%; 6,67 % answered somehow, but interestingly 43.33% responded that it could definitively be better. Conclusions The online survey showed exemplary that there is obviously a desire for better knowledge of basic genetic knowledge for adequate therapy of male infertility Furthermore, the current practice is not guideline-oriented. Andrologist specialists appear not comfortable with their own medical education in human genetics. Finally, these national results are in line with the international survey. Conflicts of Interest None