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Perception of the need for digital rectal examination at the initial urological consultation
Perception of the need for digital rectal examination at the initial urological consultation
Miguel A. Salazar-Arenas 1, 2 
, Águeda Muñoz del Carpio-Toia 3
1 Servicio de Urología, Hospital Regional Honorio Delgado, Arequipa, Perú; 2 Catedra de Urología, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa, Perú; 3 Escuela de Postgrado, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Estudios Generales, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa, Perú
*Correspondence: Miguel A. Salazar-Arenas. Email: salazararenasmiguelangel@gmail.com
Abstract
Objective: To determine the perception of the need for a digital rectal examination at the first urology consultation in patients between 40 and 60 years of age. Method: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 213 patients between 40 and 60 years of age who attended the urology clinic during October, November, and December 2024. Results: Regarding the perception of the digital rectal examination, 51% of patients do not see its use as necessary during the urology consultation, 20% of patients believe that it could affect their masculinity, 31% report that it can be associated with pain, and 13% of patients indicate that it could cause erectile dysfunction. Conclusions: There is a poor perception among our population about digital rectal examination, which creates a barrier to prostate cancer detection.
Keywords: Digital rectal examination. Perception. Prostate.
