Re: Polymorphisms of the Serotonin Transporter Gene and Their Relation to Premature Ejaculation in Individuals From Iran

摘要

To the Editor: We read with interest the article by Safarinejad regarding polymorphisms of the 5-HTT gene in Iranian men with lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE). However, reanalysis of the data listed in table 2 in the article yields a different outcome and conclusion. Since reanalysis shows that the observed number of genotypes in the patients is not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, it is incorrect to conclude that there is a higher prevalence of SS genotypes in Iranian men with LPE, as stated by the author. Recalculation of the fraction of genotypes in this Iranian sample reveals the following observed and expected distributions. Observed distributions consist of SS 0.35, SL 0.35 and LL 0.22, and expected distributions consist of SS 0.28, SL 0.49 and LL 0.22, according to Hardy-Weinberg. Observed and expected distributions compared by chi-square test demonstrate a significant difference (p <0.032, rather than p <0.04, as stated by the author). Genotype prevalences that differ significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are confounded by definition as a result of selection bias and/or inadequate laboratory DNA testing. Moreover, applying the required chi-square test with allelic distributed subgroups (La/La, La/Lg, Lg/Lg) confirms the imbalance of the reported Iranian sample, since the values differ significantly from Hardy-Weinberg (p <0.0013).