Gregory Boyle
Boyle, J Clin Transl Res, 2017, 3(S2): 5
Published online: March 25, 2018
Abstract
Ullmann et al. recently published a pilot study in Translational Psychiatry in which they
report failing to find a statistically significant reduction in either hair cortisol or hair
cortisone levels in circumcised men as compared with genitally intact (noncircumcised)
men. Based on such null findings, the authors purport to have "refuted the
psycho-pathological long-term effects of circumcision" and that the lack of significant
results, "add to the growing body of evidence in the literature that male circumcision is
not likely psychologically traumatizing across the life-span." In addition, they claim that
they have proven a "healthy functionality of the LHPA axis" in men subjected to
circumcision during infancy or childhood. However, it is not possible to draw any such
conclusions on the basis of a null finding, especially one derived from an
underpowered study in which the trend in the data suggest, if anything, that an
adequately powered study may have shown the opposite of what the authors claim.
When combined with other weaknesses in study design, measurement, and
interpretation, it becomes apparent that the authors' conclusions are not supported by
their data.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18053/jctres.03.2017S2.005
Author affiliation
Melbourne Graduate School of Education, the University of Melbourne, Australia
Email: gregory.boyle@unimelb.edu.au
Handling editor
Michal Heger
Department of Experimental Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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