Korean Society of Endourology and Robotics (KSER) recommendation on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of urolithiasis.

This article provides evidence-based recommendations and expert opinions to aid urologists in making optimal decisions regarding managing urolithiasis in various clinical scenarios. The most frequently asked questions by urologists in their clinical practice have been collected and answered in the form of FAQs; based on the latest evidence and expert opinions. The natural history of urolithiasis is divided into active treatment and silent phases, with the active treatment stage divided into typical and special situations and peri-treatment management. The authors address 28 key questions, offering practical guidance for the proper diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of urolithiasis in clinical practice. This article is expected to be served as a valuable resource for urologists.

Prognostic nutritional index as a prognostic factor for renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is a simple parameter which reflects patient's nutritional and inflammatory status and reported as a prognostic factor for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Studies were included from database inception until February 2, 2022. The aim of this study is to evaluate prognostic value of PNI by meta-analysis of the diagnostic test accuracy in RCC. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Studies were retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases and assessed sensitivity, specificity, summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) and area under curve (AUC). Totally, we identified 11 studies with a total of 7,296 patients were included to evaluate the prognostic value of PNI in RCC finally. They indicated a pooled sensitivity of 0.733 (95% CI, 0.651-0.802), specificity of 0.615 (95% CI, 0.528-0.695), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 4.382 (95% CI, 3.148-6.101) and AUC of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.68-0.76). Heterogeneity was significant and univariate meta-regression revealed that metastasis and cut-off value of PNI might be the potential source of heterogeneity. Multivariate meta-regression analysis also demonstrated that metastasis might be the source of heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: PNI demonstrated a good diagnostic accuracy as a prognostic factor for RCC and especially in case of metastatic RCC.

Albumin-to-Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio as a Novel Prognostic Factor in Patients Undergoing Nephrectomy for Non-Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the prognostic value of albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) on recurrence and survival in patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with radical or partial nephrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 1994 and December 2018, 491 patients with RCC who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy at 2 institutions were enrolled in this study. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) analyses were performed to distinguish the differences in postoperative recurrence and survival between patients stratified by an optimal cut-off value of AAPR. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were established to determine the independent prognostic factors after propensity score weighting. RESULTS: Of the total 491 patients, 51 patients (10.4%) developed local recurrence or distant metastasis and 26 patients (5.3%) died of disease during the follow-up period. Patients with AAPR<0.41 had significantly lower rates of RFS and CSS than those of patients with AAPR≥0.41 in multivariate analysis (P < .001 and P = .027, respectively). After propensity scroe matching analyses, this difference was still remained for RFS (P < .001). However, AAPR was not an independent prognostic factor for CSS but the value was almost pregnant (HR = 2.674; 95%CI = 0.872-8.203; P = .086). CONCLUSION: AAPR can serve as a novel and useful tool to refine prognosis in patients with non-metastatic RCC treated with partial or radical nephrectomy. These findings suggest that AAPR could be a promising prognostic factor for prediction of recurrence and survival in patients with non-metastatic RCC who undergo nephrectomy.

Prognostic nutritional index and prognosis in renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) as a prognostic factor for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible studies that evaluated the prognostic impact of pretreatment PNI in RCC patients were identified by comprehensive searching the electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Central Search library, and EMBASE. The end points were overall/cancer-specific survival (OS/CSS) and recurrence-free/disease-free survival (RFS/DFS). Meta-analysis using random-effects models was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In total, 9 retrospective, observational, case-control studies involving 5,976 patients were included for final analysis. Eight studies evaluated OS/CSS, and 5 evaluated RFS/DFS. Our results showed that lower PNI was significantly associated with unfavorable OS/CSS (HR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.44-1.96, P < 0.001, I2 = 9.2%, P = 0.359) and RFS/DFS (HR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.57-2.50, P < 0.001, I2 = 18.2%, P = 0.299) in patients with RCC. Subgroup and meta-regression analysis based on ethnicity, study sample size, presence of metastasis, PNI cut-off value, Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale (NOS) score, and gender ratio all showed that lower PNI was associated with poorer OS/CSS and RFS/DFS. Funnel plots and Egger's tests indicated significant publication bias in OS/CSS (P = 0.001), but not in RFS/DFS (P = 0.757). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicated that lower PNI was a negative prognostic factor and associated with tumor progression and poorer survival of patients with RCC. Therefore, PNI could be a potential prognostic predictor of treatment outcomes for patients with RCC.

Postoperative membranous urethral length is the single most important surgical factor predicting recovery of postoperative urinary continence.

PURPOSE: To analyze the potential surgical factors affecting postoperative urinary continence, including postoperative membranous urethral length (MUL), in an era where open radical prostatectomy (ORP) and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) coexist. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing either ORP or RARP between April 2009 and June 2017 were included in this study. Pericatheter urethrography (PCU) was performed the day of catheter removal to confirm healing of the vesicourethral anastomosis and to measure PCU-MUL. Daily usage of incontinence pad was self-reported by the patient at each post-operative visit through a questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors that influenced recovery of continence. RESULTS: Of the 196 patients included, 121 and 75 patients received ORP and RARP, respectively. The cumulative full continence rates (0 pad/day) at 1 year in the ORP and RARP groups were 87% and 95%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, older age, high preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) irritative symptom domain, ORP, poorer NVB preservation, and shorter PCU-MUL were associated with delayed recovery of full continence. In the multivariate analysis, only older age, high preoperative IPSS irritative symptom domain, and shorter PCU-MUL remained as independent factors significantly associated with delayed recovery of full continence. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the importance of saving the MUL as long as possible in terms of continence recovery. This holds true for ORP even in the era of RARP and surgeons should not simply give up the prospect of early urinary continence in exchange for the patient's choice of ORP instead of RARP.

Diagnostic Test Accuracy of Glasgow Prognostic Score as a Prognostic Factor for Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of the diagnostic test accuracy of Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) as a prognostic factor for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies were retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases, and we performed comprehensive searches to identify studies that evaluated the prognostic impact of pretreatment GPS in RCC patients. We assessed sensitivity, specificity, summary receiver operating characteristic curve, and area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Totally, studies were searched under the prespecified criteria, and 8 studies with a total of 1191 patients were included to evaluate the prognostic impact of GPS in RCC finally. They indicated a pooled sensitivity of 0.785 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.705-0.848), specificity of 0.782 (95% CI: 0.656-0.871), diagnostic odds ratio of 13.089 (95% CI: 7.168-23.899), and AUC of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.79-0.86). Heterogeneity was significant, and meta-regression revealed that the presence of metastasis might be the potential source of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis also demonstrated that the presence of metastasis might be the source of heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: GPS demonstrated a good diagnostic accuracy as a prognostic factor for RCC and especially in the case of nonmetastatic RCC.

Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Prognostic Nutritional Index in Patients Undergoing Nephrectomy for Nonmetastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the value of a preoperative Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) for predicting the survival of patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with partial or radical nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 480 patients with RCC who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy at 2 institutions between June 1994 and July 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. After the exclusion of 21 patients with lymph node or distant metastasis, the data of 459 patients with nonmetastatic RCC were included. The PNI was calculated using a combination of serum albumin level and lymphocyte count in the peripheral blood, as described previously. The prognostic significance of various clinicopathologic variables, including the PNI, was assessed in univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The univariate analysis identified anemia, PNI, tumor size, T stage, Fuhrman nuclear grade, sarcomatoid differentiation, and lymphovascular invasion as significant prognostic factors of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). In the multivariate analysis, anemia (P=0.010), PNI (P<0.001), tumor size (P<0.001), T stage (P<0.001), Fuhrman nuclear grade (P=0.023), sarcomatoid differentiation (P=0.003), and lymphovascular invasion (P=0.005) were independent prognostic factors for RFS, versus anemia (P=0.020), PNI (P=0.002), tumor size (P<0.001), T stage (P<0.001), sarcomatoid differentiation (P<0.001), and lymphovascular invasion (P=0.018) for CSS. CONCLUSIONS: The PNI is an independent prognostic factor for RFS and CSS in patients with nonmetastatic RCC treated with partial or radical nephrectomy. It may, therefore, be a useful tool for predicting recurrence and survival in these patients.

Prognostic value of the Glasgow Prognostic Score in renal cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) has been reported to predict oncologic outcomes in various type of cancer. However, their prognostic value in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is unclear. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the prognostic significance of GPS in RCC patients. METHODS: We performed comprehensive searches of electronic databases to identify studies that evaluated the prognostic impact of pretreatment GPS in RCC patients. The end points were cancer-specific survival (CSS), recurrence-free/disease-free survival (RFS/DFS). Meta-analysis using random-effects models was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Nine retrospective, observational, cohort studies involving 2096 patients were included. Seven studies evaluated CSS, and three evaluated RFS. Our results showed that higher GPS (0 vs. 1 vs. 2) was significantly predictive of poorer CSS (HR 3.68, 95 % CI 2.52-5.40, p < 0.001) and RFS/DFS (HR 2.83, 95 % CI 1.86-4.30, p < 0.001) in patients with RCC. These findings were robust when stratified by sample size, presence of metastasis, and study region. We also conducted subgroup analysis by assessment of Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale (NOS) score, and the HRs were 2.708 (95 % CI 1.969, 3.725) in under 7 points group, 3.685 (95 % CI 2.516, 5.396) in over than 7 points group in CSS. Meta-regression analysis indicated that NOS score group had a significant difference in HRs (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Higher GPS is associated with tumor progression and is predictive of poorer survival in patients with RCC. Therefore, GPS may help to inform treatment decisions and predict treatment outcomes.

Prognostic significance of modified Glasgow Prognostic Score in patients with non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) as a prognostic factor in patients with non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and methods Between June 1994 and July 2012, 469 patients with RCC underwent radical or partial nephrectomy at two hospitals. Among these patients, 65 with non-clear cell type histology and 16 with lymph-node or distant metastasis were excluded. The medical records of the remaining 388 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The mGPS was calculated using a selective combination of C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin as previously described. The prognostic significance of various clinicopathological variables including mGPS was analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Of the total 388 patients, 40 patients (10.3%) developed local recurrence or distant metastasis and 18 patients (4.6%) died of disease during the follow-up period. The univariate analysis identified CRP, mGPS, thrombocytosis, T stage, Fuhrman's nuclear grade and lymphovascular invasion as significant prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). The multivariate analysis indicated that mGPS (p < 0.001), T stage (p = 0.024) and lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.046) were independent prognostic factors for RFS, whereas mGPS (p = 0.001) was the only independent prognostic factor for CSS. Conclusions The mGPS is an independent prognostic factor for RFS and CSS in patients with non-metastatic clear cell RCC treated with radical or partial nephrectomy. These findings suggest that mGPS should be used for predicting recurrence or survival in patients undergoing nephrectomy for non-metastatic clear cell RCC.

Rethinking of ureteral stent removal using an extraction string; what patients feel and what is patients' preference? : a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Ureteral stent removal using an extraction string is advantageous because it can obviate an invasive cystoscopy, but there is a paucity of data on how patients feel about it, and how bothersome or beneficial it is. We performed this study to evaluate patients' preference for stent removal using an extraction string and which parameters could affect it. METHODS: In total, 114 consecutive patients undergoing ureteral stent insertion after ureteroscopic stone removal (URS) for unilateral recurrent ureter stones were enrolled. Patients were randomized to a string group or a no string group. Stent removal was performed on the first visit within 7 days postoperatively. All patients were asked to complete the ureteral stent symptom questionnaire, to rate the degree of pain during stent removal using a visual analog scale (VAS) and to answer to questions regarding their preference. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in domain total scores including urinary symptoms (p = 0.17), pain (p = 0.62), general health (p = 0.37), work performance (p = 0.41). However, regarding separate questions for 'dysuria' and 'difficulties with heavy physical activity', there were significant intergroup differences (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively). Particular, a significantly higher proportion of patients in the string group checked 'stoppage of sexual intercourse due to stent-related problems' than in the no string group (p = 0.03). VAS score on stent removal was significantly higher in the no string group than the string group (p = 0.005). Among the patients who remember the experience of an indwelling ureteral stent in the past, 85% (17/20) of the no string group answered 'No' to the question of 'difference between the methods used in this time and in the past'. On the contrary, 84.2% (16/19) answered 'Yes' to the same question in the string group. And, all 16 patients of the string group who noted differences between the methods preferred ureteral stent removal using an extraction string to the past method. CONCLUSIONS: Despite of minor increased morbidity related to the extraction string, patients preferred ureteral stent removal using the extraction string after URS. The patients with the extraction string felt less pain on stent removal than flexible cystoscopic stent removal. TRIAL REGISTRATION: KCT0001700 . The trial was registered in the Clinical Research Information Service (CRiS), Republic of Korea; registration date: 18/11/2015.

The influence of membranous stretched urethral length and urethral circumference on postoperative recovery of continence after radical prostatectomy: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: We investigate the influence of stretched membranous urethral length (SUL) and urethral circumference (UC) on postoperative recovery of continence after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: To evaluate the distal continence zone intraoperatively, we individually measured and recorded stretched membranous urethral length (distance between the urogenital diaphragm and the prostate apex with cephalad retraction, SUL) and urethral circumference (UC) after exposure of the urethra. We analyzed the association between magnetic resonance imaging-measured membranous urethral length (MRIL) and urethral diameter (MRID) and intraoperative SUL and UC and influence on return to continence. RESULTS: The mean patient age, SUL and UC were 66.5 ± 6.0 years, 24.2 ± 3.3 mm, and 27.5 ± 4.4 mm, respectively. MRIL and MRID were 11.3 ± 1.6 mm and 10.6 ± 1.9mm, respectively. In the bivariate correlation analysis, there was no statistically significant correlation between SUL and MRIL (p = 0.201) and between UC and MRID (p = 0.124). In the Kaplan-Meier curve analysis, cumulative continence rates between the two groups dichotomized at the median value according to age (p = 0.0519), SUL (p = 0.6583), UC (p = 0.4031), MRIL (p = 0.4042), and MRID (p = 0.8191) were not significantly different. High SUL-to-MRIL ratio (>2.2) was the only significant predictor of lower cumulative continence rate (p = 0.0457). CONCLUSIONS: MRIL measured during surgery was not associated with postoperative continence recovery after RP. We observed that an excessively long membranous urethra compared to the urethral length on preoperative MRI is predictive of poorer postoperative continence recovery. However, small sample size and potential confounding surgical factors limit the significance of this study.

The correlation between the treatment efficacy and the sympathetic activity in men with lower urinary tract symptoms.

PURPOSE: In this study, we examined the difference in the treatment efficacy depending on the sympathetic activity in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: In the current single-center, retrospective study, we evaluated a total of 66 male patients aged 40-70 years of age, presenting with LUTS, whose International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) exceeded 8 points. They had a past 3-month history of taking alfuzosin XL, and their heart rate variability (HRV) was measured before and after the treatment. In addition, we also recruited 39 healthy volunteers who visited a health promotion center for a regular medical check-up. They were aged between 40 and 70 years and had an IPSS of <8 points. We divided the patients with LUTS into two groups: the groups A and B, based on a low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio of 1.7, which was the mean value of the LF/HF ratio in the healthy volunteers. After a 3-month treatment with alfuzosin XL, we compared treatment outcomes, based on the IPSS and peak urine flow rate, between the two groups. RESULTS: A 3-month treatment with alfuzosin XL, comprising the measurement of the HRV, was performed for the 23 patients of the group A (23/38) and 17 of the group B (17/28). After a 3-month treatment with alfuzosin XL, total IPSS and IPSS questionnaire 2 and 5 were significantly lower in the group A as compared with the group B. But this was not seen in the group B. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in other parameters, such as maximal flow rate and IPSS storage subscore, between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the treatment efficacy was lower in patients with sympathetic hyperactivity as compared with those with sympathetic hypoactivity. Thus, our results will provide a basis for further studies to clarify causes of LUTS in a clinical setting.

The initial experience of pneumovesicoscopic bladder stone removal using a laparoscopic entrapment sac.

INTRODUCTION: In this article, we aim to present our novel experience of bladder stone removal under pneumovesicoscopic field using a laparoscopic entrapment sac. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 21 patients who had pneumovesicoscopic bladder stone removal to assess a variety of patient characteristics and surgical outcomes. We considered stone burden, stone removal time including pneumovesicoscopic procedure time, postoperative catheter indwelling duration, postoperative hospital stay, and complications. The procedure was performed in the following steps: Under cystoscopy filled with saline solution, a 10-mm suprapubic transvesical trocar was inserted. After changing optical transmission medium from saline to CO(2) gas, pneumovesicoscopic procedure was performed to put stones in an entrapment sac inserted through the trocar. The stones trapped in the sac were extracorporeally broken with a lithotripter via the suprapubic route. The mean patient age was 58.95 ± 22.03 years. The mean stone burden was 4.88 ± 2.63 cm. Eleven patients had a single stone, whereas 10 had multiple stones. All stones were completely removed. The mean operative time was 31.66 ± 7.25 minutes, including the pneumovesicoscopic procedure time of 13.81 ± 7.30 minutes. In all but 6 patients with a cystostomy or a combined transurethral resection of the prostate, the urethra catheter was removed on the day after surgery; the mean postoperative hospital stay was 1.67 ± 0.49 days. There were 5 postoperative complications of Clavien grade I or II. CONCLUSION: We report the technical feasibility of pneumovesicoscopic bladder stone removal using a laparoscopic entrapment sac as a minimally invasive method. This technique will likely become more important as a useful option for treating bladder stones.

Comparison of Non-contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography and Intravenous Pyelogram for Detection of Patients With Urinary Calculi.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the changing pattern in the use of intravenous pyelogram (IVP), conventional computed tomography (CT), and non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (NECT) for evaluation of patients with acute flank pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 2,180 patients with acute flank pain who had visited Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital between January 2008 and December 2012 and analyzed the use of IVP, conventional CT, and NECT for these patients. RESULTS: During the study period there was a significant increase in NECT use (p<0.001) and a significant decrease in IVP use (p<0.001). Conventional CT use was also increased significantly (p=0.001). During this time the proportion of patients with acute flank pain who were diagnosed with urinary calculi did not change significantly (p=0.971). CONCLUSIONS: There was a great shift in the use of imaging study from IVP to NECT between 2008 and 2012 for patients with acute flank pain.

Comparative analysis of radiologically measured size and true size of renal tumors.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the differences between radiologically measured size and pathologic size of renal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data from 171 patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy for a renal tumor at Ajou University Hospital were reviewed. Radiologic tumor size, which was defined as the largest diameter on a computed tomographic scan, was compared with pathologic tumor size, which was defined as the largest diameter on gross pathologic examination. RESULTS: Mean radiologic size was significantly larger than mean pathologic size for all tumors (p=0.019). When stratified according to radiologic size range, mean radiologic size was significantly larger than mean pathologic size for tumors <4 cm (p=0.003), but there was no significant difference between the sizes for tumors 4-7 cm and >7 cm. When classified according to histologic subtype, mean radiologic size was significantly larger than mean pathologic size only in clear cell renal cell carcinomas (p=0.002). When classified according to tumor location, mean radiologic size was significantly larger than mean pathologic size in endophytic tumors (p=0.043) but not in exophytic tumors. When endophytic tumors were stratified according to radiologic size range, there was a significant difference between the mean radiologic and pathologic sizes for tumors <4 cm (p=0.001) but not for tumors 4-7 cm (p=0.073) and >7 cm (p=0.603). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in planning a nephron-sparing surgery for renal tumors, especially for endophytic tumors of less than 4 cm, the tumor size measured on a computed tomography scan should be readjusted to get a more precise estimate of the tumor size.

The difference of lower urinary tract symptoms between sympathetic hyperactive and hypoactive men.

PURPOSE: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a tool used to measure autonomic nervous function; however, there is no evidence that it can be used to define sympathetic hyperactivity in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We suspected that LUTS would differ between sympathetic hyperactive and hypoactive patients. Therefore, we measured HRV and divided the LUTS patients into two groups, a sympathetic hyperactive group and a sympathetic hypoactive group according to the low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio and made clinical comparisons between the groups. METHODS: A total of 43 patients with symptomatic LUTS (International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] over 8) and 49 healthy volunteers were enrolled. No subjects had diseases that could affect the autonomic nervous system, such as diabetes or hypertension. Electrocardiographic signals were obtained from subjects in the resting state and HRV indexes were calculated with spectral analyses. We divided the LUTS patients into two groups by an LF/HF ratio of 1.9, which was the median value in the healthy volunteers, and compared the differences in clinical characteristics, IPSS, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) results. The parameters were compared by independent sample t-test by use of SPSS ver. 19. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, serum PSA, or volume of the prostate between the 2 LUTS groups. However, analyzing IPSS questionnaires between two groups showed that there were significant differences in mean of Q2 score (frequency) and storage symptom score ([Q2+Q4+Q7]/3) (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that an imbalance of autonomic nervous system activity may be a factor that evokes varieties of symptoms in men with LUTS. LUTS patients with hypoactive sympathetic tone may suffer from frequency and storage symptoms.

Predictive factors for bladder recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: To identify predictive factors for developing subsequent bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) in patients undergoing radical nephroureterectomy for the treatment of upper urinary tract UC (UUT-UC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 78 patients with clinically localized UUT-UC who had undergone operation at our institution between June 1994 and December 2009. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to determine the predictive factors. RESULTS: Out of a total of 78 patients, 14 (17.9%) developed bladder UC after radical nephroureterectomy at a median interval of 10 months (range: 3-46). Of these 14 patients, 11 (78.6%) experienced bladder recurrence within the first 2 years of follow-up. All 14 patients (100%) had non-muscle-invasive bladder UC and 10 patients (71.4%) had high-grade tumors. The univariate analysis identified preoperative voided urine cytology, tumor configuration, and adjuvant systemic chemotherapy as significant predictive factors for bladder recurrence, whereas the multivariate analysis indicated that only preoperative voided urine cytology was an independent predictive factor. CONCLUSIONS: Positive preoperative voided urine cytology is an independent predictor for bladder recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy for UUT-UC. Therefore, closer surveillance of the bladder is necessary, especially in patients with positive preoperative urine cytology.

Prostate-specific antigen nadir and time to prostate-specific antigen nadir following maximal androgen blockade independently predict prognosis in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics following maximal androgen blockade (MAB) on disease progression and cancer-specific survival in patients with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-one patients with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer treated with MAB at our institution were included in this study. Patients' characteristics, PSA at MAB initiation, PSA nadir, time to PSA nadir (TTN), and PSA decline were analyzed by using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 30 months, 97 patients (74.0%) showed disease progression and 65 patients (49.6%) died. Fifty-nine patients (45.0%) died from prostate cancer. In the univariate analysis, PSA at MAB initiation, PSA nadir, TTN, and PSA decline were significant predictors of progression-free survival. Also, PSA nadir, TTN, and PSA decline were significant predictors of cancer-specific survival. In the multivariate analysis, higher PSA nadir (≥0.2 ng/ml) and shorter TTN (<8 months) were independent predictors of shorter progression-free and cancer-specific survival. In the combined analysis of PSA nadir and TTN, patients with higher PSA nadir and shorter TTN had the worst progression-free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 14.098; p<0.001) and cancer-specific survival (HR, 14.050; p<0.001) compared with those with lower PSA nadir and longer TTN. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that higher PSA nadir level and shorter TTN following MAB are associated with higher risk of disease progression and poorer survival in patients with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Furthermore, these two variables have a synergistic effect on the outcome.

Prognostic Significance of Substaging according to the Depth of Lamina Propria Invasion in Primary T1 Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of the depth of lamina propria invasion in primary T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 183 patients with primary T1 TCC of the bladder who had undergone transurethral resection (TUR) at our institution. Substaging was defined according to the depth of lamina propria invasion as follows: T1a, superficial invasion of lamina propria; T1b, invasion into the muscularis mucosa (MM); T1c, invasion beyond the MM but not to the muscularis propria. The prognostic significance of various clinicopathological variables for recurrence and progression was analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 183 patients, substaging was T1a in 119, T1b in 57, and T1c in 7 patients. The recurrence rate was 32.8% for T1a and 40.6% for T1b/c, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. The progression rate was significantly different between the two groups: 5.8% in T1a and 21.9% in T1b/c (p=0.003). The cancer-specific mortality rate was also significantly different: 4.2% in T1a and 14.0% in T1b/c (p=0.036). In the univariate analysis, microscopic tumor architecture was the only significant prognostic factor for recurrence. In the univariate and multivariate analysis concerning progression, depth of lamina propria invasion and concomitant carcinoma in situ were significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Substaging according to the depth of lamina propria invasion in primary T1 TCC of the bladder was an independent prognostic factor for progression. This suggests that substaging would be helpful for guiding decisions about adjuvant therapies and follow-up strategies.

Heart rate variability in assessment of autonomic dysfunction in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare autonomic dysfunction in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). METHODS: The subjects were 30-60 years old and had no known systemic disease. Electrocardiographic signals in the patients in the resting state were obtained from 59 patients with CP/CPPS (age 46.5 ± 7.02 years) and 94 healthy subjects (age 48.4 ± 5.96 years), and heart rate variability parameters were compared. RESULTS: The standard deviation of the N-N interval (P < .001), square root of the mean squared differences of the successive N-N intervals (P = .004), total power (P = .004), very low frequency (P = .012), and high frequency (P < .001) were lower in the patients with CP/CPPS. However, no significant differences were found in the low frequency and low frequency/high frequency ratios. CONCLUSION: Patients with CP/CPPS exhibited lower heart rate variability parameters compared with normal controls, with the exception of low frequency and low frequency/high frequency ratios. Possible differences in autonomic nervous system between those with CP/CPPS and normal healthy subjects could exist and autonomic dysfunction might be 1 of the causes that aggravates CP/CPPS.