The AUA/SUFU guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this guideline is to provide evidence-based guidance to clinicians of all specialties on the evaluation, management, and treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB). The guideline informs the reader on valid diagnostic processes and provides an approach to selecting treatment options for patients with OAB through the shared decision-making process, which will maximize symptom control and quality of life, while minimizing adverse events and burden of disease. METHODS: An electronic search employing OVID was used to systematically search the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, as well as the Cochrane Library, for systematic reviews and primary studies evaluating diagnosis and treatment of OAB from January 2013 to November 2023. Criteria for inclusion and exclusion of studies were based on the Key Questions and the populations, interventions, comparators, outcomes, timing, types of studies and settings (PICOTS) of interest. Following the study selection process, 159 studies were included and were used to inform evidence-based recommendation statements. RESULTS: This guideline produced 33 statements that cover the evaluation and diagnosis of the patient with symptoms suggestive of OAB; the treatment options for patients with OAB, including Noninvasive therapies, pharmacotherapy, minimally invasive therapies, invasive therapies, and indwelling catheters; and the management of patients with BPH and OAB. CONCLUSION: Once the diagnosis of OAB is made, the clinician and the patient with OAB have a variety of treatment options to choose from and should, through shared decision-making, formulate a personalized treatment approach taking into account evidence-based recommendations as well as patient values and preferences.

The AUA/SUFU Guideline on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Idiopathic Overactive Bladder.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this guideline is to provide evidence-based guidance to clinicians of all specialties on the evaluation, management, and treatment of idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB). The guideline informs the reader on valid diagnostic processes and provides an approach to selecting treatment options for patients with OAB through the shared decision-making process, which will maximize symptom control and quality of life, while minimizing adverse events and burden of disease. METHODS: An electronic search employing OVID was used to systematically search the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, as well as the Cochrane Library, for systematic reviews and primary studies evaluating diagnosis and treatment of OAB from January 2013 to November 2023. Criteria for inclusion and exclusion of studies were based on the Key Questions and the populations, interventions, comparators, outcomes, timing, types of studies and settings (PICOTS) of interest. Following the study selection process, 159 studies were included and were used to inform evidence-based recommendation statements. RESULTS: This guideline produced 33 statements that cover the evaluation and diagnosis of the patient with symptoms suggestive of OAB; the treatment options for patients with OAB, including non-invasive therapies, pharmacotherapy, minimally invasive therapies, invasive therapies, and indwelling catheters; and the management of patients with BPH and OAB. CONCLUSION: Once the diagnosis of OAB is made, the clinician and the patient with OAB have a variety of treatment options to choose from and should, through shared decision-making, formulate a personalized treatment approach taking into account evidence-based recommendations as well as patient values and preferences.

Diversity in Urology, Are We Moving in the Right Direction?: Analysis of American Urologic Association Urology Residency Match Statistics 2019-2023.

Analysis of the urology match statistics provides a window into the future of the urology workforce. Match statistics from 2019 to 2023 were analyzed to determine whether the efforts to promote diversity in 2020 have been impactful. The popularity in the field of urology among all racial/ethnic groups peaked interest in application in 2022. However despite an increase in URIM applicants over the last 5 years, 2023 URM applicants have 1/3 the odds of matching into urology as white applicants.

Association of Urinary Incontinence and Depression: Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between urinary incontinence and depression. An estimated 21 million adults in the United States (U.S.) reported at least one major depressive episode. Urinary incontinence has a well-described negative impact on quality of life. METHODS: We included respondents aged ≥20 who participated in the 2017 - March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles. Our dichotomous outcomes were depression and clinical depression. The predictor variable urinary incontinence was assessed using the validated incontinence severity index. We fitted an adjusted multivariable logistic regression and performed interaction analysis for urinary incontinence and our variable of interest. RESULTS: Among a weighted sample of 233.5 million people (unweighted 8256), 19.9 million (8.5%) reported depression (P < .001). The weighted population was 48.6% male, 55.2% married, and 63.4% non-Hispanic White (all P < .001). Moderate and severe urinary incontinence was associated with depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.3; 95%CI [1.5-3.3]; aOR 3.8; 95%CI [2.5-3.3]; P < .001). No association was observed between urinary incontinence and clinical depression. Interaction analysis showed that men (aOR 3.62; 95%CI [2.13-6.15]; Pint<.001) and participants at the lowest socioeconomic status (aOR 2.2; 95%CI [1.3-3.71]; Pint=.005) with moderate/severe urinary incontinence had higher odds of depression than their continent counterparts. CONCLUSION: We report that urinary incontinence is an independent predictor of depression in a nationally representative survey for men and those in the lowest socioeconomic tier. The association is most prominent among men and the socioeconomically disadvantaged population. This suggests that treatment for urinary incontinence may be important tool to reduce depression in the general population.

Clinical Trial-Ready Patient Cohorts for Multiple System Atrophy: Coupling Biospecimen and iPSC Banking to Longitudinal Deep-Phenotyping.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology characterized by widespread aggregation of the protein alpha-synuclein in neurons and glia. Its orphan status, biological relationship to Parkinson's disease (PD), and rapid progression have sparked interest in drug development. One significant obstacle to therapeutics is disease heterogeneity. Here, we share our process of developing a clinical trial-ready cohort of MSA patients (69 patients in 2 years) within an outpatient clinical setting, and recruiting 20 of these patients into a longitudinal "n-of-few" clinical trial paradigm. First, we deeply phenotype our patients with clinical scales (UMSARS, BARS, MoCA, NMSS, and UPSIT) and tests designed to establish early differential diagnosis (including volumetric MRI, FDG-PET, MIBG scan, polysomnography, genetic testing, autonomic function tests, skin biopsy) or disease activity (PBR06-TSPO). Second, we longitudinally collect biospecimens (blood, CSF, stool) and clinical, biometric, and imaging data to generate antecedent disease-progression scores. Third, in our Mass General Brigham SCiN study (stem cells in neurodegeneration), we generate induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models from our patients, matched to biospecimens, including postmortem brain. We present 38 iPSC lines derived from MSA patients and relevant disease controls (spinocerebellar ataxia and PD, including alpha-synuclein triplication cases), 22 matched to whole-genome sequenced postmortem brain. iPSC models may facilitate matching patients to appropriate therapies, particularly in heterogeneous diseases for which patient-specific biology may elude animal models. We anticipate that deeply phenotyped and genotyped patient cohorts matched to cellular models will increase the likelihood of success in clinical trials for MSA.

Workforce Diversity in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery: An Analysis of the American Urological Association Census Data.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the current state of workforce diversity in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) using the 2014-2019 American Urological Association (AUA) census data. MATERIALS: We evaluated FPMRS workforce diversity using the AUA census data from 2014 to 2019. Underrepresented in medicine (URiM) groups were categorized as individuals who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black/African American, Hispanic, Multiracial, and Other. The FPMRS workforce was then compared to the overall urologic workforce and the other urologic subspecialties (oncology, pediatric urology, and endourology) and assessed by AUA section. RESULTS: In 2019, 602 urologists self-identified as FPMRS providers. Of these 12.4% (n = 74) were categorized as URiM urologists compared to 8% of the overall urologic workforce. Women who represent 9.9% of all urologists were overrepresented in FPMRS workforce (46.5%). FPMRS had the largest proportion of URiM and women urologists when compared to the other subspecialty areas. CONCLUSION: The FPMRS urologic subspecialty has the highest percentage of women and URiM urologists compared to all other urologic subspecialty areas. Engagement initiatives and targeted programs may offer insights into this trend. Further research is required to determine the impact of such programs in attracting URiM and women to FPMRS.

Staphylococcus aureus impairs cutaneous wound healing by activating the expression of a gap junction protein, connexin-43 in keratinocytes.

Chronic wounds have been considered as major medical problems that may result in expensive healthcare. One of the common causes of chronic wounds is bacterial contamination that leads to persistent inflammation and unbalanced host cell immune responses. Among the bacterial strains that have been identified from chronic wounds, Staphylococcus aureus is the most common strain. We previously observed that S. aureus impaired mouse cutaneous wound healing by delaying re-epithelialization. Here, we investigated the mechanism of delayed re-epithelialization caused by S. aureus infection. With the presence of S. aureus exudate, the migration of in vitro cultured human keratinocytes was significantly inhibited and connexin-43 (Cx43) was upregulated. Inhibition of keratinocyte migration by S. aureus exudate disappeared in keratinocytes where the expression of Cx43 knocked down. Protein kinase phosphorylation array showed that phosphorylation of Akt-S473 was upregulated by S. aureus exudate. In vivo study of Cx43 in S. aureus-infected murine splinted cutaneous wound model showed upregulation of Cx43 in the migrating epithelial edge by S. aureus infection. Treatment with a PI3K/Akt inhibitor reduced Cx43 expression and overcame the wound closure impairment by S. aureus infection in the mouse model. This may contribute to the development of treatment to bacterium-infected wounds.

Comparative Effectiveness of Transurethral Prostate Procedures at Enabling Urologic Medication Discontinuation: A Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that transurethral prostate procedures (TUPPs) eliminating tissue result in greater medication discontinuation and lower de novo initiation rates than procedures inducing tissue necrosis. METHODS: Retrospective review of all men undergoing first time TUPPs at a large tertiary center from 2001 to 2016 was completed. Procedure type and urologic medication use before, 3-12 months after, and greater than 12 months after TUPP were analyzed with simple open prostatectomy as a comparator. Tissue-eliminating TUPPs included transurethral resection of the prostate and laser prostatectomy. Tissue-necrosing procedures included microwave therapy (transurethral microwave therapy) and radiofrequency ablation (transurethral needle ablation), which were grouped in analyses. Medication types were 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARI), alpha blockers, anticholinergics, and beta-3 agonists (B3A). RESULTS: A total 5150 TUPPs were analyzed. Preoperative medication use significantly varied across TUPPs for 5ARI (P <.01), alpha-blockers (P .01), and anticholinergics (P .047), but not B3A (P .476). Transurethral resection of the prostate and laser prostatectomy were associated with significantly higher medication discontinuation rates and lower resumption and initiation rates compared to tissue-necrosing procedures. Relative to TUPPs, simple prostatectomy had significantly higher medication discontinuation, as well as the lowest resumption and initiation rates. CONCLUSION: Tissue-eliminating benign prostatic hyperplasia procedures were associated with better medication discontinuation, resumption, and de novo initiation rates compared to tissue-necrosing benign prostatic hyperplasia procedures.

Trends in urodynamic testing prior to midurethral sling placement-What was the value of the VALUE trial?

BACKGROUND: Many urologists use urodynamic testing (UDS) to assist clinical decision-making. The VALUE study, a multi-institutional, randomized controlled trial published in 2012, demonstrated that UDS prior to midurethral sling placement for uncomplicated stress urinary incontinence (SUI) did not change management. We sought to determine whether use of UDS for evaluation of SUI diminished thereafter. METHODS: Records of patients who underwent isolated mid-urethral sling surgery at our tertiary-care referral center from 2008 to 2009 (pre-VALUE) and 2014 to 2016 (post-VALUE) were reviewed. Comorbidities, presenting symptoms, surgeon specialty, use of UDS, UDS results and sling type were recorded. Patients with neurologic comorbidities or prior anti-incontinence procedures were excluded. Descriptive statistics were calculated and multivariable logistic regression analyses performed. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 54 years. Patients most frequently presented with stress urinary incontinence (56% pre, 50% post), followed by stress predominant mixed urinary incontinence (40% pre, 48% post, P = 0.09). Before VALUE, UDS was performed in 70% of patients prior to primary sling; in the later cohort, this decreased to 41% (P < 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, provider specialty (P < 0.0001) and belonging to the pre-VALUE cohort (P = < 0.0001) predicted use of UDS prior to sling. CONCLUSION: It is paramount that new data be incorporated into diagnostic and treatment algorithms. We found that the rate of preoperative urodynamic testing decreased after publication of a randomized-controlled trial demonstrating that these studies did not change procedural decision-making. Future studies that identify instances of over-testing may have the ability to positively impact patient care and contain costs.

Sacral Neuromodulation Device Heating During Lumbar and Pelvic Magnetic Resonance Imaging-a Phantom Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate radiofrequency-induced temperature rises associated with performing lumbar and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies with an implanted sacral neuromodulation device using a phantom model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An accepted phantom model of radiofrequency-induced heating in human tissue was used to measure the temperature rise in the stimulator lead electrodes and impulse generator under the conditions used during routine clinical lumbar and pelvic MRIs in a 1.5Tesla MRI scanner. Testing configurations included an intact device (tined lead connected to generator), an intact lead, and a lead fragment (model of lead fracture). Variations in the position of the phantom relative to the scanner were also tested. RESULTS: During testing with the intact device or the lead fragment no significant heating was detected. In contrast, the isolated intact lead model showed heating up to 5°C. CONCLUSION: These tests provide preliminary evidence that the risk of heating is low for clinical lumbar and pelvic MRI at 1.5-Tesla with an intact sacral neuromodulation device system and with a fractured lead. However, there is a significant temperature change in the intact lead model.

Impact of Age and Comorbidities on Use of Sacral Neuromodulation.

PURPOSE: We investigated the influence of patient age on sacral nerve stimulation trial outcomes, device implantation and treatment durability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed a database of all sacral nerve stimulation procedures performed between 2012 and 2014 at a high volume institution for associations of patient age with sacral nerve stimulation indication, trial stimulation success, device revision and device explantation. RESULTS: In a cohort of 356 patients those with nonobstructive urinary retention and urgency-frequency were younger than patients with urgency urinary incontinence. Trial stimulation success did not differ by age in stage 1 and percutaneous nerve evaluation trials (p = 0.51 and 0.84, respectively). Logistic regression identified greater odds of trial success in females compared to males (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.32-6.04, p = 0.009) and for urgency urinary incontinence compared to urgency-frequency (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.39-6.50, p = 0.006). In analyzed patients there were 119 surgical revisions, including battery replacement, and 53 explantations. Age was associated with a decreased risk of revision with 3% lower odds per each additional year of age (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.98, p <0.0001). While age did not influence explantation, for each body mass index unit there was a 5% decrease in the odds of explantation (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous studies, older patients experienced no difference in the sacral nerve stimulation response in stimulation trials and no difference in the implantation rate. Furthermore, age was modestly protective against device revision. This suggests that age alone should not negatively predict sacral nerve stimulation responses.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic prostatitis can cause pain and urinary symptoms, and can occur either with an active infection (chronic bacterial prostatitis [CBP]) or with only pain and no evidence of bacterial causation (chronic pelvic pain syndrome [CPPS]). Bacterial prostatitis is characterised by recurrent urinary tract infections or infection in the prostate with the same bacterial strain, which often results from urinary tract instrumentation. However, the cause and natural history of CPPS are unknown and not associated with active infection. METHODS AND OUTCOMES: We conducted a systematic overview and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of treatments for chronic bacterial prostatitis? What are the effects of treatments for chronic pelvic pain syndrome? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to February 2014 (Clinical Evidence overviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this overview). RESULTS: At this update, searching of electronic databases retrieved 131 studies. After deduplication and removal of conference abstracts, 67 records were screened for inclusion in the overview. Appraisal of titles and abstracts led to the exclusion of 51 studies and the further review of 16 full publications. Of the 16 full articles evaluated, three systematic reviews and one RCT were included at this update. We performed a GRADE evaluation for 14 PICO combinations. CONCLUSIONS: In this systematic overview, we categorised the efficacy for 12 interventions based on information relating to the effectiveness and safety of 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, allopurinol, alpha-blockers, local injections of antimicrobial drugs, mepartricin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), oral antimicrobial drugs, pentosan polysulfate, quercetin, sitz baths, transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT), and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Risk of urethral stricture recurrence increases over time after urethroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To report a single institutional experience with urethroplasty outcomes and success rates at long-term follow up. METHODS: A retrospective review was carried out of all urethroplasties performed by a single surgeon from 2000 to 2010. A total of 347 patients underwent urethroplasty during this time period, of which 227 had minimum 1-year follow-up data available. Demographic, clinical, pathological and outcome data were reviewed. Recurrence was defined by patient reported urinary symptoms or need for subsequent intervention. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 26% of all patients had a recurrence at a mean follow up of 62 months (range 13-147 months). The recurrence rate after anastomotic urethroplasty was 18%, as compared with 31% after substitution urethroplasty. Mean time to recurrence was 34 months (range 5-87). On univariate analysis, use of abdominal skin graft, history of prior urethroplasty, lichen sclerosus and length of follow up were statistically significant predictors of recurrence. On multivariate analysis, only history of prior urethroplasty and length of follow-up time exceeding 48 months were statistically significant predictors of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Urethroplasty for urethral stricture is the most durable treatment modality, regardless of surgical approach. However, there is an ongoing risk of recurrence with the passage of time. Patients should be counseled appropriately on the potential for late recurrence of stricture disease after urethroplasty.

Refinement and validation of the urethral stricture score in categorizing anterior urethral stricture complexity.

OBJECTIVE: To update, simplify, and validate the UREThRAL Stricture Score (now called the U-score) for anterior urethral strictures, with the goal of using this system as a predictor of surgical complexity. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 102 patients (test set) who underwent anterior urethroplasty at Barnes-Jewish Hospital from 2009 to 2012 and a validation set of 96 patients from Northwestern University. The U-score was based on length (1-3 points), stricture number (1-2 points), location (1-2 points), and etiology (1-2 points) for a total ranging from 4 to 9. Excision and primary anastomosis, buccal mucosal graft, and augmented anterior urethroplasty were classified as low complexity, and double buccal mucosal graft, flap, or flap-graft combo were classified as high complexity. Operative time and estimated blood loss were used as surrogates of surgical complexity. RESULTS: Mean U-score for low-complexity surgeries was 5.2 and for high complexity surgeries was 7.3. Factors that were associated with high-complexity repairs included stricture etiology (trauma or idiopathic or iatrogenic vs inflammatory or hypospadias; P ≤.0001), number (1 vs. >1; P = .003), location (penile vs. bulbar; P <.001), and length (<2 vs. 2-5 vs. >5 cm; P <.001). Increasing U-score correlated with increasing surgical complexity (P ≤.0001). A linear relationship between U-score and operative time was observed (P = .0018). U-score did not correlate with estimated blood loss (P = .82). Among the validation data set, etiology (P = .0014), location (P ≤.0001), stricture length (P ≤.0001), and overall U-score (P ≤.0001) correlated with surgical complexity. CONCLUSION: The U-score is a validated scale to describe the complexity of anterior urethral strictures that correlates with surgical time and complexity of procedure.

Are HIV-infected men vulnerable to prostate cancer treatment disparities?

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected (HIV(+)) men face cancer treatment disparities that impact outcome. Prostate cancer treatment and treatment appropriateness in HIV(+) men are unknown. METHODS: We used electronic chart review to conduct a retrospective cohort study of 43 HIV(+) cases with prostate cancer and 86 age- and race-matched HIV-uninfected (HIV(-)) controls with prostate cancer, ages 40 to 79 years, from 2001 to 2012. We defined treatment appropriateness using National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) to estimate life expectancy. RESULTS: Median age was 59.5 years at prostate cancer diagnosis. Median CD4(+) T-cell count was 459.5 cells/mm(3), 95.3% received antiretroviral therapy, and 87.1% were virally suppressed. Radical prostatectomy was the primary treatment for 39.5% of HIV(+) and 71.0% of HIV(-) men (P = 0.004). Only 16.3% of HIV(+) versus 57.0% of HIV(-) men received open radical prostatectomy (P < 0.001). HIV(+) men received more radiotherapy (25.6% vs. 16.3%, P = 0.13). HIV was negatively associated with open radical prostatectomy (OR = 0.03, P = 0.007), adjusting for insurance and CCI. No men were undertreated. Fewer HIV(+) men received appropriate treatment (89.2% vs. 100%, P = 0.003), due to four overtreated HIV(+) men. Excluding AIDS from the CCI still resulted in fewer HIV(+) men receiving appropriate treatment (94.6% vs. 100%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Prostate cancer in HIV(+) men is largely appropriately treated. Under- or overtreatment may occur from difficulties in life expectancy estimation. HIV(+) men may receive more radiotherapy and fewer radical prostatectomies, specifically open radical prostatectomies. IMPACT: Research on HIV/AIDS survival indices and etiologies and outcomes of this prostate cancer treatment disparity in HIV(+) men are needed.

Sounds and Charrière: the rest of the story.

Parisian cutler Joseph-Frédéric-Benoît Charrière (1803-1876) contributed greatly to surgical disciplines with innovative tools, but his legacy is the gauge system he developed in 1842 that is still used for catheters, probes, and dilators. Sounding devices have been documented in the surgical armamentarium since 3000 BC, with practitioners such as Hippocrates, Galen, Celsus, and Al-Zahrawi espousing theories on sounding and the related topics of stones and urinary obstruction. The medical revolution in 19th-century Paris propelled technology and one of the most influential men involved was Charrière, who pioneered diverse technical processes in the manufacturing of surgical instruments, led one of the largest instrument manufacturing companies, and improved on tools introduced by predecessors including his mentor Guillaume Dupuytren. Most importantly he created the catheter scale that, despite not being favored in its country of origin, became an international standard and is known today as the French system. The classification of sounds, catheters, and bougies has undergone many variations throughout the years, but the French scale still holds in current medical practice as an accurate and nearly universal sizing tool.