Influence of androgen deprivation therapy on the severity of COVID-19 in prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The TMPRSS2 protein has been involved in severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The production is regulated by the androgen receptor (AR). It is speculated that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may protect patients affected by prostate cancer (PC) from SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients treated for COVID-19 in our institution who had a previous diagnosis of PC. We analyzed the influence of exposure of ADT on the presence of severe course of COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 2280 patients were treated in our center for COVID-19 with a worse course of disease in males (higher rates of hospitalization, intense care unit [ICU] admission, and death). Out of 1349 subjects registered in our PC database, 156 were on ADT and 1193 were not. Out of those, 61 (4.52%) PC patients suffered from COVID-19, 11 (18.0%) belonged to the ADT group, and 50 (82.0%) to the non-ADT group. Regarding the influence of ADT on the course of the disease, statistically significant differences were found neither in the death rate (27.3% vs. 34%; p = 0.481), nor in the presence of severe COVID-19: need for intubation or ICU admission (0% vs. 6.3%; p = 0.561) and need for corticoid treatment, interferon beta, or tocilizumab (60% vs. 34.7%; p = 0.128). Multivariate analysis adjusted for clinically relevant comorbidities did not find that ADT was a protective factor for worse clinical evolution (risk ratio [RR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-1.83; p = 0.77) or death (RR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.26-1.74; p = 0.41). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that COVID-19 is more severe in men. However, the use of ADT in patients with PC was not shown to prevent the risk of severe COVID-19.

[Healthcare-associated urinary tract infections in patients with a urinary catheter: Risk factors, microbiological characteristics and patterns of antibiotic resistance]. / INFECCIONES DEL TRACTO URINARIO DE ORIGEN HOSPITALARIO EN PACIENTES PORTADORES DE CATÉTER URINARIO: FACTORES DE RIESGO, CARACTERÍSTICAS MICROBIOLÓGICAS Y RESISTENCIAS A ANTIBIÓTICOS.

OBJECTIVE: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most common nosocomial acquired infections, with high resistance rates. CAUTIs are a potentially severe complication in hospitalized patients and imply higher costs. Our aim was to analyze the characteristics of CAUTIs in our Urology department. METHODS: Between November 2011 and October 2013, a prospective observational study was carried out analyzing the incidence of healthcare-associated urinary tract infections in patients admitted to the urology ward with an indwelling urinary catheter. Furthermore, we evaluated associated risks factors and comorbidities such as urinary catheter at the time of admission or urological surgery during the hospitalization. We also presented our results regarding the microbiological characteristics and patterns of resistance to antibiotics in patients with CAUTI admitted in our service. RESULTS: The incidence of CAUTI was 8.2% (189/2283 patients who had urinary catheter). Mean age was 67.4±14.26 years, 90.2% underwent a surgical procedure (p<0.001), 14.8% had a urinary stone (p=0.058) and 46% had a urinary catheter before admission (p<0.001). The most commonly isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli (22.6%), Enterococcus (21.9%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.9%). E.coli showed resistance rates of 41.9% for quinolones, 33.3% of them produced extended spectrum Β-lactamase (ESBL). P.aeruginosa showed resistance rates of 42.1% for quinolones and 21.1% for carbapenems. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare-associated CAUTI in patients hospitalized in a urology ward are related to risks factors such as having a urinary catheter before admission and undergoing a surgical procedure. Moreover, CAUTIs have higher incidence of pathogens with antibiotic resistances and non-common pathogens such as Enterococcus spp.

Survey of satisfaction in hospitalized patients at a urology department.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of satisfaction with the care provided to hospitalized patients in the Department of Urology at 12 de Octubre Hospital and analyze demographic and clinical factors influencing satisfaction. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out using the SERVQHOS questionnaire, delivered at the time of discharge. A data sheet for each patient was collected, which included if they undergone surgery, type of surgery and whether or not presented postoperative complications, rated by the Clavien scale. RESULTS: 479 surveys were collected, with a participation of 92%. 95.4% of patients rated their overall level of satisfaction with the care received as "satisfied" or "very satisfied". Top-rated aspects were the kindness of the staff and personalized attention. The worst rated issue was the condition of the rooms, but this did not influence perceived quality. Variables related to greater overall satisfaction were male gender, shorter hospital stay, knowing the name of the nurse, the information received and subjective factors such as personalized service and willingness to help. CONCLUSIONS: Our patients show a high level of satisfaction, which is mainly dependent on subjective factors. The negative issues related to the facilities do not mean lower satisfaction.

Evaluation of current errors within the administration of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors after more than 10 years of use.

OBJECTIVE: To detect current errors within the administration of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5is) and evaluate and elucidate what percentage of patients could be recovered for oral therapy with different subtypes of PDE5is through a re-education program. METHODS: Two hundred fifty patients remitted to the andrology unit were prospectively analyzed. Patients' chief complaint was erectile dysfunction despite treatment with PDE5i. The International Index of Erectile Function was used to measure erectile function. A structured interview was developed to evaluate the most frequent errors within the administration of PDE5is. A re-education program was offered to patients with incomplete or incorrect use of PDE5is according to the structured interview, classifying them into true nonresponders or false nonresponders. Finally, the percentage of patients who could be recovered for oral therapy with other PDE5is was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 172 patients (69%) presented some error within drug administration. The most common error was not trying >1 PDE5i (41%). A re-education program was offered to these nonresponders, and 115 (66.9%) accepted. Up to 27 (23.5%) did not respond to the re-education program and were classified as true nonresponders, whereas 88 (76.5%) had a positive response to treatment and were thus included in the false nonresponder group. CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of patients remitted to our andrology unit and cataloged as nonresponders were in fact using PDE5i in suboptimal conditions. Offering patients more accurate information provided almost 76% with good results using PDE5is and could therefore be successfully treated with these drugs.

Healthcare-associated infections in a department of urology: incidence and patterns of antibiotic resistance.

OBJECTIVE: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) constitute a potentially severe complication which implies higher costs. A full knowledge of their microbiological characteristics and risk factors is of paramount importance for adequate management. The purpose of this study was to carry out an analysis of HAIs in patients admitted to a department of urology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between November 2011 and October 2012, a prospective observational study was carried out analysing HAIs in patients admitted to the urology department of a tertiary care university hospital in Spain, reviewing the incidence and types of HAIs, the microorganisms isolated and patterns of resistance to antibiotics. Risk factors for HAIs were also evaluated. RESULTS: HAIs were seen in 110 (6.5%) out of 1701 patients. Hypertension, a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and surgery showed a statistical association with a higher risk of HAIs, and patients who underwent radical cystectomy had a high incidence of HAIs (10 out of 14). The most common HAIs were urinary tract infections (66.1%), followed by surgical site infections (16.5%), intra-abdominal abscesses (10.4%) and venous catheter-associated bacteraemia (6.1%). The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Escherichia coli (31.8%), then Enterococcus (17.6%) and Pseudomonas (12.9%). Escherichia coli showed resistance rates of 48.1% for ampicillin/amoxicillin plus ß-lactamase inhibitor, 51.9% for fluoroquinolones, and 33.3% were extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing E. coli. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed a resistance rate of 36.4% for fluoroquinolones and carbapenems. CONCLUSIONS: HAIs usually occur in patients with risk factors. Radical cystectomy is associated with a high incidence of HAIs. Microorganisms associated with HAIs show high rates of resistance, which must be taken into account when selecting appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Ischemic Gangrene of the Glans following Penile Prosthesis Implantation.

The development of ischemic gangrene of the penis following implantation of prosthesis is unusual, and very few cases are available in the literature. As a result, no established treatment protocol is available. We report our experience within a case of gangrene of the glans following implantation of a three-component prosthesis. We present a 53-year-old male, smoker with diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, who underwent surgery for the insertion of a penile prosthesis with 3 components to correct his erectile dysfunction and severe Peyronie's disease. The procedure was carried out without incidents. During the postoperative period, the patient began to complain from penile and perineal pain. He developed avascular necrosis of the glans. The necrosed area was excised. Four weeks later, he developed fever and perineal pain arriving to the emergency room with the prosthesis extruding through the glans. He had emergency surgery to remove the prosthesis plus surgical lavage and was prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. Four weeks later, the penis was completely revascularized and reepithelialized. Ischemic gangrene following penile prosthesis implantation takes place in patients with poor peripheral vascularisation. Diabetes mellitus has been the common denominator to all of the reported cases.