Tadalafil - a therapeutic option in the management of BPH-LUTS.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Men with signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may experience lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as urinary frequency, urgency, intermittence, nocturia, straining, incomplete emptying or a weak urinary stream. The effective management of LUTS suggestive of BPH (BPH-LUTS) requires careful consideration of several factors, including the severity of a patient's symptoms, concurrent or other coexisting medical conditions, the ability to improve symptoms and impact quality of life (QOL), as well as the potential side effects of available treatment options. Several clinical studies have assessed phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors in reducing LUTS; however, tadalafil is the only PDE5 inhibitor approved for the treatment of signs and symptoms of BPH, as well as in men with both erectile dysfunction (ED) and the signs and symptoms of BPH. This review examined articles that assessed tadalafil in patients with signs and symptoms of BPH, with or without erectile dysfunction (ED), which led to regulatory approval in the United States and Europe. RESULTS: In dose-ranging and confirmatory studies, results demonstrate that tadalafil significantly improved total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) following 12 weeks of treatment with once daily tadalafil 5 mg. Statistically significant improvements in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (BII), IPSS subscores, IPSS QOL and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were also observed. Improvement in urinary symptoms occurred regardless of age, previous treatment with an α1 -adrenergic blocker, BPH-LUTS severity at baseline or ED status. CONCLUSIONS: While tadalafil is most frequently recognised as a standard treatment option for men with ED, it also represents a well-tolerated and effective treatment option in men with moderate to severe BPH-LUTS.

The assessment of vascular risk in men with erectile dysfunction: the role of the cardiologist and general physician.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share risk factors and frequently coexist, with endothelial dysfunction believed to be the pathophysiologic link. ED is common, affecting more than 70% of men with known CVD. In addition, clinical studies have demonstrated that ED in men with no known CVD often precedes a CVD event by 2-5 years. ED severity has been correlated with increasing plaque burden in patients with coronary artery disease. ED is an independent marker of increased CVD risk including all-cause and especially CVD mortality, particularly in men aged 30-60 years. Thus, ED identifies a window of opportunity for CVD risk mitigation. We recommend that a thorough history, physical exam (including visceral adiposity), assessment of ED severity and duration and evaluation including fasting plasma glucose, lipids, resting electrocardiogram, family history, lifestyle factors, serum creatinine (estimated glomerular filtration rate) and albumin:creatinine ratio, and determination of the presence or absence of the metabolic syndrome be performed to characterise cardiovascular risk in all men with ED. Assessment of testosterone levels should also be considered and biomarkers may help to further quantify risk, even though their roles in development of CVD have not been firmly established. Finally, we recommend that a question about ED be included in assessment of CVD risk in all men and be added to CVD risk assessment guidelines.

Readability, credibility and quality of patient information for hypogonadism and testosterone replacement therapy on the Internet.

The incidence of hypogonadism and use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) are rising, while data evaluating the complexity and quality of health-care information available to patients on the Internet for hypogonadism or TRT are lacking. This study focuses on characterizing the readability, credibility and quality of patient-centered information for hypogonadism on the Internet. A Google search was performed to identify top-ranked websites offering patient-centered information on hypogonadism and TRT. Readability was quantified by reading grade level using several validated instruments. Credibility and quality were determined by several additional criteria, including authorship, references, health-care information quality certification and breadth of topic discussion. Twenty of 75 total sites identified (27%) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were evaluated. The mean reading grade level was 13.1 (interquartile range 11.7-15.1), with all websites demonstrating reading levels significantly above recommended levels. Less than half (45%) of the sites were neither authored nor reviewed by a physician, 60% contained at least one reference and 40% were certified for displaying quality health-care information. Over half (55%) did not comprehensively discuss management of hypogonadism or mention treatment-associated risks. In conclusion, the majority of patient-centered information available on the Internet regarding hypogonadism or TRT is of poor quality and too complex for the average patient to comprehend. These results highlight a critical shortage in easily accessible, high-quality, comprehensible online patient health-care information on hypogonadism and TRT.

Tramadol for the management of premature ejaculation: a timely systematic review.

Premature ejaculation (PE) represents a common sexual dysfunction and is associated with a negative impact on quality of life and relationships. Recent evidence suggests that on-demand dosing of tramadol is effective at increasing intra-vaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and improving subjective measures of satisfaction. A literature review was performed of journal articles published between January 2000 and July 2014 that matched the keywords 'tramadol' and 'premature ejaculation'. We identified eight relevant articles with the criteria that each article be published in a peer-reviewed journal, represent original work and be written in English. IELT was used as the primary outcome in each of the papers reviewed for efficacy. Additional subjective outcome measures were reviewed where available. Safety was assessed using adverse event data from the individual studies. We found that tramadol in on-demand dosing is effective at lengthening IELT in men with varying degrees of PE and improves patient satisfaction. Tramadol was generally well tolerated, particularly among those taking 25 and 50 mg doses. Although there is a risk of abuse and dependence, these events are rare, particularly at low doses taken intermittently. In conclusion, tramadol is an effective oral therapy for PE that is overall safe and well tolerated.

Peyronie's disease is associated with Paget's disease of bone.

Peyronie's disease is an idiopathic disorder in which an inflammatory fibrosis occurs in the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa which causes the erect penis to become deformed. Peyronie's disease has a prevalence of 1% in men over age 50 years. Paget's disease of bone is a chronic skeletal disease with areas of increased bone turnover leading to pain, deformity, and in some cases arthritis. Because of a high rate of Peyronie's disease in subjects in a Paget's disease industry-sponsored drug trial, we asked whether there was an association between Peyronie's disease and Paget's disease of bone. We evaluated 61 men with Paget's disease attending our clinic for metabolic bone disease in a tertiary referral hospital, reviewed hospital records of all men discharged from our three hospitals with the diagnosis of Peyronie's disease, and mailed a validated questionnaire about shape of the erect penis to 1500 male members of the Paget Foundation. In the clinic population of men with Paget's disease of bone, 51 of 61 (83.6%) reported having normal erections; 10 patients (16.4%) were impotent. Sixteen of the 51 men (31.4%) had developed a bend or deformity in their erect penis which was confirmed by a urologist's examination to be Peyronie's disease. When the men with Paget's disease with and without Peyronie's disease were compared, there was no difference in their ages, years with Paget's disease, or serum alkaline phosphatase level. Upon medical record review, 1 patient of 262 (0.4%) with Peyronie's disease was found to have Paget's disease of bone. The men with Paget's disease returned their questionnaires for a response rate of 44.8% and reported Peyronie's disease with a prevalence of 14.5%. We suggest that Peyronie's disease is associated with Paget's disease of bone. Furthermore, we suggest that Peyronie's disease may be a previously unrecognized complication of Paget's disease of bone.

Overview of first-line amikacin therapy for urologic infections.

Severe infections in urologic patients are frequently and effectively treated with aminoglycoside medications. Because of the frequency of nosocomial gram-negative infections in urologic patients, antimicrobial therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as aminoglycosides, is an integral part of management of urinary infections. Amikacin, because of its activity against infections caused by Pseudomonas, Serratia, and other frequently resistant bacteria, as well as its ability to achieve high blood and tissue levels, provides a significant advantage over other aminoglycoside agents in hospitalized urologic patients with suspected nosocomial infections. Although amikacin remains the most expensive of the aminoglycoside agents, its use is prudent in infections in which the causative organism is suspected but not definitively identified and when treatment must be started before specific culture and sensitivity information is available. In these situations, the most potent antibiotic agent with the broadest spectrum for eliminating infections caused by suspect organisms must be chosen, and amikacin is an ideal choice.

Inflatable penile prosthesis cylinder failure after internal urethrotomy.

Transurethral direct vision internal urethrotomy can be performed safely in the presence of an inflatable penile prosthesis with several caveats. A case of prosthesis cylinder rupture by urethrotome is reviewed.

Rectal ejaculation and prostatic carcinoma.

A case of carcinoma of the prostate causing fistulous communication between the rectum and the prostatic ducts is presented. The patient's initial symptoms included gradual onset of inability to ejaculate and the complaint of ejaculation per rectum. Appropriate urologic studies demonstrated a fistulous connection between the area of the ejaculatory duct and the rectum. Microscopic studies of rectal discharge confirmed that semen was exiting through his rectum. All genitourinary symptoms in patients with carcinoma of the prostate warrant thorough investigation.

Oat cell carcinoma of lung masquerading as prostatic carcinoma.

We believe this is the second case of oat cell carcinoma metastatic to the prostate to be reported. The patient was treated for prostatic carcinoma diagnosed by rectal examination. Subsequent biopsy confirmed oat cell carcinoma and led to the discovery of pulmonary carcinoma. Tumors metastatic to the prostate are rare and are identified when they result in urologic symptoms. A review of tumors metastatic to the prostate is presented.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in renal transplant recipient.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is reported in the native kidney of a renal allograft recipient. Immunoglobulin deposition in the transplant kidney in the absence of cell-mediated rejection, accompanied by selective cultures showing Escherichia coli from the native kidney, led to the diagnosis. Native nephrectomy resulted in resolution of the patient's chronic bacteriuria and creatinine elevation.

Cardiac arrhythmias with external fixed-rate signal generators in shock wave lithotripsy with the Medstone lithotripter.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence and outcome of cardiac arrhythmias associated with an external fixed-rate generator and the Medstone lithotripter with regard to stone location, anesthesia type, patient age, and gender. METHODS: Data were obtained on 933 patients who underwent shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) with the Medstone lithotripter. Patients were randomly divided into two study groups, including those with pre-existing cardiac disease, hypertension, and cardiac medications. Group 1 (576 patients) were treated with the external fixed-rate signal generator (cardiac simulator). Group 2 (357 patients) underwent electrocardiogram-gated SWL (no simulator). All patients were monitored for arrhythmias during SWL. Patients who developed arrhythmias on the simulator were converted to gated SWL. RESULTS: In group 1, 463 patients (80%) had no arrhythmias during treatment, whereas 113 patients (20%) developed cardiac arrhythmias (primarily premature ventricular contractions [PVCs]) and were successfully converted to gated SWL. Only 1 patient in group 2 (0.3%) had a documented arrhythmia (PVC). Group 1 patients who developed arrhythmias with a cardiac simulator were more likely to have renal rather than ureteral stones. Chi-square analysis showed a significant correlation between patients with and without arrhythmias in group 1 with regard to stone location (P <0.0001). In group 1, regional anesthesia, intravenous anesthesia, and general anesthesia had an arrhythmia rate of 14%, 27%, and 38%, respectively. The only patient in group 2 who developed arrhythmias was under general anesthesia. The differences between groups 1 and 2, with regard to anesthesia type and arrhythmia, were statistically significant (P <0.001). No patients required additional medical therapy or hospitalization for cardiac events, and all patients safely completed the SWL treatment. CONCLUSIONS: With careful monitoring and adequate precautions, external fixed-rate signal generators are safe, effective methods for pacing the Medstone shock wave lithotripter and probably other extracorporeal shock wave lithotripters.

Bacterial prostatitis caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Staphylococcus saprophyticus has been shown to be an important uropathogen in urinary tract infections in young women. Thirty-five isolates from 27 patients with staphylococci in the prostatic fluid of men with bacterial prostatitis were evaluated for the presence of S. saprophyticus. Three patients (11 per cent) with this organism were identified by novobiocin resistance (disk diffusion test), absence of hemolysis, and coagulase. These patients tended to be younger, more symptomatic, and more responsive to appropriate antibiotic therapy than those with staphylococcus epidermidis. S. saprophyticus appears to be an important pathogen in prostatic infections.

Inflatable penile prosthesis: effect of device modification on functional longevity.

The Scott inflatable penile prosthesis has undergone a continual evolution since its introduction in 1973. A review of 266 patients at Duke University Medical Center who received primary implantation of AMS inflatable penile prostheses from 1979 to 1988 revealed the modifications in the prosthesis have increased the functional longevity and hence the reliability of this surgical treatment for erectile impotence.

Results and morbidity of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy.

The medical records of the first 210 patients treated with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy at Duke University Medical Center were reviewed. Eleven patients were treated for bilateral stones for a total of 221 renal units. The procedure failed in 6 patients (2.7%). Stone fragments were retained in 55 patients (24.9%), with unplanned fragments in 41 cases (18.6%). Open surgery was subsequently performed in 4 patients (1.8%). There were no nephrectomies or deaths in our patients. Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy is a highly successful method for removal of upper tract stones and has a complication rate no higher than that of open surgical procedures.

Endoureteropyelotomy in adults. Review of procedure and results.

We report on 17 adult patients who underwent antegrade endoureteropyelotomy for primary (7) and secondary (10) ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Complications were limited to failure to relieve the obstruction, which occurred in 2 patients (12%) requiring a subsequent open pyeloplasty. The two failures were due to high insertion of the ureter in one, and lower renal pole vessel in the other case. A new endoureteropyelotomy stent was developed to enhance healing and patient comfort. No failures occurred due to technical difficulties.

Squamous carcinoma of urinary bladder.

The clinical course of 56 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder and poorly differentiated transitional cell carcinoma with squamous metaplasia were compared. Survival was evaluated to compare treatments and biologic potentials of these neoplasms. Squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder behaves as poorly differentiated transitional cell carcinoma with squamous metaplasia, and survival is significantly poorer than in poorly differentiated transitional cell carcinoma. While survivals are limited, only radical, surgical extirpation can be associated with significant patient salvage.

Modified Johnson basket for antegrade stone extraction.

A modification of a classic Johnson stone basket has been made, such that this basket can pass easily over an angiographic guide wire. With this modification, the Johnson stone basket is an excellent instrument for use in an antegrade or a retrograde fashion for retrieving impacted ureteral calculi. Eleven patients had ureteral calculi manipulated. Of the six ureteral calculi manipulated with standard retractable baskets, only three were successfully extracted from impacted positions. Of the five manipulated with the modified Johnson stone basket, however, four were successfully extracted. The modified Johnson stone basket is an essential instrument in percutaneous manipulation of ureteral calculi.

Evaluation of women with chronic voiding discomfort.

Many investigators have focused on the female urethral syndrome and its causes. The origin remains enigmatic, but the benign course of this condition is well established. We evaluated 105 patients with urethral syndrome and analyzed the necessity for a complex urologic workup. The lack of significant findings on these studies suggests that the cost effectiveness of radiographic and invasive studies cannot justify their continued use.

Priapism: etiology, treatment, and results in series of 35 presentations.

Of 35 cases of priapism a successful outcome with detumescence of the erection and preservation of potency was achieved in only 6 instances. Patients with sickle cell disease enjoyed a more optimistic outcome, and early presentation appeared to be the key factor. The different therapeutic approaches did not have great impact on the outcome, and we advise an initial conservative approach progressing to glans-cavernosa fistula creation and subsequently to cavernosum-spongiosum shunting for patients failing to respond.

Implantation of penile prostheses in patients impotent after priapism.

Review of recent implantations of penile prostheses done at Duke University Medical Center reveals 6 patients implanted for impotence secondary to priapism. Of these 6 patients, 5 had sickle cell anemia-induced priapism and 1 had idiopathic priapism. One patient had implantation of an inflatable prosthesis later followed by a semirigid prosthesis, 3 had implantation of a semirigid prosthesis, and 1 had an unsuccessful attempt at implantation of a semirigid prosthesis. The 5 patients with successful implantation have obtained satisfactory postoperative coital function. We believe that penile prostheses are beneficial in patients with impotence secondary to priapism. The degree of fibrosis encountered suggests that a semirigid prosthesis is more favorable, since the inflatable prosthesis may not overcome corporeal rigidity.