The Response of the Urinary Microbiome to Botox.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our objective was to evaluate if botox alters the urinary microbiome of patients with overactive bladder and whether this alteration is predictive of treatment response. METHODS: This multicenter prospective cohort study included 18-89-year-old patients undergoing treatment for overactive bladder with 100 units of botox. Urine samples were collected by straight catheterization on the day of the procedure (S1) and again 4 weeks later (S2). Participants completed the Patient Global Impression of Improvement form at their second visit for dichotomization into responders and nonresponders. The microbiome was sequenced using 16s rRNA sequencing. Wilcoxon signed rank and Wilcoxon rank sum were used to compare the microbiome, whereas chi-square, Wilcoxon rank sum, and the independent t-test were utilized for clinical data. RESULTS: Sixty-eight participants were included in the analysis. The mean relative abundance and prevalence of Beauveria bassiana, Xerocomus chrysenteron, Crinipellis zonata, and Micrococcus luteus were all found to increase between S1 and S2 in responders; whereas in nonresponders the mean relative abundance and prevalence of Pseudomonas fragi were found to decrease. The MRA and prevalence of Weissella cibaria, Acinetobacter johnsonii, and Acinetobacter schindleri were found to be greater in responders than nonresponders at the time of S1. Significant UM differences in the S1 of patients who did (n = 5) and did not go on to develop a post-treatment UTI were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal urobiome differences may exist between patients who do and do not respond to botox.

Development of a machine learning-based predictive model for prediction of success or failure of medical management for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a novel predictive model for identifying patients who will and will not respond to the medical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Using data from the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS) study, several models were constructed using an initial data set of 2172 patients with BPH who were treated with doxazosin (Group 1), finasteride (Group 2), and combination therapy (Group 3). K-fold stratified cross-validation was performed on each group, Within each group, feature selection and dimensionality reduction using nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) were performed based on the training data, before several machine learning algorithms were tested; the most accurate models, boosted support vector machines (SVMs), being selected for further refinement. The area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) was calculated and used to determine the optimal operating points. Patients were classified as treatment failures or responders, based on whether they fell below or above the AUC threshold for each group and for the whole data set. RESULTS: For the entire cohort, the AUC for the boosted SVM model was 0.698. For patients in Group 1, the AUC was 0.729, for Group 2, the AUC was 0.719, and for Group 3, the AUC was 0.698. CONCLUSION: Using MTOPS data, we were able to develop a prediction model with an acceptable rate of discrimination of medical management success for BPH.

Dipstick urinalysis does not predict post-urodynamic study morbidity.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Pre-procedure urinalysis may add unnecessary cost and inconvenience for patients undergoing urodynamics. The hypothesis of this study was that urinalysis would perform poorly when predicting complications following urodynamics. METHODS: Case-control study of women aged 18-89 undergoing urodynamics from 01 January2008 to 31 December 2017 at two tertiary medical centers. Data collected included patient demographics, past medical history, lower urinary tract symptoms, urodynamics indication, urodynamics results, urinalysis result, antibiotic administration, and adverse events within 30 days. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare those with and without an adverse event. Logistic regression was performed using statistically significant variables on pairwise analysis. RESULTS: A total of 601 patients met the criteria; 11 of these experienced an adverse event, of which all were a urinary tract infection. There were no differences in the frequency of adverse events based on any urinalysis result, regardless of whether the patient received antibiotics. On pairwise analysis, variables associated with a higher frequency of adverse events were higher parity (3.5 (2-5) vs 2 (2, 3), p=0.038) and complaint of suprapubic pain (1 (9.1%) vs 4 (0.7%), p=0.002). On logistic regression, significant variables included increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.03 per year (95% CI 1.03-4.06); p=0.002), any prolapse (aOR 6.45 (95% CI 3.60-11.54); p<0.001), pelvic organ prolapse as the indication for urodynamics (aOR 7.27 (95% CI 2.60-20.36); p<0.001), and a diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence (4.98 (95% CI 1.95-12.67); p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The frequency of adverse events after urodynamics is low, and urinalysis in asymptomatic patients does not seem to be useful in predicting morbidity.

Opioid use following pelvic reconstructive surgery: a predictive calculator.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our objective was to evaluate the amount of opioids used by patients undergoing surgery for pelvic floor disorders and identify risk factors for opioid consumption greater than the median. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of 18- to 89-year-old women undergoing major urogynecological surgery between 1 November2020 and 15 October 2021. Subjects completed one preoperative questionnaire ("questionnaire 1") that surveyed factors expected to influence postoperative pain and opioid use. At approximately 1 and 2 weeks following surgery, patients completed two additional questionnaires ("questionnaire 2" and "questionnaire 3") about their pain scores and opioid use. Risk factors for opioid use greater than the median were assessed. Finally, a calculator was created to predict the amount of opioid used at 1 week following surgery. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety patients were included. The median amount of milligram morphine equivalents prescribed was 100 (IQR 100-120), whereas the median amount used by questionnaire 2 was 15 (IQR 0-50) and by questionnaire 3 was 20 (IQR 0-75). On multivariate logistic regression, longer operative time (aOR 1.64 per hour of operative time, 95% CI 1.07-2.58) was associated with using greater than the median opioid consumption at the time of questionnaire 2; whereas for questionnaire 3, a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (aOR=16.9, 95% CI 2.24-362.9) was associated. A preliminary calculator was created using the information collected through questionnaires and chart review. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing surgery for pelvic floor disorders use far fewer opioids than they are prescribed.

Does gabapentin impact response to anticholinergics for overactive bladder?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: It is unknown whether gabapentin modulates the therapeutic effect of anticholinergics (AC) in patients with overactive bladder. We hypothesized that pre-existing gabapentin use would improve response rates in these patients. METHODS: Female patients treated with AC between 2010-2018 were identified. Data were collected on gabapentin use, indication, dose and duration of use as well as demographic and clinical characteristics. Patients were stratified by those that only took AC and those that took both AC and gabapentin ("combination therapy"). Response was determined through chart review. Descriptive statistics were expressed as medians and interquartile ranges (IQR). Pairwise analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank-sum. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent variables predicting response. A subgroup analysis was performed in patients with chronic pain disorders. RESULTS: Seven hundred fifty-six subjects met all criteria; 16.5% (n = 125) were on combination therapy. Those taking gabapentin were more likely to have chronic (49.6% vs. 22.5%, p < 0.001) or neuropathic pain (25.6% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.001) and to use narcotics (41.6% vs. 15.5%, p < 0.001). Patients taking combination therapy were not more likely to improve compared to patients taking AC alone (41.6% vs. 47.7%, p = 0.211), which persisted after adjusting for confounders (aOR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.63-1.65). In the 182 patients with chronic pain, those receiving combination therapy were more likely to respond than those taking AC alone (35.2% vs. 21.9%, p = 0.0015), although this did not persist after adjusting for confounders (aOR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.70-1.90). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-existing gabapentin use does not seem to influence response to AC in patients with overactive bladder.

Abdominal and vaginal pelvic support with concomitant hysterectomy for uterovaginal pelvic prolapse: a comparative systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: While approximately 225,000 pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgeries are performed annually in the US, there is no consensus on the optimal route for pelvic support for the initial treatment of uterovaginal prolapse (UVP). Our objective is to compare the outcomes of abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) to vaginal pelvic support (VPS) with either uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) or sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSF) in combination with hysterectomy for treating apical prolapse. METHODS: A systematic search was performed through March 2021. Studies comparing ASC with VPS for treatment of UVP were included in the review. The primary outcome was the rate of overall anatomic prolapse failure per studies' definition. Secondary outcomes included evaluating isolated recurrent vaginal wall prolapse, postoperative POP-Q points, total vaginal length (TVL), and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) scores. Random effect analyses were generated utilizing R 4.0.2. RESULTS: Out of 4225 total studies, 4 met our inclusion criteria, including 226 patients in the ASC group and 199 patients in the VPS group. ASC was not found to be associated with a higher rate of vaginal wall prolapse recurrence (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.2-2.4; P = 0.33). There was no significant difference between groups for anterior or apical vaginal wall prolapse recurrence (P = 0.58 and P = 0.97, respectively). ASC was associated with significantly longer TVL (mean difference [MD]: 1.01; 95% CI = 0.33-1.70; P = 0.02) and better POP-Q Ba scores [MD = -0.23; 95% CI = -0.37; -0.10; P = 0.01]. CONCLUSIONS: ASC and vaginal pelvic support (either USLS or SSF) have comparable anatomical outcomes. However, weak evidence of a difference in TVL and Ba was found. The strength of the evidence in this study is based on the small number of observational studies. A large, randomized trial is highly warranted.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes After Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy or Total Vaginal Hysterectomy for Large Uteri.

OBJECTIVE: To compare surgical outcomes between total laparoscopic hysterectomy and total vaginal hysterectomy with uterine weight greater than 250 g. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from American College of Surgeons' National Quality Improvement Project Hysterectomy Specific Database. Women with uterine weight greater than 250 g undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications by total laparoscopic hysterectomy or total vaginal hysterectomy were matched by propensity scores, which were calculated using preoperative characteristics and uterine weight. Total vaginal hysterectomy was matched to total laparoscopic hysterectomy at a ratio of 1:2. Pairwise analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank-sum and Fisher exact tests as appropriate. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the independent effect of total vaginal hysterectomy on surgical outcomes. RESULTS: There were 1,870 total vaginal hysterectomies that were matched to 3,740 total laparoscopic hysterectomies. No differences in preoperative demographics and comorbidities were seen for the patients. Uterine weight was similar for both groups: 376 g (interquartile range 293-501) for total vaginal hysterectomy and 384 g (interquartile range 302-515) for total laparoscopic hysterectomy (odds ratio [OR] 0.98, 95% CI 0.92-1.09). The rate of composite major complications was similar between total vaginal hysterectomy and total laparoscopic hysterectomy (4.3% vs 5.3%, OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.61-1.05). Intraoperative cystotomies were higher with total vaginal hysterectomy (0.8% vs 0.3%, OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.17-6.61), and ureteral injuries were more common with total laparoscopic hysterectomy (1.2% vs 0.2%, OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02-0.38). Total vaginal hysterectomy operating time was significantly shorter compared with total laparoscopic hysterectomy (77 minutes, interquartile range 56-111 vs 122 minutes, interquartile range 91-164; OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.42-0.89). After adjusting for confounders, total vaginal hysterectomy was not found to be independently associated with major morbidity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.95, 95% CI 0.18-5.11) and was associated with a lower probability of operating times exceeding 2.5 hours (aOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.27-0.43). CONCLUSION: In patients matched by uterine size and preoperative characteristics, total vaginal hysterectomy is not associated with an increased composite risk of major surgical morbidity or other adverse surgical outcomes.

Opioid prescription patterns among urologists as compiled from within Medicare.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate opioid prescribing patterns of urologists across the United States (U.S.) and the District of Columbia (D.C.) using publicly available data from Medicare Part D. Our secondary analysis was to identify any loco-regional trends that may exist within the U.S. METHODS: We queried publicly reported information from the Part D prescriber database, which is compiled from beneficiaries enrolled within the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. Only providers with the specialty description of urologist were included in this study. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2017, a five-year average of 452 901 opioid claims by 9640 urologists - amounting to $5 357 114 USD and comprising 3.78% of all claims made - were identified. The state of Maine featured the highest percentage of opioid claims in relation to all claims (5.81%). West Virginia had the greatest average total opioid claims per provider (90), while Michigan featured the highest average proportion of opioid claims per provider (10.63%). The fewest opioid claims were processed within the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. CONCLUSIONS: A multitude of factors likely contributes to variability between states. Urologists should be increasingly aware of their individual prescription tendencies and use available drug monitoring programs to reduce unnecessary prescriptions, all while providing more targeted and appropriate pain management.

Does prior surgical interventional therapy for BPH affect the oncological or functional outcomes after primary whole-gland prostate cryoablation for localized prostate cancer?

BACKGROUND: To assess whether prior interventional treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) influences oncologic or functional outcomes following primary whole-gland prostate cryoablation. METHODS: Among 3831 men with prostate cancer who underwent primary whole-gland prostate cryoablation, we identified 160 with a history of prior BPH interventional therapy including transurethral needle ablation (n = 6), transurethral microwave thermotherapy (n = 9), or transurethral resection of the prostate (n = 145). Patients with a history of medically treated or unspecified BPH therapy were excluded from the study. Oncological and functional outcomes were compared between men with and without prior BPH interventional therapy. RESULTS: In unadjusted analyses, prior interventional BPH therapy was associated with higher risks of postoperative urinary retention (17.5% vs. 9.6%, p = 0.001) and new-onset urinary incontinence (39.9% vs. 19.4%, p > 0.001) compared with no prior therapy. Interventional BPH therapy was not correlated with the risk of developing a rectourethral fistula (p = 0.84) or new-onset erectile dysfunction (ED) at 12 months (p = 0.08) following surgery. On multivariable regression, prior interventional BPH therapy was associated with increased risk of urinary retention (OR 1.9, 95%, p = 0.015) and new-onset urinary incontinence (OR 2.13, p < 0.001). The estimated 5 years Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.3) in biochemical progression free survival between those who underwent interventional BPH therapy compared with those who did not. Local disease recurrence assessed by post cryoablation positive for-cause prostate biopsy showed no significant difference between the two groups (25.4% vs. 28.7%, p = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Prior interventional BPH therapy did not affect the oncologic outcomes nor did it increase the risk of rectourethral fistula or ED in sexually performing patients prior to cryosurgery. Prior interventional BPH therapy was associated with increased risk of urinary retention and incontinence after primary whole-gland prostate cryoablation for prostate cancer.