The IDENTIFY study: the investigation and detection of urological neoplasia in patients referred with suspected urinary tract cancer - a multicentre observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contemporary prevalence of urinary tract cancer (bladder cancer, upper tract urothelial cancer [UTUC] and renal cancer) in patients referred to secondary care with haematuria, adjusted for established patient risk markers and geographical variation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was an international multicentre prospective observational study. We included patients aged ≥16 years, referred to secondary care with suspected urinary tract cancer. Patients with a known or previous urological malignancy were excluded. We estimated the prevalence of bladder cancer, UTUC, renal cancer and prostate cancer; stratified by age, type of haematuria, sex, and smoking. We used a multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression to adjust cancer prevalence for age, type of haematuria, sex, smoking, hospitals, and countries. RESULTS: Of the 11 059 patients assessed for eligibility, 10 896 were included from 110 hospitals across 26 countries. The overall adjusted cancer prevalence (n = 2257) was 28.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.3-34.1), bladder cancer (n = 1951) 24.7% (95% CI 19.1-30.2), UTUC (n = 128) 1.14% (95% CI 0.77-1.52), renal cancer (n = 107) 1.05% (95% CI 0.80-1.29), and prostate cancer (n = 124) 1.75% (95% CI 1.32-2.18). The odds ratios for patient risk markers in the model for all cancers were: age 1.04 (95% CI 1.03-1.05; P < 0.001), visible haematuria 3.47 (95% CI 2.90-4.15; P < 0.001), male sex 1.30 (95% CI 1.14-1.50; P < 0.001), and smoking 2.70 (95% CI 2.30-3.18; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of cancer prevalence across an international population is required to inform clinical guidelines. We are the first to report urinary tract cancer prevalence across an international population in patients referred to secondary care, adjusted for patient risk markers and geographical variation. Bladder cancer was the most prevalent disease. Visible haematuria was the strongest predictor for urinary tract cancer.

Patient-reported outcomes and urodynamic findings in men with persistent lower urinary tract symptoms following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

AIMS: To evaluate the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and urodynamic findings in men seeking intervention for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in a regional referral center for continence surgery. METHODS: Consecutive men with post-RARP LUTS, who were referred for specialist evaluation and urodynamics between December 2012 and October 2017, were evaluated. Men were invited to complete the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire on Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Long Form (ICIQ-MLUTS) pre-operatively and at 6, 12 and 18 months post-RARP. RESULTS: In total 64/860 (7.4%) men post-RARP were referred for specialist evaluation. There was a significant increase in total ICIQ-MLUTS and bother scores at 6, 12 and 18 months compared with the baseline in these men (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Urodynamics identified 41/64 (64%) had urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) only, 2/64 (3%) had detrusor overactivity (DO) only and 11/64 (17%) had a combination of USI and DO. Of those referred to a continence specialist 29/64 (45%) underwent a continence procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with bothersome LUTS post-RARP have higher baseline ICIQ-MLUTs scores and significant worsening of total scores at all time points compared with the baseline. Routine use of PROMs may identify patients at risk of bothersome symptoms after RARP and prompt earlier referral for further management of their LUTS. Urodynamic evaluation revealed that the most common finding was pure stress incontinence but the range of urodynamic diagnoses highlights the need to perform urodynamics before making treatment decisions for men with LUTS post-RARP.

Defining competency in flexible cystoscopy: a novel approach using cumulative Sum analysis.

BACKGROUND: Flexible cystoscopy (FC) is one of the most frequently performed urological intervention. Cumulative sum analysis (CUSUM) allows objective assessment of a proceduralist's performance to ensure acceptable outcomes. This study investigated the application of CUSUM to assess a trainee's learning curve and maintenance of competence in performing FC. METHODS: A single urology trainee, with no previous experience of FC, performed FCs between August 2013 and February 2014. For assessment FC was divided into 5 steps. Each step was assigned a CUSUM completion score. The primary outcome measure was successful performance of a complete FC. Prospective data were collected and analysed using CUSUM. RESULTS: In total, 419 FCs were performed. Acceptable performance of FC was achieved by the 122(nd) procedure. Complete assessment of the ureteric orifices and trigone was the most difficult step of FC to achieve consistently. Competence for complete FC was achieved following 289 procedures. CONCLUSION: CUSUM analysis objectively assesses acquisition of competence in flexible cystoscopy. Recommended indicative numbers may underestimate the number of FCs trainees require to achieve, and maintain, competency. Validation of CUSUM method in a larger cohort of trainees should be considered.

Managing lower urinary tract symptoms in men.

Male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common and increase in prevalence with age. Up to 90% of men aged 50 to 80 may suffer from troublesome LUTS. Men may attend expressing direct concern about micturition, describing one or more LUTS and the related impact on their quality of life. Frequently men may present for other medical or urological reasons such as concern regarding their risk of having prostate cancer or erectile dysfunction but on taking a history bothersome LUTS are identified. Men may present late in the community with urinary retention: the inability to pass urine. A thorough urological history is essential to inform management. It is important to determine whether men have storage or voiding LUTS or both. All patients must have a systematic comprehensive examination including genitalia and a digital rectal examination. Investigations performed in primary care should be guided by the history and examination findings, taking into account the impact of the LUTS on the individual's quality of life. Current NICE guidelines recommend the following to be performed at initial assessment: frequency volume chart (FVC); urine dipstick to detect blood, glucose, protein, leucocytes and nitrites; and prostate specific antigen. Men should be referred for urological review if they have: bothersome LUTS which have not responded to conservative management or medical therapy; LUTS in association with recurrent or persistent UTIs; urinary retention; renal impairment suspected to be secondary to lower urinary tract dysfunction; or suspected urological malignancy. All patients not meeting criteria for immediate referral to urology can be managed initially in primary care. Based on history, examination and investigation findings an individualised management plan should be formulated. Basic lifestyle advice should be given regarding reduction or avoidance of caffeinated products and alcohol. The FVC should guide advice regarding fluid intake management and all medications should be reviewed.

GPs could play key role in prostate cancer survivorship programmes.

The number of men living with prostate cancer in the UK is predicted to rise from 255,000 to 416,000 in 2020 and 620,000 by 2030. More than 80% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer can expect to survive for at least five years. Up to 87% of men with prostate cancer may have unmet supportive care needs. Patients regularly cite psychological and sexual issues as the most significant. Poor functional outcomes after treatment such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction have a major impact on quality of life. The traditional model of hospital follow-up fails to deliver optimum patient-centred cancer care. Holistic aspects of care such as psychological needs and factors which may facilitate full rehabilitation of patients back into society may be missed. The key elements of a survivorship programme are: education, intervention, surveillance and co-ordination of care. Interventions which may improve immediate care include: structured holistic needs assessment and care planning, treatment summaries and cancer care reviews, patient education and support events and advice about, and access to, physical activity schemes. Urologists and GPs need to collaborate to establish shared care pathways for prostate cancer patients. Elements of these innovative pathways will include clear follow-up protocols for prostate cancer survivors discharged into the community and rapid access arrangements for patients about whom GPs are concerned.

Developing a Diagnostic Multivariable Prediction Model for Urinary Tract Cancer in Patients Referred with Haematuria: Results from the IDENTIFY Collaborative Study.

BACKGROUND: Patient factors associated with urinary tract cancer can be used to risk stratify patients referred with haematuria, prioritising those with a higher risk of cancer for prompt investigation. OBJECTIVE: To develop a prediction model for urinary tract cancer in patients referred with haematuria. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective observational study was conducted in 10 282 patients from 110 hospitals across 26 countries, aged ≥16 yr and referred to secondary care with haematuria. Patients with a known or previous urological malignancy were excluded. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary outcomes were the presence or absence of urinary tract cancer (bladder cancer, upper tract urothelial cancer [UTUC], and renal cancer). Mixed-effect multivariable logistic regression was performed with site and country as random effects and clinically important patient-level candidate predictors, chosen a priori, as fixed effects. Predictors were selected primarily using clinical reasoning, in addition to backward stepwise selection. Calibration and discrimination were calculated, and bootstrap validation was performed to calculate optimism. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The unadjusted prevalence was 17.2% (n = 1763) for bladder cancer, 1.20% (n = 123) for UTUC, and 1.00% (n = 103) for renal cancer. The final model included predictors of increased risk (visible haematuria, age, smoking history, male sex, and family history) and reduced risk (previous haematuria investigations, urinary tract infection, dysuria/suprapubic pain, anticoagulation, catheter use, and previous pelvic radiotherapy). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the final model was 0.86 (95% confidence interval 0.85-0.87). The model is limited to patients without previous urological malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: This cancer prediction model is the first to consider established and novel urinary tract cancer diagnostic markers. It can be used in secondary care for risk stratifying patients and aid the clinician's decision-making process in prioritising patients for investigation. PATIENT SUMMARY: We have developed a tool that uses a person's characteristics to determine the risk of cancer if that person develops blood in the urine (haematuria). This can be used to help prioritise patients for further investigation.

Difference in response to botulinum toxin type A treatment between patients with benign essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin (BTX) is the first-line treatment in managing benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) and hemifacial spasm (HFS). We wished to assess the difference in duration of effect and the number of BTX treatments required to treat patients with BEB and HFS. METHODS: A prospective study of patients attending the BTX clinic in Manchester Royal Eye Hospital over 6 months. All treatments were administered by a single experienced ophthalmologist. A questionnaire was completed for each patient. In patients with BEB where the BTX was injected bilaterally, one side was randomized to compare with HFS patients. Patient demographics, cumulative dose of BTX, duration of BTX effect with patient satisfaction and the number of previous BTX injections were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were included in the study. The mean age was 60.8 years. Among them, 30 patients had BEB and 34 had HFS. Patients with HFS received a lower mean dose of BTX than patients with BEB (12.23 units vs. 16.2 units). The patients with HFS had a longer duration of effect than patients with BEB, with fewer BTX treatments. Of all patients, 90% with HFS and BEB were satisfied with the effect of their last BTX injection. Three unsatisfied patients in the BEB group were referred on for surgical management of their disorder. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that patients with BEB have a shorter duration of effect with BTX and require more frequent BTX treatments than patients with HFS, highlighting that facial dystonias in patients with BEB is more challenging to manage.

Detailed analysis of patient-reported lower urinary tract symptoms and effect on quality of life after robotic radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate short- to medium-term patient-reported lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using validated questionnaires in a large cohort of patients following robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HRQoL and LUTS outcomes were prospectively assessed in 357 consecutive men undergoing RARP at a single center from 2012 to 2015 using the functional assessment of cancer therapy-prostate (FACT-P) and the international consultation on incontinence modular questionnaire-male LUTS (ICIQ-MLUTS). Questionnaires were administered at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and ANOVA. RESULTS: Questionnaire completion rates were high (over 60% of eligible men completed 18-month follow-up). Mean Total FACT-P did not significantly change after RARP: 125.95 (standard deviation [SD] = 19.82) at baseline and 125.86 (SD = 21.14) at 18-months (P = 0.55). Mean total ICIQ-MLUTS also remained unchanged: 18.69 (SD = 10.70) at baseline and 18.76 (SD = 11.33) at 18-months (P = 0.11). Mean voiding score significantly reduced from 10.34 (SD = 5.78) at baseline to 6.33 (SD = 3.99) at 6 months after RARP (P<0.001). A reciprocal significant increase in storage score was observed: 5.34 (SD = 4.26) at baseline, 9.65 (SD = 5.71) at 6 months (P<0.001). Subanalyses of ICIQ-MLUTS scores revealed increases in storage symptoms were exclusively within urinary incontinence domains and included significant increases in both urge and stress urinary incontinence scores. CONCLUSION: Overall, patient-reported outcome measures evaluating HRQoL and LUTS do not significantly change after RARP. Detailed analysis reveals significant changes within LUTS domains do occur after surgery which could be overlooked if only total LUTS scores are reported.