Nation-wide analysis of the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on daily urology practice in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To present a nation-wide analysis of the workload of urology departments in Turkey week-by-week during Covid-19 pandemic. METHODOLOGY: The centres participating in the study were divided into three groups as tertiary referral centres, state hospitals and private practice hospitals. The number of outpatients, inpatients, daily interventions and urological surgeries were recorded prospectively between 9-March-2020 and 31-May-2020. All these variables were recorded for the same time interval of 2019 as well. The weekly change of the workload of urology during pandemic period was evaluated, also the workload of urology and the distributions of certain urological surgeries were compared between the pandemic period and the same time interval of the year 2019. RESULTS: A total of 51 centres participated in the study. The number of outpatients, inpatients, urological surgeries and daily interventions were found to be dramatically decreased by the 3rd week of pandemics in state hospitals and tertiary referral centres; however, the daily urological practice were similar in private practice hospitals throughout the pandemic period. When the workload of urology in pandemic period and the same time interval of the year 2019 were compared, a huge decrease was observed in all variables during pandemic period. However, temporary measures like ureteral stenting, nephrostomy placement and percutaneous cystostomy have been found to increase during Covid-19 pandemic compared with normal life. CONCLUSIONS: Covid-19 pandemic significantly affected the routine daily urological practice likewise other subspecialties and priority was given to emergent and non-deferrable surgeries by urologists in concordance with published clinical guidelines.

Radiation exposure of patients during endourological procedures: IAEA-SEGUR study.

Fluoroscopy is increasingly used to guide minimally invasive endourological procedures and optimised protocols are needed to minimise radiation exposure while achieving best treatment results. This multi-center study of radiation exposure of patients was conducted by the South-Eastern European Group for Urolithiasis Research (SEGUR), in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Seven clinical centers from the SEGUR group collected data for 325 procedures performed within a three-months period, including standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), mini PCNL, retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), semirigid ureterorenoscopy (URS) and flexible URS. Data included: air kerma area product (PKA), air kerma at the patient entrance reference point (Ka,r), fluoroscopy time (FT), number of radiographic images (N) and fluoroscopy pulse rate, as well as total procedure duration, size and location of stones. Data were centrally analysed and statistically compared. MedianPKAvalues per center varied 2-fold for RIRS (0.80-1.79 Gy cm2), 7.1 fold for mini-PCNL (1.39-9.90 Gy cm2), 7.3 fold for PCNL (2.40-17.50 Gy cm2), 19 fold (0.13-2.51 Gy cm2) for semi-rigid URS and 29-fold for flexible URS (0.10-2.90 Gy cm2). LowerPKAandKa,rwere associated with use of lower FT,Nand lower fluoroscopy pulse rate. FT varied from 0.1 to 14 min, a small fraction of the total procedure time, ranging from 10 to 225 min. HigherNwas associated with higherPKAandKa,r. Higher medianPKAin PCNL was associated with the use of supine compared to prone position. No correlation was found between the concrement size and procedure duration, FT,PKAorKa,r. Dose values for RIRS were significantly lower compared to PCNL. The maximumKa,rvalue of 377 mGy was under the threshold for radiation induced skin erythema. The study demonstrated a potential for patient dose reduction by lowering FT andN, using pulsed fluoroscopy and beam collimation.

Critical evaluation of the overactive bladder and urgency urinary incontinence association with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in a relatively young adult male population.

AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of Overactive Bladder (OAB) and Urgency Urinary Incontinence (UUI) in males with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) using the OSAS grading system. METHODS: A total of 194 patients who underwent Polysomnography (PSG) were included in our prospective cross sectional study. Patients were divided into four groups according to Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). Group 1, 35 patients with normal AHI (<5) as a control group; Group 2, 47 patients with mild OSAS (AHI ≥5 and <15); Group 3, 51 patients with moderate OSAS (AHI ≥15 and <30); Group 4, 61 patients with severe OSAS (AHI ≥30). Over Active Bladder (OAB-V8), ICIQ-SF, and IPSS questionnaires were filled out for all patients. Prevalence of OAB, UUI, nocturia, and scores of OAB-V8, ICIQ-SF, IPSS were compared between the study groups. The statistical analysis was adjusted by the demographics of age and BMI. RESULTS: The mean age was 44.6 ± 11.2 years, and the mean BMI was 29.9 ± 4.9 within the whole study group, and both were statistically different between the groups. The scores of OAB-V8 (P = 0.298), ICIQ-SF (P = 0.392), IPSS total, IPSS storage, and IPSS voiding (P = 0.268, P = 0.380, P = 0.167, respectively), the prevalence of OAB (P = 0.078), UUI (P = 0.423), and nocturia (P = 0.096) were not statistically different between the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that there is no increase in prevalence of OAB and UUI in relatively young adult male with OSAS. Furthermore, analysis revealed that the higher OSAS grade does not mean the higher prevalence of OAB.

Medical Expulsive Therapy Following Shock Wave Lithotripsy in Ureteral Calculi: An Effective Approach for the Improvement of Health-Related Quality of Life.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possible effects of medical expulsive therapy (MET) on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients undergoing shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for ureteric stones. METHODS: Eighty patients treated with SWL for ureteric stones were included in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups; Group 1 received medical therapy only for colic pain and Group 2 received MET in addition to medical therapy. Patients requiring DJ stenting and auxiliary measures after SWL procedure were excluded. The remaining 54 patients were further evaluated (Group 1: n = 26, Group 2: n = 28) and followed up during the 4-week period for analgesic requirement, number of renal colic attacks, emergency department (ED) visits and the HRQOL scores by using EQ-5D index and EQ-5D visual analogue scale (VAS) values. RESULTS: During the 4-week follow-up period, cases undergoing SWL only required significantly higher amount of analgesics. In addition to the lower number of renal colic attacks and ED visits, EQ-5D index and EQ-5D VAS values also demonstrated higher mean values in patients undergoing SWL + MET. CONCLUSION: In addition to the increased spontaneous stone passage rates, MET following SWL for ureteral calculi could increase the HRQOL scores by lowering the number of both renal colic attacks and ED visits along with decreased analgesic need.

Factors affecting the course of body and kidney growth in infants with urolithiasis: A critical long-term evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible effects of dietary, patient and stone related factors on the clinical course of the stone disease as well as the body and renal growth status of the infants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 50 children with an history of stone disease during infancy period were studied. Patient (anatomical abnormalities, urinary tract infection - UTI, associated morbidities), stone (obstruction, UTI and required interventions) and lastly dietary (duration of sole breast feeding, formula feeding) related factors which may affect the clinical course of the disease were all evaluated for their effects on the body and renal growth during long-term follow-up. RESULTS: Mean age of the children was 2.40 ± 2.65 years. Our findings demonstrated that infants receiving longer period of breast feeding without formula addition seemed to have a higher rate of normal growth percentile values when compared with the other children. Again, higher frequency of UTI and stone attacks affected the growth status of the infants in a remarkable manner than the other cases. Our findings also demonstrated that thorough a close follow-up and appropriately taken measures; the possible growth retardation as well as renal growth problems could be avoided in children beginning to suffer from stone disease during infancy period. CONCLUSIONS: Duration of breast feeding, frequency of UTI, number of stone attacks and stone removal procedures are crucial factors for the clinical course of stone disease in infants that may affect the body as well as kidney growth during long-term follow-up.

International Alliance of Urolithiasis (IAU) Guideline on percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

The International Alliance of Urolithiasis (IAU) would like to release the latest guideline on percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and to provide a clinical framework for surgeons performing PCNLs. These recommendations were collected and appraised from a systematic review and assessment of the literature covering all aspects of PCNLs from the PubMed database between January 1, 1976, and July 31, 2021. Each generated recommendation was graded using a modified GRADE methodology. The quality of the evidence was graded using a classification system modified from the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence. Forty-seven recommendations were summarized and graded, which covered the following issues, indications and contraindications, stone complexity evaluation, preoperative imaging, antibiotic strategy, management of antithrombotic therapy, anesthesia, position, puncture, tracts, dilation, lithotripsy, intraoperative evaluation of residual stones, exit strategy, postoperative imaging and stone-free status evaluation, complications. The present guideline on PCNL was the first in the IAU series of urolithiasis management guidelines. The recommendations, tips and tricks across the PCNL procedures would provide adequate guidance for urologists performing PCNLs to ensure safety and efficiency in PCNLs.

Is it possible to reduce the complications and mortality of patients undergoing radical cystectomy? Effectiveness of pre-operative parameters. A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between serum albumin, hematocrit (HTC), age-dependent Charlson comorbidity index, body mass index (BMI), and deleted operation time in predicting mortality and complications associated with radical cystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients planned for radical cystectomy owing to bladder cancer were investigated prospectively between 2015 and 2016 in our clinic. A total of 55 cases were included in the study. Patients' characteristics, preoperative serum albumin values, hematocrit level, age-dependent Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), body mass index and deleted operation time, drainage catheter time, gas-stool expulsion time were recorded. The patients were followed up for 90 days. RESULTS: Age of cases, Charlson comorbidity index scores, and HCT were not different in patients with or without complications (overall) or severe complications nor in patients who died or survived after the procedure. The albumin value of the cases with observed mortality and complications was significantly lower than that of the cases with no mortality and complications. In multivariate and univariate analysis, low albumin level was established to be meaningful in predicting mortality and serious complications. The cut-off point for albumin, according to mortality, was found to be 4.1. Mortality within 90 days was 16.3% (n = 9). CONCLUSIONS: We have evaluated albumin as a marker that could indicate both mortality and the presence of severe complications after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion.

Radiation Exposure of Surgical Team During Endourological Procedures: International Atomic Energy Agency-South-Eastern European Group for Urolithiasis Research Study.

Introduction: Fluoroscopy-guided endourology procedures require proper radiation protection to minimize radiation risk. This multicenter study aimed at investigating radiation protection practice and related radiation exposure of operating team members. Materials and Methods: Six endourology centers from the South-Eastern European Group for Urolithiasis Research answered questionnaires and collected data of 315 procedures performed within a 3-months period, with simultaneous measurement of dose to staff and dose area product (DAP) to patient. A pair of calibrated personal dosimeters, one for body and one for eye-lens dose, was worn by all key staff members. Dosimeters were centrally calibrated, measured, and analyzed. Results: The annual workload ranged from 173 to 865 procedures per center. Practice of personal dose monitoring and use of radiation protection shielding was found to be inconsistent. Lead aprons and thyroid collars were used by all, whereas protective eyewear was used in only half of centers. Due to the regular use of protective aprons, the whole-body dose of all 44 monitored staff members was safely below the regulatory dose limits. Eye-lens dose of 17 (14 urologists and 3 assisting staff) was above the dosimeter detection level, and dose per procedure varied from <10 to 63 µSv. The highest annual eye-lens dose of 13.5 mSv was found for the surgeon in the busiest department by using an over-the-couch X-ray tube without a ceiling suspended screen. Working closer to patient body with no protection resulted in a six-time higher eye-lens dose per DAP for a surgeon compared with others in the same center. Lower eye-dose per procedure was associated with lower DAP to patient and with the use of an under-the-couch tube, lower fluoroscopy pulse rate, collimation, fluoroscopy time, and acquired images. Conclusions: The study results call for the need to establish standard protocols about use of fluoroscopy during endourology procedures and to increase radiation protection knowledge and awareness of surgical staff.

The role of anticholinergic therapy based on the upoint system in the treatment of chronic prostatitis.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common problem and severely impairs the quality of life (QoL). We aimed to investigate the effects of different treatment options on voiding symptoms and QoL in patients with urinary phenotype according to the UPOINT system. Matherial and methods: Ninety-six patients with NIH category II,III CP/CPPS were included in the study prospectively. After the diagnosis, the questionnaires including NIH Chronic prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Overactive Bladder Screening Questionnaire (OAB-V8), and Beck depression inventory were filled by the patients. The patients with urinary phenotype were treated by alpha-blocker, antimuscarinic or both therapy modalities (combined) considering the specific therapy recommendations by UPOINT. The questionnaires applied on the first visit were reapplied after one month and treatment success was evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were included in 'Urinary phenotype' group (76%) and 23 were included in 'other phenotypes' (24%) group of the patients according to the UPOINT classification. Significant improvements of symptoms were observed with the all treatment modalities when the NIH-CPSI, IPSS and OAB-V8 scores were compared before and after treatment in the 'Urinary phenotype' group. Significant differences in the percentage of change in values were obtained in the anticholinergic group for pain subdomain of NIH-CPSI and IPSS scores. CONCLUSION: U-POINT clasification is useful for deciding on the treatment modality in CP/CPSS patients. We showed anticholinergic therapy might be effective option. Addition to the symptomatic recovery, there is need more further studies about effectivity cholinergic system in the prostate tissue.

Reliability and validity of the Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Questionnaireamong Turkish children

Background/aim: We developed a Turkish version of the Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Questionnaire (BBDQ) and evaluated its psychometric properties among Turkish pediatric patients.Materials and methods: The BBDQ was translated into Turkish and then it was back-translated into English. A total of 193 patients were asked to complete the Turkish version of the BBDQ as well as the Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Scoring System (DVISS). In addition, 39 children completed the same questionnaires twice at 2-week intervals for test/retest evaluation.Results: Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the BBDQ was 0.727. Reliability of the test/retest was 0.759 (P < 0.001). Area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic plot was 0.765. There were statistically significant differences in BBDQ scores between the controls and patients (P < 0.001). Analysis demonstrated moderate convergent validity against the DVISS (r: 0.78, r2: 0.601, P < 0.0001).Conclusion: The Turkish version of the BBDQ is a reliable and valid instrument for Turkish pediatric patients with bladder and bowel dysfunction in clinical and research settings.

Impaction of ureteral stones into the ureteral wall: Is it possible to predict?

To determine the possible predictive value of certain acute phase reactants CRP and ESR as well as radiologic parameters on the degree of impaction in ureteral stones. A total of 80 adult patients with a single opaque proximal ureteral stone were evaluated. A non-contrast CT was performed in all cases and all possible radiologic predictive parameters calculated. Additionally, to outline the degree of impaction at the stone site, two serum acute phase reactants namely CRP and ESR levels were also assessed. Patients were divided into two groups as follows; Group 1 (n:42) patients with normal CRP levels and Group 2 (n:38) patients with elevated levels of CRP. The data obtained in the subgroups were first comparatively evaluated with radiological parameters and the possible correlation between CRP values and these parameters was well evaluated. While the serum CRP levels were normal in 42 cases, they were elevated in 38 cases. Evaluation of the data from CRP subgroups and radiologic parameters showed that elevated levels of serum CRP were closely related with mean values of ureteral wall thickness (UWT) as well as mean level of hydronephrosis with a statistically significant difference. Additionally, a correlation analysis between serum CRP levels and all other parameters mentioned above demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between UWT, degree of hydronephrosis and serum ESR values. Evaluation of serum CRP and ESR values could let us to predict the UWT, a parameter which is closely related with the degree of stone impaction.

Effect of medical expulsive therapy on the health-related quality of life of patients with ureteral stones: a critical evaluation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the possible effects of medical expulsive therapy (MET) on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the patients under watchful waiting for ureteral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total 120 patients with ureteral stones were included into this study program. Patients were divided into two subgroups. While patients in group 1 received medical therapy only for colic pain if needed, patients in group 2 received MET (tamsulosin 0.4 mg/once daily) in addition to medical therapy. All cases were evaluated weekly during 1-month period, and the patients with persistent stones after this period in both groups were evaluated with respect to the analgesic requirement, number of renal colic attacks as well as emergency department (ED) visits along with the QOL scores. RESULTS: Mean values of patient age and stone burden were 37.14 ± 2.46 years and 42.04 ± 2.03 mm(2), respectively. Evaluation of the cases with residing stones after 4 weeks (28 cases in group 1 and 27 cases in group 2) with or without MET revealed following findings; renal colic, total amount of analgesic required and the mean number of ED visits were significantly lower in cases receiving MET. Evaluation of the mean HRQOL in terms of EQ-5D index and EQ-5D VAS values in both groups again demonstrated higher mean values in patients undergoing MET (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that MET for ureteral calculi during watchful waiting period could increase the HRQOL scores by lowering the number of both renal colic attacks and ED visits resulting in decreased analgesic need.