Transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation versus vaginal electrical stimulation in women with overactive bladder syndrome: Is there a role for short-term interventions?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of vaginal electrical stimulation (VS) versus transcutaneous tibial nerve electrical stimulation (TTNS) in women with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-nine patients were randomized to receive 12 sessions of VS versus TTNS, or no treatment (control group-CG), over 6 weeks. OAB impact according to international consultation on incontinence questionnaire overactive bladder module (ICIQ-OAB), symptoms discomfort scores and voiding diaries were evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks and 1-month post-treatment. RESULTS: Both TTNS (mean difference = -4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -6.5 to -1.9) and VS (-3.8; -6.0 to -1.6) were associated with significant reduction of ICIQ-OAB scores, as well as discomfort sensation (-3.9; -6.2 to -1,7; p < 0.001 for the TTNS and -2.8; -5.0 to -0.6; p = 0.01 for the VS) at 6 weeks when compared to CG (p < 0.001). ICIQ-OAB score remained low only in the TTNS group when compared to the CG (-3.6; -6.0 to -1.2/p = 0.00) 1 month after treatment. Discomfort symptoms improved in both active groups when compared to CG (TTNS [-3.2; -5.2 to -1.2; p < 0.001] and VS groups [-2.6; -4.7 to -0.6; p = 0.01]). No statistically differences were found in primary outcomes comparing TTNS and VS Secondary analysis showed significant improvement in urinary urgency incontinence episodes (UUI) in both TTNS and VS, but CG. UUI episodes were still reduced in the VS group and urgency in the TTNS group 1-month post-treatment. CONCLUSION: Short-term interventions (6 weeks) of TTNS and VS were both effective in treating women with OAB. TTNS provided residual effects at one-month postintervention on ICIQ-OAB score.

Can platelet-rich plasma coating improve polypropylene mesh integration? An immunohistochemical analysis in rabbits.

PURPOSE: Despite high success rates in the treatment of urinary incontinence, complications related to the use of polypropylene (PP) meshes are still a concern, especially in vaginal prolapses surgeries. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) coating on the integration of PP meshes implanted in the vaginal submucosa of rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups (n=15): PP, implanted with conventional PP meshes; and PRP, implanted with autologous PRP coated PP meshes. Animals in both groups (n=5) were euthanized at 7, 30 and 90 days postoperatively, the vaginas extracted and sent to immunohistochemical analysis for the assessment of the pro-inflammatory agent TNF-α, anti-inflammatory agents TGF-ß and IL-13, collagen metabolism marker MMP-2, and angiogenesis marker CD-31. AxioVision™ image analysis was used for the calculation of the immunoreactive area and density. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA followed by Tukey test (p <0.05). RESULTS: Animals in the PRP group showed significantly increased expression of the angiogenesis agent CD-31 at all experimental times when compared to the PP group (p <0.0001). However, no differences concerning the expression of the other markers were observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of autologous PRP gel to PP meshes can be simply and safely achieved and seems to have a positive effect on implantation site angiogenesis. Further investigations are required to ascertain PPR coated meshes clinical efficacy in prolapses and stress urinary incontinence surgeries.

Effect of the platelet-rich plasma covering of polypropylene mesh on oxidative stress, inflammation, and adhesions.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Polypropylene mesh (PPM) is often used for urogynecological repair; however, it can cause complications. An approach to reduce complications is to coat PPM with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing molecules. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is inexpensive and improves wound healing. Therefore, we evaluated whether covering PPM with PRP could reduce inflammation, adhesion, and oxidative stress (OS) in rabbits. METHODS: The primary objective was to evaluate OS, and the secondary objectives were to evaluate inflammation and adhesion. PRP-coated PPM was implanted on the right side of the abdominal cavity of 12 female New Zealand rabbits, in the interface between the hypodermis and peritoneum. An uncoverated PPM was implanted in the other side. Twelve rabbits served as the sham group; all animals were euthanized after 30 or 60 days. Inflammatory parameters were myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activities. OS was evaluated by measuring the ferric-reducing antioxidant power, the free-radical-reducing ability of 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid [2,2'-azino-bis (ABTS)], reduced glutathione levels, and superoxide anion production. Adhesion was measured using tenacity and Diamond scales (the latter of which grades adhesions according to their extent) Inflammation and OS were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's test. The Mann-Whitney test was used to evaluate adhesions, and analysis of the sham group was conducted using Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in parameters of adhesions. After 60 days, PRP-coverated PPM presented a decrease in MPO and NAG activities. Furthermore, decreased OS and increased antioxidant levels were observed in PRP-coverated PPM samples. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of OS and inflammatory responses indicates that PRP-covered PPM is a promising therapeutic approach.

Small-bowel obstruction and bladder injury due to retropubic sling malposition in the peritoneal cavity.

We report a case of small-bowel obstruction caused by an internal hernia produced by the presence of an intraperitoneal sling mesh. A woman with a history of multiple abdominal surgeries was referred from another center after a sling procedure. On the fifth day after surgery, she developed small-bowel obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy showed the distal ileum compressed between the visceral peritoneum of the bladder and a loop mesh sling. The segment of ileum was repositioned into the peritoneal cavity and the sling segment was resected. In cases of small-bowel obstructions after a mesh surgery, one must be aware of the possibility of bowel entrapment and that the mere presence of intraperitoneal tape can trigger the obstruction.

Animal Model Standardization for Studying Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head in Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease.

Objective Testing an experimental model for ischemic necrosis of the femoral head in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease by evaluating gait, imaging and morphohistology. Methods The operation was done in 11 piglets. Necrosis by cerclage in the right femoral neck was induced. Piglets were divided into group A, with 8 animals, euthanizing two in the 2 nd , 4 th , 6 th , and 8 th weeks, respectively; and group B, with 2 animals ( sham ), submitted to the surgical procedure without cerclage of the right femoral neck. The gait classification used was that of Etterlin. The frozen femurs were submitted to digital radiography and computed tomography. The height and width of the epiphysis and epiphysary coefficient were measured at study times. Light microscopy and immunohistochemistry with TGF-ß1 were performed. Results One animal died of sepsis in Group A. In this group, claudication was observed in all animals. On digital radiography and computed tomography, bone sclerosis, enlargement of the right femoral neck, flattening, collapse, and fragmentation of the right femoral head were observed. All epiphysis height and epiphysary coefficient values of the right femoral head were lower than the contralateral ones, in which were observed chondrocytes disordered and separated by gaps. A reduction in TGF-ß1 expression was observed at 2 and 6 weeks in the right femoral head and at eight in the left. In group B, there were no signs of necrosis and gait was normal. Conclusions The model presented reproduced macroscopic necrosis on digital radiography, computed tomography, and microscopy. Gait evaluation showed a good correlation with other ischemia findings. Level of Evidence V. Diagnostic studies.

The help-seeking by women with urinary incontinence in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Lower tract urinary symptoms are underestimated by women as well as health professionals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of adult women with urinary incontinence and overactive bladder symptoms in seeking medical treatment. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-two women between 20 and 82 years old were interviewed. Urinary symptoms, epidemiologic, and quality of life (ICQ-SF) were related to the procurement of medical assistance. The Shapiro-Wilk, Mann-Whitney, and chi-square tests were used. RESULTS: The impact of the symptoms on quality of life was greater in younger women. Twenty-two percent of the participants, mainly the younger ones, reported seeking medical services due to several associated symptoms and quality of life impact. CONCLUSION: Younger women, association of several urinary symptoms, symptoms of urinary loss, and longer time since symptom onset were determining factors for seeking medical treatment.

Independent validation of a predictive nomogram for risk of reinfection in women with recurrent non-complicated urinary tract infections.

AIMS: Independent external validation of a predictive nomogram for risk of reinfection in women with a history of non-complicated recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted to validate the LUTIRE nomogram in a Brazilian female cohort. The nomogram was applied to 81 women presenting non-complicated recurring UTI screened at a urological clinic. External validation was performed using the nomogram variables in patients followed up from January 2014 to December 2016 at a urological clinic. Accuracy of the nomogram was obtained by analyzing the predictive capacity observed in the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the ability of the nomogram variables to predict the recurrence of UTI over 12 months. The time to recurrence of infection was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier curve and the log-rank test with calculation of the hazard ratio. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 42.8 years; 57 women (70.37%) had recurrence. The independent variables with statistical significance in the multivariate analysis were gram-negative bacteria [odds ratio (OR) 18.38; p = 0.03897] and number of UTIs in the past 12 months (OR 25.11; p = 0.00006). The accuracy of the nomogram for discriminating patients who had UTI recurrence was 82.6% (95% CI = 72.5-90.1). CONCLUSION: The LUTIRE nomogram showed good accuracy among Brazilian women with recurrent UTI.

Is There a Link Between Carotid Atherosclerosis and Idiopathic Overactive Bladder Among Women with Metabolic Syndrome?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between increased intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic carotid plaque (CP) with idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) in women with metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, which included consecutive women aged 40-75 years with MetS, seeking medical assistance at a reference center between April and December 2016. OAB-V8 questionnaire was used to estimate the prevalence of OAB symptoms, which were defined by a score ≥8 points. All patients underwent bilateral carotid artery ultrasound to assess IMT and CP. Atherosclerosis was defined by the identification of CP during ultrasound, which was diagnosed according to the Mannheim carotid intima-media thickness and plaque consensus. RESULTS: Forty-five women were prospectively included. Mean age was 60±9.3 years (range 40-75 ys). Eighteen (40%) patients were diagnosed with OAB. IMT in the general population was 0.72 mm (SD = 0.20). Overall prevalence of atherosclerosis, defined by the presence of the carotid artery plaque, was 51%. OAB prevalence among women with atherosclerosis was higher than in those without atherosclerosis (56.52% versus 22.73%), with a prevalence ratio of 2.49 (p=0.04). Additionally, OAB was associated with degree of carotid stenosis (p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: In this cohort of female patients with MetS, there was an association between carotid atherosclerosis and OAB. Identification of carotid ultrasound abnormalities may lead to refined treatment decision-making among OAB patients.

Influence of sling material on inflammation and collagen deposit in an animal model.

AIM: Compare inflammation and collagen production induced by four sling materials in female rats. METHODS: Adult female rats (n=144) were submitted to a urinary incontinence model and neutering. After four weeks they were randomized in 5 groups: Sham; autologous sling; Marlex; swine intestinal submucosa (SIS), and polypropylene mesh (TVT). Animals were killed at 7, 30 and 90 days. The inflammatory infiltrated area was rated from 0 to 3 (0=area smaller than 25%, 1=between 25% and 50%, 2 between 50% and 75%, and 3 for areas greater than 75%). The presence of granuloma and necrosis was noted. Penetration in the vesical wall was evaluated employing a system of scores from 0 to 3. The amount of collagen I and III, and the total was assessed using the Picro-Sirius staining technique. RESULTS: The Sham group presented lower inflammatory parameters at 7 days. On the 30th day, the autologous fascia presented inflammatory reactions similar to the Sham group, and lower than the remaining groups. The synthetic materials demonstrated greater inflammatory reactions at 60 days. No differences between groups were observed other than those concerning collagen production, except at 60 days, when TVT and SIS differed from Fascia and Sham in the production of collagen III. CONCLUSION: Autologous fascia produced less inflammatory reaction and collagen. TVT and Marlex caused more intense and longer-lasting inflammatory reaction with greater visceral penetration. When TVT was used, this process resulted in a higher quantity of collagen III. The presence of SIS, although presenting a less intense inflammatory reaction than the synthetics, also caused greater collagen III production at 60 days.