Can the use of antithrombotic drugs be a predictive factor in the early diagnosis of bladder cancer?: A single-center analysis.

Hematuria is the most common symptom of bladder cancer (BCa). It is well-known that the frequency of hematuria increases with the use of antithrombotic drugs (ATDs). We designed our study with the hypothesis that patients using antithrombotic drugs who present with the complaint of hematuria and are subsequently diagnosed with BCa may receive an earlier diagnosis, leading to lower tumor grades and stages. Data of 441 consecutive patients who presented to our urology outpatient clinic with macroscopic hematuria between 2020 and 2023 were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 88 patients (21.4%) with a primary diagnosis of BCa were included in our study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those using ATDs during the episode of macroscopic hematuria (group 1) and those not using ATDs (group 2). Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors that could predict tumor grade. The incidence of multiple tumors (>1) was significantly lower in patients using ATDs (P = .033). The number of patients with tumor size larger than 3 cm was significantly higher in the group not using ATDs (P = .005). The rates of pathological T1 stage in the group using ATDs were significantly lower than those in the nonuser group (P = .038). According to the results of the multivariate model, the effect of pathology stage and ATD use on predicting tumor grade was significant (P = .002 and P < .001, respectively). The probability of having a high-grade tumor in patients with pathology stage T1 was 5.32 times higher than in patients with pathology stage TA. The probability of having a high-grade tumor in patients not using ATDs was 7.73 times higher than in those using ATDs. The effect of pathology stage and ATD use on predicting tumor grade was found to be significant. The probability of having a high-grade tumor was higher in patients not using ATDs compared to those using ATDs. In light of these results, we can state that the use of ATDs is a positive predictive factor in the early diagnosis of BCa, bringing along the chance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Effects of Chronic Migraine on Male Sexual Health.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical implication of the sexual functions of male patients diagnosed with chronic migraine (CM) compared with the healthy population. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Departments of Urology and Neurology, Hitit University Hospital, Turkey, from August 2019 to August 2020. METHODOLOGY: A total of 179 patients (92 subjects diagnosed with CM and 87 control healthy volunteers) were included in this study. Demographic descriptive data including age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of all patients were recorded. A 5-question version of the international index of erectile function questionnaire (IIEF-5) was applied to evaluate their sexual functions. Furthermore, a migraine identification test was performed for CM patients for the diagnosis of migraine in accordance with the International Headache Society's (IHS) definition of chronic migraine. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores between 0-10 points were recorded for the qualitative assessment of migraine pain. RESULTS: The IIEF-5 scores of CM patients [16 (11 - 21)] were lower compared to the control patients [21 (19 - 23), p <0.001)]. A negative correlation was found between the VAS scores and IIEF-5 scores of CM patients (rho -0.582, p <0.001). In the regression analysis, it was found that a 1-unit increase in the VAS score led to a 1.5 point decrease in the IIEF-5 score (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: Migraine pain in male patients with CM adversely affected erectile functions. A more detailed investigation of the pathophysiological mechanisms may be helpful in the treatment of ED. KEY WORDS: Erectile dysfunction, Chronic migraine, IIEF-5, Erectile functions.

Efficiency and Safety of The Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery in Younger Compared to Elderly Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcomes of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and its complications in  both young and elderly patients. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Departments of Urology, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, and Çorum Hitit University, Çorum, Turkey from April 2019 to January 2020. METHODOLOGY: Patients with kidney stones up to 3 cm in maximal diameter on computarised tomography (CT) scan, were divided into two groups according to age (<60 vs. ≥60 years ). RIRS was performed. Demographics, clinical data, and complications were recorded and compared. RESULTS: Mean age of 78 patients was 52.47 ±13.28 years. There were no significant difference in gender, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) scores, operation time, number of multiple sessions, success rates of outcome and complication rates between groups. At the end of the first session, stone-free rates were 91.1% vs 87.9% in younger and elderly groups, respectively; while, after the second session, all patients were stone-free in both groups. Fever, hematuria (macroscopic, more than 24 hours), and perirenal hematoma were the observed complications. Postoperative hematocrit levels significantly decreased without any need of transfusion; there were significant differences in the preoperative and postoperative creatinine levels ( p=0.002) in the older group. CONCLUSION: RIRS is a safe and effective method for treating kidney stones up to 3 centimeter diameter in all age groups. Although hemorrhagic events are mostly clinically unremarkable, there is a risk of renal function impairment in older (≥60 years) patients. Preoperative hydration and postoperative close follow-up is important. Key Words: Retrograde intrarenal surgery, Elderly, Effectiveness, Safety.

Clinical Manifestations of Overactive Bladder With Migraine as a Comorbidity: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical manifestations of overactive bladder (OAB) with migraine as a comorbidity and to shed light on possible new treatment strategies. METHODS: This study included patients aged 18 years and older who were admitted to urology and neurology outpatient clinics between March 1, 2019 and March 1, 2020 for OAB and migraine. The study questionnaire contained 3 sections: (1) questions on demographic characteristics, (2) a migraine ID test, and (3) the Overactive Bladder Inquiry Form - V8 (OAB-V8) form. RESULTS: A total of 265 patients participated in the study. The average age of the participants was 39.75±11.93 years. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the coexistence of OAB with migraine: group 1, OAB(+)/migraine(+); group 2, OAB(+)/migraine(-); and group 3, OAB(-)/migraine(+). The mean OAB-V8 score was 22.82 ±8.15 in group 1 and 25.64±7.49 in group 2. The mean OAB-V8 score of OAB patients with migraine as a comorbidity was statistically significantly lower than that of OAB patients without migraine (P=0.015). The median visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.11 (range, 2-10) in group 1 and 5.95 (range, 2-10) in group 3. This finding indicates that in patients with migraine, having OAB was associated with significantly higher VAS scores (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: OAB and migraine may be comorbid conditions coexisting in a single patient. This comorbidity may lead to a lower perception of OAB symptoms in OAB patients or, conversely, to a higher perception of migraine pain. Further studies are needed to elucidate how treatments for each of these diseases can affect the other disease.

All-Seeing-Access Sheath: A Novel Fluoroscopy-Free Placement Technique in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of fluoroscopy-free RIRS (Retrograde intrarenal surgery) method in urolithiasis. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Urology, Hitit University Corum Training and Research Hospital, Corum, Turkey, from October 2014 and October 2017. METHODOLOGY: Preoperative and postoperative data of 62 cases of renal calculi that underwent fluoroscopy-free RIRS procedure by a single surgeon were prospectively evaluated. All manipulations were performed with a novel technique; under direct vision during the operation. Fluoroscopy device was kept at hand in the operating room, but was not used. RESULTS: The mean age was found as 51.73 ±12.63 (22-82) years. Fortyone patients (66.1%) were males and 21 (33.9%) were females. The mean size of stones were 19.29 ±7.64 (10-40) mm. The stone-free rate was calculated as 42 (67.7%) cases in a single session one month after the surgery, and 15 (24.2%) cases after the second session at the postoperative first month. A total of 57/61 (91.9%) patients were stone-free after the second procedure. No major intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed. As for the minor complications, one patient (1.6%) developed hematuria and four patients (6.5%) had fever. CONCLUSION: The described fluoroscopy-free RIRS procedure can be performed effectively and safely in patients diagnosed with renal calculi, by endourologists.

Comparison of three most frequently used alpha blocker agents in medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteral calculi, result of a retrospective observational study.

PURPOSE: In this study, we compared the effects of three agents frequently used in daily life for medical expulsive therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 143 patients meeting the criteria were included in the study. Patients were divided into three homogeneous drug groups which were tamsulosin group (n:48), alfuzosin group (n:47) and silodosin group (n:48). The time of stone expulsion, analgesic needs, side effects of the medicine and endoscopic intervention needs of the patients were recorded. RESULTS: The rate of stone expulsion was 70.8% (n:34) in tamsulosin group, 70.2% (n:33) in alfuzosin group, and 75% (n:36) in silodosin group. No significant difference was observed among the rates of stone expulsion in three groups, and the rates of stone expulsion were similar (p = 0.778). The duration of stone expulsion was significantly different in the groups (p = 0.012): the time of stone expulsion for tamsulosin was 2.33 ± 0.78 days longer than for Silodosin, indicating a significant difference. There was no significant difference between tamsulosin-alfuzosin and silodosin-alfuzosin (respectively p = 0.147, p = 0.925). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that medical expulsive therapy by using alpha blocker agents is safe and efficacious. This option must be kept in mind for patients who do not ask for surgery as the first-step treatment for eligible patients.

Evaluation of biochemical recurrence-free survival after radical prostatectomy by cancer of the prostate risk assessment post-surgical (CAPRA-S) score.

BACKGROUND: The cancer of the prostate risk assessment (CAPRA) score has been defined to predict prostate cancer recurrence based on the pre-clinical data, then pathological data have also been incorporated. Thus, CAPRA post-surgical (CAPRA-S) score has been developed based on six criteria (prostate specific antigen (PSA) at diagnosis, pathological Gleason score, and information on surgical margin, seminal vesicle invasion, extracapsular extension and lymph node involvement) for the prediction of post-surgical recurrences. In the present study, biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free probabilities after open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RP) were evaluated by the CAPRA-S scoring system and its three-risk level model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CAPRA-S scores (0-12) of our 240 radical prostatectomies performed between January 2000-May 2011 were calculated. Patients were distributed into CAPRA-S score groups and also into three-risk groups as low, intermediate and high. BCR-free probabilities were assessed and compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression. Ability of CAPRA-S in BCR detection was evaluated by concordance index (c-index). RESULTS: BCR was present in 41 of total 240 patients (17.1%) and the mean follow-up time was 51.7±33.0 months. Mean BCR-free survival time was 98.3 months (95% CI: 92.3-104.2). Of the patients in low, intermediate and high risk groups, 5.4%, 22.0% and 58.8% had BCR, respectively and the difference among the three groups was significant (P=0.0001). C-indices of CAPRA-S score and three-risk groups for detecting BCR-free probabilities in 5-yr were 0.87 and 0.81, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both CAPRA-S score and its three-risk level model well predicted BCR after RP with high c-index levels in our center. Therefore, it is a clinically reliable post-operative risk stratifier and disease recurrence predictor for prostate cancer.

Association between prostatic resistive index and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

We evaluated the relationship between prostatic resistive index (RI) and cardiovascular system (CVS) risk factors in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The study included 120 patients who were attending our outpatient clinic with lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia. The clinical, laboratory, anthropometric data, and CVS risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, history of CVS events, and smoking) of the patients were evaluated regarding the association between prostate RI level by regression analyses. The prostatic RI levels of the patients were measured using power Doppler imaging. In univariate regression analysis, there were statistically significant relationships between prostatic RI levels and the patients' age, International Prostate Symptom Score, hip circumference, fasting blood glucose, prostate specific antigen, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total prostate volume, uroflowmetric maximal flow rate, and all investigated CVS risk factors (p < 0.05). The prostatic RI levels were found to be associated with fasting blood glucose and total prostate volume, and also with CVS risk factors including only metabolic syndrome and cigarette smoking in the multivariate regression analysis. Our results showed that prostatic RI level is significantly related to metabolic syndrome and smoking among the investigated CVS risk factors.

Effects of medical therapy or surgery on prostatic and bladder resistive indices in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

INTRODUCTION: The effects of medical therapy or surgery on bladder and prostatic resistive indices (RIs) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) were evaluated in the present study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 124 consecutive LUTS/BPH patients who were candidates for medical therapy (alfuzosin 10 mg once daily, n=66) or surgery (transurethral prostatectomy (TUR-P), n=58) were prospectively included. Baseline assessment of patients was performed with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), and prostatic and bladder RIs measured using power Doppler imaging (PDI). All patients were re-evaluated 3 months after treatment measuring the same parameters. RESULTS: Following medical therapy, mean IPSS (17.2±5.1 vs. 8.3±5.3, p=0.0001), postvoiding residual (PVR) urine (80.0±80.5 vs. 40.3±38.6, p=0.0001), and prostatic RI (0.73±0.1 vs. 0.70±0.1, p=0.0001) were decreased, Qmax (13.7±4.2 vs. 16.9±5.9, p=0.0001) was increased, and bladder RI remained unchanged (0.70±0.1 vs. 0.70±0.1, p=0.68). Mean IPSS (25.3±5.6 vs. 6.0±4.5, p=0.0001), PVR urine volume (134.5±115.5 vs. 35.7±25.9, p=0.0001), and prostatic (0.78±0.1 vs. 0.67±0.04, p=0.0001) and bladder RIs (0.72±0.1 vs. 0.64±0.04, p=0.005) were decreased, and Qmax (8.0±4.5 vs. 17.2±8.2, p=0.0001) was increased after TUR-P. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that TUR-P decreased both prostatic and bladder RIs, while α-blocker therapy did not change bladder RI in the early posttreatment period in LUTS/BPH patients.

Metabolic syndrome prevalence in renal cell cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is increasingly being recognized as a metabolic disease in recent studies. The aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its association with RCC among urologic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 355 participants (117 adult RCC patients and 238 age matched controls) divided into groups, with and without MetS diagnosed using the criteria of the American Heart Association/The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Groups were compared statistically and logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the impact of MetS criteria on RCC risk. RESULTS: Of the 117 RCC patients, 52 (44.4%) and of the 238 controls, 37 (15.5%) had MetS. A significant association (p<0.001) was found between the presence of MetS and RCC (OR: 4.35; 95% CI=2.62- 7.21). As the number of MetS components accumulated from 3 to 5, RCC risk increased likewise from 4 to 6 times. CONCLUSIONS: MetS is more prevalent in RCC patients in Turkey compared to controls. Risk increases with the number of coexisting MetS components.

Association of prostate volume with voiding impairment and deterioration in quality of life after prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how voiding function and quality of life (QoL) were affected by transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy with respect to prostatic size and to determine whether there is a size-bothersomeness relationship. METHODS: Ninety-two patients who were candidates for prostate biopsy were included. Ten-core prostate biopsies were taken, and patients were followed up for 7 days. The international prostate symptom score, QoL, maximum urine flow rate (Q-max) and average urine flow rate, postvoid residual urine, and prostate volume (Vp) of the patients were recorded at baseline and on postbiopsy day 7. On receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, a Vp of 38.8 mL was found to be the best cutoff point for deterioration in QoL after biopsy. Then, patients were divided into 2 groups according to baseline Vp, as <38.8 mL and ≥38.8 mL, group 1 and 2, respectively. Baseline and postbiopsy values were compared. RESULTS: One patient in group 1 and 5 in group 2 developed acute urinary retention after biopsy, but the difference was not significant (P >.05). Only Vp and Q-max of group 1 (P <.001 and P = .035, respectively), but QoL (P = .002), international prostate symptom score, Q-max, Vp (P <.001 in all 3), and average urine flow rate (P = .006) of group 2 were significantly changed on postbiopsy day 7 compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: Patients with a Vp >38.8 mL were more prone to voiding difficulty and deterioration in QoL after biopsy. They should be informed about the likelihood of these complications.

The effects of N-acetylcysteine on testicular damage in experimental testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study to evaluate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on testicular damage in a rat testicular ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury model. METHODS: Thirty male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups. Group 1: sham control, Group 2: torsion (T), Group 3: torsion/detorsion (T/D), Group 4: the early NAC treatment plus T/D, 20 mg/kg of NAC was given intravenously 60 min before detorsion; Group 5: the late NAC treatment plus T/D, 20 mg/kg of NAC was given intravenously 5 min before detorsion. After torsion (2 h) and detorsion (2 h), bilateral orchiectomies were performed to determine the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) or more exactly thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), myeloperoxidase activity and histopathological changes. RESULTS: The most significant increase in the mean TBARS level and decrease in the mean seminiferous tubular diameter, germinal epithelial cell thickness values in bilateral testes were observed in T/D group rather than other groups. TBARS levels of early NAC treatment group were significantly lowered and histological parameters of spermatogenesis were significantly improved in bilateral testes when compared with T and T/D groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the early administration of NAC may have a protective effect in the rat experimental testicular T/D models.