Nocturia and obstructive sleep apnea in spinal cord injured patients - a cohort study.

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence of nocturia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a cohort of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients and to describe their association. Additionally, to assess clinical and urodynamic data explaining nocturia and to evaluate the effect of OSA management with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). METHOD: Retrospective analysis of data from patients with SCI followed in a tertiary care rehabilitation center with a specialized sleep and neuro-urology units. All adult SCI patients who underwent urodynamic assessment before polysomnography (PSG) between 2015 and 2023 were eligible. Subjective (nocturia) and objective data (urodynamic data, polysomnography, CPAP built-in software) were collated from the Handisom database (database register no. 20200224113128) and the medical records of SCI patients. Statistical testing used Mann-Whitney test for non-parametric variables, Fisher's exact test for contingency analysis and the Spearman correlation test to assess correlations. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism v9. RESULTS: 173 patients (131 males, 42 females) were included. The majority of patients were paraplegic (n = 111 (64,2%)) and had complete lesions (n = 75 (43,4%)). A total of 100 patients had nocturia (57,5%). The prevalence of OSA (Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) ≥ 15/h) in the studied population was 61,9%. No correlation was found between nocturia and OSA. A significant difference was observed between patients with and without nocturia in terms of the presence of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (p = 0,049), volume at the first detrusor contraction (p = 0,004) and the bladder functional capacity (p < 0,001). CONCLUSION: Nocturia and OSA are highly prevalent in patients with SCI, but no statistical association was found between these two disorders. A prospective study focusing on nocturnal polyuria will be needed to assess the impact of OSA on lower urinary tract symptoms in SCI patients.

A new tool to investigate anorectal disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis: STAR-Q.

BACKGROUND: Bowel symptoms are commonly experienced by patients with Multiple sclerosis (PwMS), but no specific questionnaire validated in this population allows a rigorous assessment. OBJECTIVE: Validation of a multidimensional questionnaire assessing bowel disorders in PwMS. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted between April 2020 and April 2021. The STAR-Q (Symptoms' assessmenT of AnoRectal dysfunction Questionnaire), was built in 3 steps. First, literature review and qualitative interviews were performed to create the first version, discussed with a panel of experts. Then, a pilot study assessed comprehension, acceptation and pertinence of items. Finally, the validation study was designed to measure content validity, internal consistency reliability (alpha coefficient of Cronbach) and test-retest reliability [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)]. The primary outcome was good psychometric properties with Cronbach's α>0.7 and ICC>0.7. RESULTS: We included 231 PwMS. Comprehension, acceptation and pertinence were good. STAR-Q showed a very good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α=0.84) and test-retest reliability (ICC=0.89). Final version of STAR-Q was composed of 3 domains corresponding in symptoms (Q1-Q14), treatment and constraints (Q15-Q18) and impact on quality of life (Q19). Three categories of severity were determined (STAR-Q≤16: minor, between 17 and 20: moderate, and≥21: severe). CONCLUSIONS: STAR-Q presents very good psychometric properties and allows a multidimensional assessment of bowel disorders in PwMS.

[Guidelines on the urological management of the adult patient with spinal dysraphism (spina bifida)]. / Recommandations sur la gestion du risque et la prise en charge urologique du patient adulte atteint de dysraphisme spinal (spina bifida).

INTRODUCTION: Improved life expectancy and prenatal screening have changed the demographics of spina bifida (spinal dysraphism) which has presently become a disease of adulthood. Urinary disorders affect almost all patients with spinal dysraphism and are still the leading cause of mortality in these patients. The aim of this work was to establish recommendations for urological management that take into account the specificities of the spina bifida population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: National Diagnosis and Management Guidelines (PNDS) were drafted within the framework of the French Rare Diseases Plan at the initiative of the Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Spina Bifida - Dysraphismes of Rennes University Hospital. It is a collaborative work involving experts from different specialties, mainly urologists and rehabilitation physicians. We conducted a systematic search of the literature in French and English in the various fields covered by these recommendations in the MEDLINE database. In accordance with the methodology recommended by the authorities (Guide_methodologique_pnds.pdf, 2006), proposed recommendations were drafted on the basis of this literature review and then submitted to a review group until a consensus was reached. RESULTS: Bladder dysfunctions induced by spinal dysraphism are multiple and varied and evolve over time. Management must be individually adapted and take into account all the patient's problems, and is therefore necessarily multi-disciplinary. Self-catheterisation is the appropriate micturition method for more than half of the patients and must sometimes be combined with treatments aimed at suppressing any neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) or compliance alteration (anticholinergics, intra-detrusor botulinum toxin). Resort to surgery is sometimes necessary either after failure of non-invasive treatments (e.g. bladder augmentation in case of NDO resistant to pharmacological treatment), or as a first line treatment in the absence of other non-invasive alternatives (e.g. aponeurotic suburethral tape or artificial urinary sphincter for sphincter insufficiency; urinary diversion by ileal conduit if self-catheterisation is impossible). CONCLUSION: Spinal dysraphism is a complex pathology with multiple neurological, orthopedic, gastrointestinal and urological involvement. The management of bladder and bowel dysfunctions must continue throughout the life of these patients and must be integrated into a multidisciplinary context.

Neurogenic bladder in patients with paraplegia: a two-center study of the real-life experience of the patients' journey.

INTRODUCTION: Several patterns of urological dysfunctions have been described following spinal cord injury (SCI), depending on the level and the completeness of the injury. A better understanding of the natural history of neurogenic bladder in patients with SCI, and the description of their successive therapeutic lines based on their clinical and urodynamic pattern is needed to improve their management. This study aimed to describe the real-life successive therapeutic lines in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) following SCI. METHODS: We conducted a two-center retrospective review of medical files of patients with SCI followed in two French specialized departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation between January 2000 and January 2018. All patients with SCI with a level of lesion bellow T3 and older than 18 years old were eligible. The primary outcome was the description of the natural journey of neurogenic bladder in this population, from the awakening bladder contraction to the last therapeutic line. Survival curves were calculated with a 95-confidence interval using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: One hundred and five patients were included in this study. Most of the patients were young men with a complete SCI lesion. The median time of treatment introduction was 1 and 9 years for anticholinergics and intradetrusor injection of BoNT/A, respectively. Median duration of effect of treatments was 4 and 6 years post-introduction of anticholinergics and BoNT/A, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study describes NLUTD journey of patients with SCI demonstrating the mid-term efficacy of the two first therapeutic lines of NDO management. An improvement of non-surgical therapeutics is needed.

Long-term clinical and urodynamic effectiveness of augmentation ileocystoplasty with supra-trigonal cystectomy in individuals with spinal cord injury.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the long-term effectiveness of augmentation ileocystoplasty (AI) associated with supra-trigonal cystectomy on clinical and urodynamic variables, and the safety of the intervention in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-center, retrospective study of all patients with SCI who underwent AI with supra-trigonal cystectomy from January 1994, with a follow-up of more than 8 years. The primary outcome was the sustained long-term effectiveness of AI with supra-trigonal cystectomy on clinical and urodynamic variables. The secondary outcome was the long-term safety of this procedure. RESULTS: We included 77 patients: 57% were female, mean (SD) age was 52.0 (13.0) years, 77% had paraplegia, and median time since onset was 25.0 [19; 30] years. Long-term success rate (evaluated 13 [10; 15] years post AI) was 93.5% for urodynamic parameters and 76.6% for urinary incontinence. Results of the short- and long-term post-AI assessments did not differ for any urodynamic or clinical variables. Bladder lithiasis occurred in 20.5% of cases and ≥ 1 febrile urinary tract infection occurred in 55.8%, mostly within the first 2 years of follow-up. No cases of bladder cancer were diagnosed. CONCLUSION: AI associated with supra-trigonal cystectomy in patients with SCI is safe and effective in both the short term and long term. Regular urodynamic assessment is not necessary in clinically stable patients with low bladder risk; however, close monitoring is important because of the risk of urological complications.

Characterization of Surgical Tools for Specific Endovascular Navigation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to mechanically characterize a specific active guidewire and catheters that are commercially available, for further implementation into numerical simulation of endovascular navigation towards complex targets. METHODS: For the guidewire, 3-point bending tests and bending with added masses were used to obtain the Young moduli of its various components. To study its behavior, the guidewire was activated under "ideal" conditions and its performance was investigated. As for the various catheters, they were measured and 3-point bending tests were conducted to determine their mechanical properties. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: The Young moduli of the shaft and the distal tip of the guidewire were determined. We defined a suitable current intensity to activate the guidewire related to an optimal curvature. Then, the time of activation/deactivation was measured at 1.7 s. On the flip side, parts of the catheters were considered either elastic or viscoelastic. In all cases, the rigidity gradients along the various catheters were highlighted. The characterization of the aforementioned surgical tools provides the opportunity to simulate the endovascular nagivation process.

How to treat neurogenic bladder and sexual dysfunction after spinal cord lesion.

Neurogenic bladder and sexual dysfunction after spinal cord lesions are highly prevalent. The treatment algorithm for neurogenic bladder is well described. Clean intermittent self-catheterisation associated with treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity is the gold standard. Goals of treatment are twofold: i) control risk factors to avoid upper urinary tract complications, and ii) improve quality of life by treating incontinence when feasible. Lower urinary tract dysfunction is still a major cause of complications and hospitalisation. Sexual dysfunction must be addressed and treated and is at the top of patient expectations one year after injury.

Salivary Hemoglobin Protects against Erosive Tooth Wear in Gastric Reflux Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Saliva is the most important biological factor to protect against erosive tooth wear (ETW). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients have an increased risk of ETW due to the frequent presence of intrinsic acids in the oral cavity. Remarkably, not all GERD patients suffer from ETW, which might be due to differences in the composition of the saliva. METHODS: This study compared the proteomic profile of saliva in patients (1) with GERD and ETW (basic erosive wear examination, BEWE, score ≥9; GE group) and (2) with GERD without ETW (BEWE = 0; GNE group) using shotgun label-free quantitative proteomic analysis nLC-ESI-MS/MS. The ability of hemoglobin (Hb) to protect against initial enamel erosion caused by a daily 10-s immersion of enamel specimens in 0.01 M HCl (pH 2.3) for 3 days was evaluated in vitro for proof of concept. Surface hardness change was used as response variable. RESULTS: The differential expression of Hb subunits was significantly increased in the GNE group versus the GE group, in particular the Hb α-subunit that showed a >22-fold increase. Expressions of serum albumin (4.5-fold) and isoforms of cytoskeletal keratin type II (>3-fold) were also increased in the GNE group. Proteinase inhibitors, such as α1-antitrypsin and α2-macroglobulin, were only identified in the GNE group. In vitro, Hb (1.0 and 4.0 mg/mL) significantly reduced initial enamel erosion compared to a negative control after 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that many proteins, with special emphasis on Hb, may be involved in the resistance of GERD patients to the occurrence of ETW. These proteins may be candidates for inclusion in dental products to protect against ETW.

Determination of the internal piezoelectric potentials and indium concentration in InGaN based quantum wells grown on relaxed InGaN pseudo-substrates by off-axis electron holography.

Micro light emitting diodes have been grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy on standard GaN and partly relaxed InGaNOS substrates with the purpose of incorporating higher concentrations of indium for identical growth conditions. Green emission has been demonstrated at wavelengths of 500 nm for the GaN template and 525 and 549 nm for the InGaNOS substrates, respectively. The structure, deformation, indium concentration and piezoelectric potentials have been measured with nm-scale spatial resolution in the same specimens by transmission electron microscopy. We show by off-axis electron holography that the piezoelectric potential and information about the indium concentration from the mean inner potential are obtained simultaneously. By separating the components using a model, we show that for higher concentrations of indium in the quantum wells (QWs) grown on InGaNOS substrates, the piezoelectric potentials are reduced. The measurements of the indium concentrations by electron holography have been verified by combining energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry, x-ray diffraction and from the tensile deformation made by precession electron diffraction. A discussion of the limitations of these advanced aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy techniques when applied to nm-scale QW structures is given.