Autonomic neuropathy in dialysis patients - investigations with a new symptom score (COMPASS 31).

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of autonomic neuropathy (AN) are common in patients with diabetes and advanced renal disease. As yet different domains of autonomic neuropathy cannot be detected by a singular laboratory or invasive test. COMPASS 31, a new self-assessment test, has shown reliable results not only in cardiac autonomic neuropathy but also in different sub-domains when judging manifestation of AN by scores. METHODS: One hundred eighty-three patients with or without diabetes were enrolled, one hundred nineteen of them were treated with permanent dialysis therapy (HD), sixty-four patients served as controls (eGFR > 60 ml/min.) Using COMPASS 31 different symptoms of AN were assessed (orthostatic intolerance, vasomotor, secretomotor, gastrointestinal, bladder, pupillomotor changes) and transferred into AN-scores. RESULTS: AN was more pronounced in dialysis patients compared with controls (AN-score 27,5 vs. 10,0; p < 0,01). These differences were present also in every sub-domain of AN (orthostatic intolerance, vasomotor, secretomotor, gastrointestinal, bladder, pupillomotor changes; p < 0,05 for all sub-domains). In diabetic patients there was a strong correlation between symptoms of AN and diabetes duration (correlation coefficient r = 0,45, p < 0,001). Current glycemic control (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), sex, and height had no influence on AN when comparing dialysis patients and controls. C-reactive protein (CRP) showed a positive linear correlation with AN-scores (correlation coefficient r = 0,21; p < 0,05). CONCLUSION: Symptoms of AN are more pronounced in dialysis patients not only in total but also in all different domains of neuropathic changes. Longlasting diabetic disease promotes development of AN, as duration of diabetes was positively correlated with AN. Future longitudinal studies might help to identify the high cardiovascular and mortality risk in dialysis patients by the easy-to-use COMPASS 31 without need of invasive and time-spending methods for diagnosing AN.

Evaluation of transurethral GreenLight laser-selective vaporization for refractory overactive bladder in women.

Background: Refractory overactive bladder (OAB) in women is a common yet challenging condition for which traditional treatments have been unsatisfactory. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transurethral bladder mucosal GreenLight laser-selective vaporization for treating refractory OAB in women. Methods: The female patients with refractory OAB who were admitted to the Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University between May 2022 and July 2023 were examined retrospectively in this study. Transurethral bladder mucosal GreenLight laser-selective vaporization was used to treat the patients, and the perioperative and postoperative parameters were reviewed and compared. Bladder mucosa was examined by immunohistochemical staining to explore the expressions of TRPV1, P2X3, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) before and after treatments. Results: Surgeries were performed successfully for all 32 patients in 57.38±11.22 minutes with minimal intraoperative bleeding. Twelve weeks post-surgery, there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the patients' Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), 3-day bladder diary (daytime frequency, nocturia, urgency, and urgency incontinence), and Overactive Bladder questionnaire Short Form (OAB-qSF) score. After treatments, both first desire to void (FDV) and maximum bladder pressure capacity (MCBC) increased significantly (P<0.05). The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the GreenLight laser significantly reduced the expressions of TRPV1, P2X3, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the bladder mucosa (P<0.05). No severe complications were observed after interventions. Conclusions: For female patients with refractory OAB who have shown poor response to conventional treatment approaches, transurethral bladder mucosal GreenLight laser-selective vaporization may represent a promising alternative treatment option.

Effect of nocturia in patients with different severity of obstructive sleep apnea on polysomnography: A retrospective observational study.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the etiologies of nocturia. We analyzed polysomnography (PSG) results to determine correlated factors related to nocturia in OSA patients with different severity. Methods: Patients with suspected OSA were examined using PSG. They were divided into two groups based on the presence of nocturia. Nocturia was defined as a patient who needed to void at least once. Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was employed to classify patients according to degrees of severity: AHI<5 events/h, 5 events/h≤AHI<15 events/h, 15 events/h≤AHI<30 events/h, and AHI≥30 events/h, defined as normal, mild OSA, moderate OSA, and severe OSA, respectively. Demographic variables, PSG parameters, International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSSs), and quality of life scores due to urinary symptoms were analyzed. Results: In total 140 patients, 114 patients had OSA (48 had mild OSA; 34 had moderate OSA; and 32 had severe OSA) and 107 patients had nocturia. The total IPSS was significantly higher in nocturia patients in all groups except the group of severe OSA patients. With the increasing severity of OSA, more correlated factors related to nocturia were determined. In mild OSA patients, nocturia related to increased age (p=0.025), minimum arterial blood oxygenation saturation (p=0.046), and decreased AHI of non-rapid eye movement (p=0.047), AHI of total sleep time (p=0.010), and desaturation index (p=0.012). In moderate OSA patients, nocturia related to increased age (p<0.001), awake time (p=0.025), stage 1 sleep (p=0.033), and sleep latency (p=0.033), and decreased height (p=0.044), weight (p=0.025), and sleep efficiency (p=0.003). In severe OSA patients, nocturia related to increased weight (p=0.011), body mass index (p=0.009), awake time (p=0.008), stage 1 sleep (p=0.040), arousal number (p=0.030), arousal index (p=0.013), periodic limb movement number (p=0.013), and periodic limb movement index (p=0.004), and decreased baseline arterial blood oxygenation saturation (p=0.046). Conclusion: Our study revealed that there were more correlated factors related to nocturia with increasing severity of OSA. This study helps in clinical education and treatment for OSA patients with different severity.

Systematic evaluation and meta-analysis of Flunarizine Hydrochloride combined with traditional Chinese medicine decoction in the treatment of migraine headaches.

OBJECTIVES: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and superiority of Flunarizine Hydrochloride when combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Decoctions in treating migraine headaches. METHOD: The authors conducted a comprehensive search for clinical Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) investigating the combination of Flunarizine Hydrochloride with Chinese herbal decoctions in treating migraines. The databases searched included CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, WOI, Cochrane Library, and Embase, covering the period from January 1, 2019, to November 10, 2023. Two independent researchers meticulously screened, extracted, and assessed the relevant data, employing the Revman 5.3 software for meta-analysis. RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed that, in comparison to Flunarizine Hydrochloride used in isolation, the combination with Chinese herbal decoctions markedly enhanced the effective rate (RR = 1.26, 95 % CI [1.18, 1.34], p < 0.0001). Moreover, significant improvements were observed in the TCM symptom score (MD = 4.97, 95 % CI [-6.74, -3.19], p < 0.00001). The observation group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in endothelin levels compared to the control group (I2 = 85 %, MD = -13.66, 95 % CI [-17.87, -9.45], p = 0.0001). The observation group showed a significant reduction in NRS scores compared to the control group, indicating better outcomes (I2 = 95 %, MD = -2.11, 95 % CI [-3.09, -1.12], p < 0.0001). The observation group was superior to the control group in terms of the reduction in the number of episodes (I2 = 63 %, MD = -1.16, 95 % CI [-1.45, -0.87], p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The confluence of Flunarizine Hydrochloride with traditional Chinese medicine decoctions in treating migraine patients demonstrated substantial clinical efficacy and improvement in TCM symptom score over the use of Flunarizine Hydrochloride alone.

Deep abdominal breathing reduces heart rate and symptoms during orthostatic challenge in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of deep abdominal breathing on cardiovascular parameters and symptoms in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) during head-up tilt-table (HUT) challenge. METHODS: Thirty POTS patients completed two consecutive rounds of 10-min HUT in a crossover design. One round was HUT without intervention, and one round combined the HUT with deep breathing at a rate of 6 breaths/min. Cardiovascular parameters, including mean blood pressure and maximum and mean heart rate (HR), were measured supine and standing. Symptoms were assessed using the Vanderbilt Orthostatic Symptom Score (VOSS). RESULTS: During the breathing technique, the mean HR increase was -7.35 bpm (95% confidence interval [CI] = -11.71 to -2.98), and the maximum HR increase was -6.27 bpm (95% CI = -11.85 to -0.68, p = 0.041), significantly lower compared to normal breathing. Additionally, improvements were observed in all absolute cardiovascular parameters during standing, with VOSS symptoms simultaneously and significantly decreasing by -5.38 (95% CI = -10.43 to -0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Slow deep abdominal breathing can act as a simple technique to reduce the standing HR increase upon HUT in patients with POTS. This suggests that modulation of the cardiopulmonary neurocircuits and the respiratory pump may reduce HR increase and symptoms in patients with POTS. The findings of this study highlight the use of a safe, zero-cost, and simple behavioral tool to suggest to POTS patients for symptom relief apart from standard treatment. The observed improvements in cardiovascular parameters and symptoms offer a promising therapeutic approach for patients in times of inadequate treatment options.

Development of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency Patient-Reported Outcome Measure for Clinical Practice and Research.

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to recognize vitamin B12 deficiency and to evaluate the effect of B12 treatment due to a broad range of variable clinical symptoms overlapping with other diseases and diagnostic biomarkers that quickly normalize during treatment. This poses a risk of delay in diagnosis and a challenge to uniformly monitor the effect of B12 treatment. There is a need for a new clinical outcome measure suitable for clinical practice and clinical evaluation studies. OBJECTIVE: To develop a Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) which measures the severity of vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. METHODS: The B12 PROM was developed by (1) gathering input from experts and literature review to define a construct and develop a conceptual model, (2) processing input from health care providers, scientists, and patients to develop items and response options, and (3) improving items based on the feedback from laypersons, test interviews, semi-structured cognitive interviews with patients, and forward and backward translation (ENG-NL). RESULTS: The B12 PROM includes 62 items grouped into 8 categories of symptoms related to vitamin B12 deficiency (General, Senses, Thinking, In limbs and/or face, Movement, Emotions, Mouth & Abdomen, Urinary tract & Reproductive organs). Cognitive interviews demonstrated good comprehensibility and comprehensiveness. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first step in the development of a disease-specific PROM for vitamin B12 deficiency to measure the burden of symptoms. Further validation and reliability testing are necessary before the PROM can be applied in clinical practice and research.

Plain language titleDevelopment of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency Questionnaire for Clinical Practice and ResearchPlain language summaryThis study is the first step in the development of a questionnaire for vitamin B12 deficiency to measure the severity of vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. The questionnaire includes 62 items grouped into 8 categories of symptoms related to vitamin B12 deficiency (General, Senses, Thinking, In limbs and/or face, Movement, Emotions, Mouth & Abdomen, Urinary tract & Reproductive organs). Interviews with patients demonstrated good comprehensibility and comprehensiveness of the questionnaire. Further testing is necessary before the questionnaire can be applied in clinical practice and research.

Efficacy and Safety of Combination Therapy With Vaginal and Urethral Erbium-Doped Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Er:YAG) Laser for Overactive Bladder With Urinary Incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective cohort study with propensity score (PS) matching aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination therapy with vaginal and urethral erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser (VEL+UEL) (SP Dynamis; Fotona d.o.o., Ljubljana, Slovenia) in the treatment of overactive bladder with urinary incontinence (OAB-wet). METHODS: The study included female OAB-wet patients aged 65 and above who were already taking OAB medication. Data obtained from electronic medical records were subjected to propensity score matching. All patients received instructions on pelvic floor exercises and were prescribed an appropriate dose of OAB medication. The VEL+UEL group (n=30) underwent three monthly laser sessions, while the control group (n=30) did not receive the treatment. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF), three-day urination diary, and Vaginal Health Index Score (VHIS). Medication usage and adverse events were also assessed. Statistical analysis and R code were performed using the AI chatbot GPT-4.0. RESULTS: The VEL+UEL group showed significant improvements in OABSS score, ICIQ-SF score, voided volume, daytime frequency, nocturia, and VHIS after 12 months of treatment (p<0.001). Notably, 13.3% of patients transitioned from OAB-wet to OAB-dry. In contrast, the control group did not exhibit significant changes. Medication use was significantly reduced in the VEL+UEL group compared to the control group (p<0.001). No long-term side effects were reported. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy with VEL+UEL demonstrated efficacy and safety in the treatment of OAB-wet. Improvements in OAB symptoms, voided volume, frequency, nocturia, and vaginal health were observed, with a subset of patients transitioning to OAB-dry. VEL+UEL therapy offers a potential treatment option for OAB-wet, reducing medication use and improving patient outcomes. Further research is warranted to investigate the mechanism, long-term effects, safety, and cost-effectiveness of VEL+UEL therapy.

Unsupervised Machine Learning Reveals a Vulvodynia-Predominant Subtype in Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis.

Background Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is a chronic condition characterized by pelvic pain and urinary symptoms. Despite its significant impact on patients' quality of life, the heterogeneity of BPS/IC symptoms and the presence of comorbidities such as vulvodynia may not be adequately captured by validated questionnaires. Identifying vulvodynia in BPS/IC patients is crucial for providing appropriate treatment options. This study aimed to identify subtypes of BPS/IC patients using unsupervised machine learning and to investigate the prevalence of vulvodynia in each subtype. Methods We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of 123 BPS/IC patients and 64 age-matched controls. Hierarchical clustering was performed using data from validated questionnaires, including the Numerical Rating Scale-11, Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI), Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI), Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency scores, Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OABq SF), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20. The optimal number of clusters was determined using the elbow method, and the characteristics of each cluster were analyzed. All participants underwent a vulvodynia swab test to assess vulvodynia symptoms. Results Unsupervised machine learning revealed three distinct clusters of BPS/IC patients. Clusters 0 and 2 differed significantly, with Cluster 2 characterized by significantly higher vulvodynia scores compared to other clusters (P < 0.001). In contrast, Cluster 2 had lower bladder pain scores (ICSI and ICPI) and overactive bladder symptom scores (OABq SF and OABSS) compared to other clusters. Clusters 0 and 1 were characterized by a predominance of bladder pain and urinary frequency symptoms, with Cluster 0 exhibiting more severe symptoms. Conclusions Our study identified distinct subtypes of BPS/IC patients using unsupervised machine learning, with Cluster 2 representing a vulvodynia-predominant subtype. This finding, along with the potential of targeted therapies such as non-ablative erbium YAG laser for vulvodynia, underscores the importance of assessing extravesical symptoms, particularly vulvodynia, for the diagnosis and treatment of BPS/IC. A tailored approach, including laser therapy for vulvodynia-predominant patients, may be necessary for optimal management of BPS/IC. The vulvodynia swab test plays a crucial role in assessing vulvodynia symptoms, underlining the limitations of validated questionnaires in capturing the full spectrum of BPS/IC symptoms. A comprehensive evaluation of patients, including the vulvodynia swab test, is essential for accurate subtyping and management of BPS/IC. Further research with larger sample sizes and investigation of the relationship between identified subtypes and other clinical data is warranted to advance our understanding and management of BPS/IC.

Association of detrusor wall thickness (DWT) with lower urinary tract symptom severity in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a cross-sectional study.

Background and objective: Benign prostatic hyperplasia manifests as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and prostate gland enlargement, leading to bladder outlet obstruction with consequent structural and functional impacts on the bladder. Urodynamic studies are resource-intensive and invasive. Detrusor wall thickness (DWT) assessment offers a cost-effective, reproducible alternative for evaluating LUTS severity in males with bladder outlet obstruction, utilizing ultrasonographic examination. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study, conducted at a tertiary care center from May 2023 to January 2024, included 171 patients with LUTS who underwent transabdominal ultrasound for DWT measurements. LUTS severity, assessed using International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS) classified participants into mild and moderate-to-severe symptom groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient assessed the association between DWT and IPSS, and an independent sample t-test compared means, using a significance level of 5% (P-value ≤0.05). Results: This study involved participants aged 65.01±11.55 years with an IPSS score ranging from 1 to 35, with a mean for mild and moderate-to-severe symptom groups were 4±2.12 and 15.93±6.74, respectively. DWT mean of 1.64±0.38 mm for mild, and 2.4±0.43 mm for moderate to severe symptoms. Pearson's correlation (r=0.697, n=171, P<0.001) indicated a strong DWT-LUTS correlation and a significant DWT mean difference between mild and moderate-to-severe symptom groups was found via an independent t-test (P<0.001, 95% CI: -0.8970 to -0.6414). Conclusion: The study establishes the value of transabdominal ultrasound-detected DWT as a cost-effective, noninvasive, and reproducible tool for assessing LUTS severity in males with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Enhancing the Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: The Role of Electronic Health Record Patient Portal Distribution of the International Prostate Symptom Score.

INTRODUCTION: Recent AUA guidelines for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) recommend routine collection of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) data, but routine collection can be challenging to fully implement. We investigated the impact of distributing the IPSS by electronic patient portal (EPP) on IPSS completion and its impact on BPH management. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, longitudinal study of men undergoing a new patient visit (NPV) for BPH at our academic medical center. From September 2019 to November 2022, we identified patients undergoing an NPV for BPH. Prior to January 2021, the IPSS was collected in person at NPVs via paper forms; afterwards, the IPSS was distributed before the NPV using the EPP. Our primary outcome was IPSS completion; secondary outcomes were new BPH medications and BPH surgery ordered within 6 months. RESULTS: We identified 485 patients who underwent an NPV for BPH. EPP implementation significantly increased IPSS questionnaire completion (36.5% vs 56.9%, P < .0001). Following EPP implementation, we found that new BPH medications ordered at time of NPV decreased (10.4% vs 4.7%, P = .02). Although BPH surgery ordered within 6 months was similar, patients following EPP implementation had shorter time to BPH surgery compared to prior. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that EPP distribution of the IPSS improves IPSS collection compliance, aligning our practice closer with AUA guidelines. Routine collection of the IPSS may impact clinical practice through the detection of more severe BPH, which reduces medical BPH management and time to definitive BPH therapy. Further work is needed to confirm findings.

Comparative efficacy and safety of alpha-blockers as monotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Despite the availability of various drugs for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), alpha(α)-blockers are the preferred first-line treatment. However, there remains a scarcity of direct comparisons among various α-blockers. Therefore, this network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of α-blockers in the management of BPH. A comprehensive electronic search covered PubMed, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library until August 2023. The primary endpoints comprised international prostate symptom score (IPSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax), quality of life (QoL), and post-void residual volume (PVR), while treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were considered as secondary endpoints. This NMA synthesized evidence from 22 studies covering 3371 patients with six kinds of α-blockers with 12 dose categories. IPSS has been considerably improved by tamsulosin 0.4 mg, naftopidil 50 mg and silodosin 8 mg as compared to the placebo. Based on the p-score, tamsulosin 0.4 mg had the highest probability of ranking for IPSS, PVR, and Qmax, whereas doxazosin 8 mg had the highest probability of improving QoL. A total of 297 adverse events were reported among all the α-blockers, silodosin has reported a notable number of TEAEs. Current evidence supports α-blockers are effective in IPSS reduction and are considered safer. Larger sample size with long-term studies are needed to refine estimates of IPSS, QoL, PVR, and Qmax outcomes in α-blocker users.

Therapeutic strategies for uncomplicated cystitis in women.

Uncomplicated cystitis is affecting many women of all ages and has a great impact on the quality of life, especially in women suffering from recurrent, uncomplicated cystitis. By far the most frequent uropathogen, E. coli, may have acquired increasing resistance against a variety of oral antibiotics, which may differ between countries and regions. Therefore, local resistance data are important to be considered. On the other hand, non-antibiotic therapy has also become an option which should be discussed and offered to the patient. In patients suffering from recurrent uncomplicated cystitis, individual risk factors and possible behavioral changes should first be taken into account. Non-antimicrobial prophylactic strategies shown to be successful in well-designed clinical studies are the next options. Long term antibiotic prophylaxis, however, should only be considered as a last option. For some of those patients self-diagnosis and self-treatment may be suitable, e.g. by using a recognized questionnaire.

Relationships between the global symptom score and electrophysiological findings after surgical release for carpal tunnel syndrome: Indications and outcomes.

PURPOSE: Regarding surgical indications for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the hypothesis that the recovery processes of subjective symptoms differ among pain, sensory, and motor symptoms and correlate with recovery in objective nerve conduction studies was examined in the present study. METHODS: The global symptom score (GSS) is a method used to assess clinical outcomes and covers subjective symptoms, including pain (pain and nocturnal awakening), sensory (numbness and paresthesia), and motor (weakness/clumsiness) symptoms. The relationships between long-term changes in GSS and recovery in nerve conduction studies were investigated. RESULTS: Forty patients (40 hands) were included (mean age 65 years; 80% female; 68% with moderate CTS: sensory nerve conduction velocity < 45 m/s and motor nerve distal latency > 4.5 ms). Pain and nocturnal awakening rapidly subsided within 1 month after surgery and did not recur in the long term (median 5.6 years). Paresthesia significantly decreased 3 months after surgery and in the long term thereafter. Weakness/clumsiness significantly decreased at 1 year. Sensory nerve distal latency, conduction velocity, and amplitude significantly improved 3 months and 1 year after surgery, and correlated with nocturnal awakening in the short term (3 months) in moderate CTS cases. The patient satisfaction rate was 91%. CONCLUSION: Rapid recovery was observed in pain and nocturnal awakening, of which nocturnal awakening correlated with the recovery of sensory nerve conduction velocity. Patients with pain symptoms due to moderate CTS may benefit from surgical release.

The impact of whole-process visualization collaborative nursing discussions education on perioperative symptoms and emotional well-being in radical prostatectomy patients.

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant neoplasms in elderly males, with radical prostatectomy being the established therapeutic approach for localized disease. Patients undergoing this surgical procedure frequently experience increased negative emotions and symptomatology during the perioperative period, likely due to concerns about the illness and its treatment. The present study aims to investigate the effects of a novel educational approach involving a whole-process visualization and collaborative nursing discussions on perioperative symptoms and emotional well-being in radical prostatectomy patients. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected from 310 patients admitted to the hospital between June 2021 and December 2023, all of whom were scheduled to undergo radical prostatectomy. These patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving new model education) or the control group (receiving conventional education), with 155 patients in each group. The study compared basic demographic information, anxiety and depression scores, fear of disease progression scores, quality-of-life scores, main symptom scores, and changes in perioperative vital signs between the two groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, comorbidities, insurance type, education level, income, and tumor history (P > 0.05). Similarly, there were no significant differences in anxiety and depression scores, proportion of patients with anxiety and depression, vital signs, and fear of disease progression scores between the two groups at Time 1 stage (P > 0.05). During stages Time 2 and Time 3, the intervention group exhibited lower anxiety and depression scores, a lower proportion of anxious and depressed patients, as well as significantly reduced blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Following radical prostatectomy, the main symptoms of patients, such as pain, nausea, and fatigue, were assessed using the MADIS Symptom Assessment Scale on days 1-3 post-surgery. The intervention group exhibited significantly lower scores for three symptoms compared to the control group (P < 0.05); at Time 4 stage, the patients in the intervention group also demonstrated significantly improved quality-of-life scores compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, blood pressure and heart rate of patients returned to baseline levels at Time 4 stage, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, the anxiety and depression scores in the intervention group at the Time 4 stage remained significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the fear of disease progression scores in both groups were lower than those at the Time 1 stage, with a more pronounced improvement observed in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients diagnosed with malignant tumors often experience fear and anxiety regarding the progression of their disease and upcoming surgery, as well as uncertainty surrounding their treatment and prognosis. This heightened emotional distress can contribute to a greater symptom burden during the perioperative period. Utilizing a whole-process visualization and collaborative nursing discussion approach, as compared to traditional communication methods, has been shown to alleviate patients' fears, reduce anxiety and depression, and ultimately lessen the symptom burden experienced during the perioperative phase. Ultimately, this approach can enhance the overall quality of life for patients facing malignant tumors.

Impact of Polypharmacy and Risk Factors for Exacerbation of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Urological Conditions: A Retrospective Study in a Japanese Municipal Hospital.

Polypharmacy exacerbates lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Japan exhibits a higher prevalence of concomitant medication use in drug therapy than other countries. Previous age- and sex-specific reports exist; however, none include patients of all ages. Therefore, this retrospective study determined the impact of polypharmacy and its associated risk factors on LUTS exacerbation in outpatients with urological conditions. We included patients receiving medication who visited the Department of Urology at the Gifu Municipal Hospital (Gifu, Japan) between January, 2018 and December, 2018. The association between LUTS and polypharmacy and the risk factors for LUTS exacerbation were investigated. Patients were categorized into two groups according to their polypharmacy status. We performed propensity score matching and compared the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) between the groups using the unpaired t-test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the risk factors, including "polypharmacy" and "taking multiple anticholinergic medications" for LUTS exacerbation. When comparing the IPSS between the groups, the polypharmacy group was found to have significantly higher scores than the non-polypharmacy group in six items, including "total score" and "storage score." Multiple logistic regression analysis results showed high significance in three items, including "polypharmacy" (odds ratio (OR) = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-2.71) and "taking multiple anticholinergic medications" (OR = 8.68, 95% CI: 1.05-71.7). In conclusion, this study revealed that "polypharmacy" and "taking multiple anticholinergic medications" were risk factors for LUTS. Particularly, "polypharmacy" is associated with storage symptom exacerbation. Therefore, eliminating "polypharmacy" and "taking multiple anticholinergic medications" is expected to improve LUTS.

Turkish validation of the chronic orchialgia symptom index and its association with the visual analog scale.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a translation and validation study of the Chronic Orchialgia Symptom Index (COSI), which has 12 questions in three domains pain (P), sexual symptoms (SS), and quality of life (QoL), in the Turkish language. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included a total of 175 patients diagnosed with chronic scrotal content pain (CSCP) between January 2023 and January 2024. In addition to demographic data, the scores obtained on the COSI questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were recorded. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach alpha coefficients. Reliability was evaluated using the test-retest correlation method. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 37.2 ± 14.1 years and the median (IQR) duration of pain was 5.5 (9) months. The median total COSI score was determined as 13 (13) and the median subscores were 7 (7) for P, 1 (2) for SS, and 5 (6) for QoL. The test-retest correlation coefficient for each item was determined to be higher than r = 0.80 (p < 0.001). The Cronbach alpha values for the subscores were 0.80 for P, 0.71 for SS, and 0.80 for QoL. There was determined to be a statistically significant positive correlation between the VAS score and the COSI P, SS, QoL, and total scores (r: 0.63, p < 0.001; r = 0.32, p < 0.001; r = 0.56, p < 0.001; r = 0.59, p < 0.001, respectively). The optimal cutoff point of the COSI total score was determined to be 16.5 points (AUC:0.77, p < 0.001) for the determination of patients experiencing severe pain (⩾ 7.5) according to the VAS score. CONCLUSION: The Turkish version of the COSI questionnaire is a valid, reliable, and repeatable questionnaire that can be used to evaluate the effects of symptom severity in patients with CSCP.

Urinary tract symptoms that should be improved to enhance post-operative urinary quality of life in patients treated with low-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer: An importance-performance analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate international prostate symptom score and urinary quality of life in patients with prostate cancer who underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy, and to identify lower urinary tract symptoms that must be improved to enhance post-operative urinary quality of life and factors associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. Material and methods: This study included 193 patients who underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy alone (145 Gy). Importance-performance analysis was conducted to identify lower urinary tract symptoms that should be prioritized to improve urinary quality of life. Association between lower urinary tract symptom scores and each factor was investigated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate dosimetric parameters related to lower urinary tract symptom score to predict an average score of ≥ 3. Cut-off values were determined. Results: One to nine months post-implantation was a period of significantly increased urinary quality of life scores compared with baseline (p < 0.05 each). The importance-performance analysis conducted for 1-9 months revealed that frequency, nocturia, and weak stream required improvement. Multivariate analysis showed that each lower urinary tract symptom score presented a significant association with its baseline value (p < 0.001 each, positive correlation). Frequency, incomplete emptying, urgency, and straining scores were significantly associated with prostate volume, whereas weak stream and intermittency scores were associated with dose covering 90% of the prostate and dose covering 90% of the urethra, respectively (p < 0.05 each, positive correlations). Cut-off values for these doses were 167.01 Gy and 136.84 Gy, respectively. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of prioritizing specific lower urinary tract symptoms for improvement in post-operative urinary quality of life, and identifies the associated factors that can help in personalized treatment planning and goal-setting for better patient satisfaction.

Evaluating the Practicality of Causal Inference From Non-randomized Observational Data in Small-Scale Clinical Settings: A Study on the Effects of Ninjin'yoeito.

Objective The primary goal of this study was to demonstrate the practical application of causal inference using non-randomized observational data, adapting this approach to smaller populations, such as those in hospitals or community healthcare. This adaptation seeks a more effective and practical research method than randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with the goal of revealing novel insights unexplored by traditional research and enhancing understanding within the realm of causal inference. Methods This study evaluated the effects of Ninjin'yoeito (NYT), a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine, on Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) and the frailty scores. Employing new statistical methods, this study sought to illustrate the efficacy of estimating causal relationships from non-randomized data in a clinical setting. The database included 985 women aged 65-90 years who visited a clinic between November 2016 and November 2022. By utilizing various statistical techniques, including regression analysis, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), instrumental variable (IV), and difference-in-differences (DiD) analysis, this study aimed to provide insights beyond traditional methods, attempting to bridge the gap between theory and practice in causal inference. Results After applying propensity score matching, the NYT treatment group (220 participants) and non-treatment group (182 participants) were each adjusted to two groups of 159 individuals. NYT significantly improved OABSS and frailty scores. IPTW analysis highlighted that on average, the NYT treatment group showed an improvement of 0.8671 points in OABSS and 0.1339 points in the frailty scores, surpassing the non-treatment group (p<0.05). IV analysis indicated that NYT treatment is predicted to increase ΔOABSS by an average of approximately 4.86 points, highlighting its significant positive impact on OABSS improvement. The DiD analysis showed that the NYT treatment group demonstrated an average improvement of 0.5457 points in OABSS, which was significantly higher than that of the control group. The adjusted R² value for the model is 0.025. Conclusion This study successfully implemented a practical application of causal inference using non-randomized observational data in a relatively small population. NYT showed a significant improvement in OABSS and vulnerability, and this result was confirmed using a new statistical method. The relatively low adjusted R² of the model suggests the existence of other unmeasured variables that influence OABSS and vulnerability improvement. In particular, the use of diverse statistical techniques, including IPTW, IV, and DiD analysis, is an important step toward revealing the effectiveness of inferring causal relationships from non-randomized data and narrowing the gap between theory and practice. This study provides a valid and practical alternative to RCTs and reveals new insights that have not been explored in traditional research.

Lower urinary tract symptoms in men: the TRIUMPH cluster RCT.

Background: Conservative therapies are recommended as initial treatment for male lower urinary tract symptoms. However, there is a lack of evidence on effectiveness and uncertainty regarding approaches to delivery. Objective: The objective was to determine whether or not a standardised and manualised care intervention delivered in primary care achieves superior symptomatic outcome for lower urinary tract symptoms to usual care. Design: This was a two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial. Setting: The trial was set in 30 NHS general practice sites in England. Participants: Participants were adult men (aged ≥ 18 years) with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms. Interventions: Sites were randomised 1 : 1 to deliver the TReatIng Urinary symptoms in Men in Primary Health care using non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions trial intervention or usual care to all participants. The TReatIng Urinary symptoms in Men in Primary Health care using non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions intervention comprised a standardised advice booklet developed for the trial from the British Association of Urological Surgeons' patient information sheets, with patient and expert input. Patients were directed to relevant sections by general practice or research nurses/healthcare assistants following urinary symptom assessment, providing the manualised element. The healthcare professional provided follow-up contacts over 12 weeks to support adherence to the intervention. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was the validated patient-reported International Prostate Symptom Score 12 months post consent. Rather than the minimal clinically important difference of 3.0 points for overall International Prostate Symptom Score, the sample size aimed to detect a difference of 2.0 points, owing to the recognised clinical impact of individual symptoms. Results: A total of 1077 men consented to the study: 524 in sites randomised to the intervention arm (n = 17) and 553 in sites randomised to the control arm (n = 13). A difference in mean International Prostate Symptom Score at 12 months was found (adjusted mean difference of -1.81 points, 95% confidence interval -2.66 to -0.95 points), with a lower score in the intervention arm, indicating less severe symptoms. Secondary outcomes of patient-reported urinary symptoms, quality of life specific to lower urinary tract symptoms and perception of lower urinary tract symptoms all showed evidence of a difference between the arms favouring the intervention. No difference was seen between the arms in the proportion of urology referrals or adverse events. In qualitative interviews, participants welcomed the intervention, describing positive effects on their symptoms, as well as on their understanding of conservative care and their attitude towards the experience of lower urinary tract symptoms. The interviews highlighted that structured, in-depth self-management is insufficiently embedded within general practitioner consultations. From an NHS perspective, mean costs and quality-adjusted life-years were similar between trial arms. The intervention arm had slightly lower mean costs (adjusted mean difference of -£29.99, 95% confidence interval -£109.84 to £22.63) than the usual-care arm, and a small gain in quality-adjusted life-years (adjusted mean difference of 0.001, 95% confidence interval -0.011 to 0.014). Conclusions: The intervention showed a small, sustained benefit for men's lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life across a range of outcome measures in a UK primary care setting. Qualitative data showed that men highly valued the intervention. Intervention costs were marginally lower than usual-care costs. Limitations of the study included that trial participants were unmasked, with limited diversity in ethnicity and deprivation level. Additional research is needed to assess the applicability of the intervention for a more ethnically diverse population.. Trial registration: This trial is registered as ISRCTN11669964. Funding: This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: 16/90/03) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 28, No. 13. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Urinary problems among men become more common with age. Nearly one-third of all men aged > 65 years experience some urinary symptoms, which can have a substantial effect on their daily lives. Symptoms include needing to pass urine more often, urgently or during the night, and difficulties in passing urine. Men are usually diagnosed and treated by their general practitioner, and should be offered advice on controlling their symptoms themselves (e.g. lifestyle changes and exercises) before trying tablets or surgery. However, it is not known how helpful such advice is, and how general practices can effectively provide it. Thirty general practices in the West of England and Wessex took part in the study. Practices were split into two groups, with each practice providing either the TReatIng Urinary symptoms in Men in Primary Health care using non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions care package or the practice's usual care to all of its patients in the trial. The TReatIng Urinary symptoms in Men in Primary Healthcare using nonpharmacological and non-surgical interventions care package included a booklet of advice to help control urinary symptoms, with a nurse or healthcare assistant directing men to relevant sections according to their symptoms, and providing follow-up contacts. We mainly assessed the benefits of the TReatIng Urinary symptoms in Men in Primary Healthcare using nonpharmacological and non-surgical interventions care package, compared with usual care, by using a questionnaire on urinary symptoms completed by participants. A total of 1077 men with urinary symptoms that bothered them joined the study. The main result was that men reported greater improvement in urinary symptoms with the TRIUMPH care package than with usual care, 12 months after joining the study. We also found that men receiving the TRIUMPH care package had a slight improvement in quality of life and outlook on their urinary symptoms. There was no difference between the two groups in the number of patients referred to hospital for treatment, the type, number and severity of side effects or cost to the NHS. Overall, the TRIUMPH care package was more effective in treating men with urinary symptoms than usual care by their general practice.

Evaluating the Diagnostic Potential of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Adiponectin in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) presents a formidable health challenge in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. This study in eastern Uttar Pradesh aims to assess the roles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and adiponectin in DPN, recognizing the crucial need for understanding its molecular underpinnings for enhanced diagnosis and management. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study analyzing clinical and biochemical data, 86 individuals aged 35 to 65 years were examined, including 43 with neuropathy and 43 without. Neuropathy assessment included the neuropathy symptom score (NSS), diabetes neuropathy examination (DNE) score, and nerve conduction studies. Levels of VEGF and adiponectin were correlated with motor nerve amplitude, NSS, and DNE scores. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis gauged diagnostic potential, and logistic regression assessed predictors for DPN. RESULTS: Patients with neuropathy exhibited significantly elevated VEGF levels compared to those without, while adiponectin showed no significant difference. VEGF demonstrated a negative correlation with motor nerve amplitude and a positive correlation with NSS and DNE scores. ROC analysis revealed strong diagnostic capability for VEGF (area under the curve: 0.807). NSS and DNE scores indicated good and moderate diagnostic accuracy, respectively. In logistic regression analysis, VEGF emerged as the sole significant predictor (odds ratio: 1.11, 95% CI (1.03, 1.20), p = 0.0092). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest VEGF's potential as a biomarker for diagnosing DPN in T2DM, associated with neuropathy severity. Adiponectin showed no significant association. The study underscores NSS and DNE scores' therapeutic relevance as valid neuropathy assessment tools.