Increasing Role of the Advanced Practice Provider in Men's Health Clinics: An Analysis of Medicare and Commercial Claims in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: As urological care delivery in the U.S. continues to evolve to meet patient needs, we aim to clarify the role of advanced practice providers for publicly and privately insured patients in the treatment of male urological conditions commonly encountered in men's health clinics. METHODS: Medicare and commercial insurance claims from the Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary and Merative MarketScan Commercial Database were queried for procedures submitted by advanced practice providers between 2010 and 2021. Common urological conditions were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes and grouped into 4 categories: testicular hypofunction, erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and scrotal pain. The proportion of procedures submitted by advanced practice providers was calculated for each year and category. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2021, the proportion of advanced practice provider-submitted service counts for each condition within the MarketScan group increased up to 5-fold, with benign prostatic hyperplasia representing the greatest growth. The proportion of advanced practice provider-submitted service counts within the Medicare group increased up to 8-fold, with erectile dysfunction/Peyronie's disease representing the greatest fold change. The proportion of claims submitted by advanced practice providers treating all 4 conditions was higher in 2021 than 2010 in both publicly and privately insured groups. CONCLUSIONS: The role of advanced practice providers in men's urological health is increasing for both privately and publicly insured patient populations. Advanced practice providers play a critical role in urological care and can help to improve access to men's health.

Preliminary assessment of patient and physician satisfaction with the use of teleconsultation in urology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: Lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic compelled urologists to change access to healthcare, especially for oncology patients. Teleconsultation is a safe way to receive medical advice without a risk of infection, and was implemented urgently in our academic centres. Our purpose was to evaluate patient and physician satisfaction with teleconsultation set up during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: From March 16th 2020, all face-to-face consultations were cancelled in France, except for emergencies. Teleconsultation was started immediately by five senior urologists in two academic hospitals. All patients received an email survey including the validated Teleconsultation Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) and demographic questions. Data were collected prospectively. Physicians also responded to the TSQ. Patient satisfaction was measured objectively with the validated 14-item TSQ. Each item was scored on a 5-point Likert scale. Factors associated with positive satisfaction with teleconsultation were assessed by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 105 patients replied to the survey (91.3%). Median age was 66 years (IQR: 55‒71) and 95 were men (90.5%). Median overall TSQ score was 67 (IQR: 60‒69); teleconsultation was judged to be a good experience by 88 patients (83.8%) and four physicians (80%). Patients who met their surgeon for the first time were more likely to have a good experience (OR = 1.2 [95% CI 1.1‒1.5], p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Introduced rapidly during the COVID-19 lockdown, urology teleconsultation attained a high level of satisfaction among both patients and physicians. A major change in telemedicine use is foreseen in the post COVID-19 era.

Management of Patients Who Seek Urologic Care in Covid-19 Pandemic Era.

INTRODUCTION:  Novel coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) has emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and became a pandemic in a few weeks. In this review, we aimed to summarize the current urologic practice trends worldwide to help urologist in decision making in disasters particularly in Covid-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHOD:  We have performed a PubMed and Internet search by using the keywords: 'Covid', 'new coronavirus', 'coronavirus urology, 'covid urology' without a date restriction.  Results: All elective surgeries for benign urological conditions such as urinary tract stone disease that not caused complicated obstruction, benign prostate enlargement, infertility, incontinence and genitourinary prolapse, erectile dysfunction undescendent testis, vesico-ureteral reflux   should be postponed till the lasting of Covid-19 outbreak. In obstructing ureteral stone both nephrostomy tube and double-J stent insertion are valid management options. However, one must consider that these procedures must be performed under local anesthesia when possible to spare a ventilator. When deferring urooncological operations and treatments oncological outcomes must be considered. Aggressive cessation or reducing the dosage of immunosuppressant therapy might be an option in renal transplanted patients with severe pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Urology in the Time of Coronavirus: Reduced Access to Urgent and Emergent Urological Care during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak in Italy.

PURPOSE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a substantial burden on the Italian healthcare system, resulting in the restructuring of hospitals to care for COVID-19 patients. However, this has likely impacted access to care for patients experiencing other conditions. We aimed to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on access to care for patients with urgent/emergent urological conditions throughout Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 33 urological units in the AGILE consortium, asking clinicians to report on the number of urgent/emergent urological patients seen and/or undergoing surgery over a 3-week period during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak and a reference week prior to the outbreak. ANOVA and linear regression models were used to quantify these changes. RESULTS: Data from 27 urological centres in Italy showed a decrease from 956 patients/week seen just prior to the outbreak to 291 patients/week seen by the end of the study period. There was a difference in the number of patients with urgent/emergent urological disease seen within/during the different weeks (all p values < 0.05). A significant decrease in the number of patients presenting with haematuria, urinary retention, urinary tract infection, scrotal pain, renal colic, or trauma and urgent/emergent cases that required surgery was reported (all p values < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In Italy, during the COVID-19 outbreak there has been a decrease in patients seeking help for urgent/emergent urological conditions. Restructuring of hospitals and clinics is mandatory to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the healthcare system should continue to provide adequate levels of care also to patients with other conditions.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of deferiprone compared with deferasirox in paediatric patients with transfusion-dependent haemoglobinopathies (DEEP-2): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, non-inferiority, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Transfusion-dependent haemoglobinopathies require lifelong iron chelation therapy with one of the three iron chelators (deferiprone, deferasirox, or deferoxamine). Deferasirox and deferiprone are the only two oral chelators used in adult patients with transfusion-dependent haemoglobinopathies. To our knowledge, there are no randomised clinical trials comparing deferiprone, a less expensive iron chelator, with deferasirox in paediatric patients. We aimed to show the non-inferiority of deferiprone versus deferasirox. METHODS: DEEP-2 was a phase 3, multicentre, randomised trial in paediatric patients (aged 1 month to 18 years) with transfusion-dependent haemoglobinopathies. The study was done in 21 research hospitals and universities in Italy, Egypt, Greece, Albania, Cyprus, Tunisia, and the UK. Participants were receiving at least 150 mL/kg per year of red blood cells for the past 2 years at the time of enrolment, and were receiving deferoxamine (<100 mg/kg per day) or deferasirox (<40 mg/kg per day; deferasirox is not registered for use in children aged <2 years so only deferoxamine was being used in these patients). Any previous chelation treatment was permitted with a 7-day washout period. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive orally administered daily deferiprone (75-100 mg/kg per day) or daily deferasirox (20-40 mg/kg per day) administered as dispersible tablets, both with dose adjustment for 12 months, stratified by age (<10 years and ≥10 years) and balanced by country. The primary efficacy endpoint was based on predefined success criteria for changes in serum ferritin concentration (all patients) and cardiac MRI T2-star (T2*; patients aged >10 years) to show non-inferiority of deferiprone versus deferasirox in the per-protocol population, defined as all randomly assigned patients who received the study drugs and had available data for both variables at baseline and after 1 year of treatment, without major protocol violations. Non-inferiority was based on the two-sided 95% CI of the difference in the proportion of patients with treatment success between the two groups and was shown if the lower limit of the two-sided 95% CI was greater than -12·5%. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug. This study is registered with EudraCT, 2012-000353-31, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01825512. FINDINGS: 435 patients were enrolled between March 17, 2014, and June 16, 2016, 393 of whom were randomly assigned to a treatment group (194 to the deferiprone group; 199 to the deferasirox group). 352 (90%) of 390 patients had ß-thalassaemia major, 27 (7%) had sickle cell disease, five (1%) had thalassodrepanocytosis, and six (2%) had other haemoglobinopathies. Median follow-up was 379 days (IQR 294-392) for deferiprone and 381 days (350-392) for deferasirox. Non-inferiority of deferiprone versus deferasirox was established (treatment success in 69 [55·2%] of 125 patients assigned deferiprone with primary composite efficacy endpoint data available at baseline and 1 year vs 80 [54·8%] of 146 assigned deferasirox, difference 0·4%; 95% CI -11·9 to 12·6). No significant difference between the groups was shown in the occurrence of serious and drug-related adverse events. Three (2%) cases of reversible agranulocytosis occurred in the 193 patients in the safety analysis in the deferiprone group and two (1%) cases of reversible renal and urinary disorders (one case of each) occurred in the 197 patients in the deferasirox group. Compliance was similar between treatment groups: 183 (95%) of 193 patients in the deferiprone group versus 192 (97%) of 197 patients in the deferisirox group. INTERPRETATION: In paediatric patients with transfusion-dependent haemoglobinopathies, deferiprone was effective and safe in inducing control of iron overload during 12 months of treatment. Considering the need for availability of more chelation treatments in paediatric populations, deferiprone offers a valuable treatment option for this age group. FUNDING: EU Seventh Framework Programme.

Correlation of Relative Value Units With Surgical Complexity and Physician Workload in Urology.

OBJECTIVE: To define the relationship between urology relative value units (RVUs) and measures of surgical complexity and physician workload. Secondary objectives include: (1) identifying procedures with outlying RVU values for their measures of surgical complexity and workload; and (2) calculating projected RVU values for these procedures. METHODS: We obtained surgical case data for 71 urology current procedural terminology (CPT) codes from the 2017 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to measure the association between mean total work RVU and operative time, length of hospital stay, serious adverse events, readmissions, and mortality. We developed a multivariable regression model to predict mean total work RVU from these measures. Studentized residuals were used to identify outlying CPT codes for both bivariable and multivariable regression models, and empirically derived RVU values from complexity and work effort metrics were estimated. RESULTS: We analyzed 71 urology CPT codes encompassing 55,068 cases. RVUs correlated well with median length of hospital stay (R = 0.81), median operative time (R = 0.92), serious adverse events (R = 0.83), and readmissions (R = 0.74). RVUs were poorly correlated with mortality (R = 0.34). Outlying procedures identified using the multivariable model were retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (projected +21.09 RVUs), laparoscopic ureteroneocystotomy (projected -12.34 RVUs), and cystectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy (projected +9.37 RVUs). CONCLUSION: Urology work RVUs correlate more with operative time than other measures of surgical complexity and physician workload. There exist several significant outlying procedures for various work measures. Incorporating objective work data may improve RVU assignments in the future.

The Early Impact of COVID-19 on Urological Service Provision.

Aim COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented challenge to healthcare systems. We aimed to observe the impact on urological care delivery in an Irish university hospital. Methods Data on urological activity was prospectively collected for 3 months from March 2020. A retrospective review of the same period in 2019 was performed for control data. Results Over the 2020 study period, 356 urological admissions were recorded; a 23.1% decrease from the 2019 corresponding period(n=463). A 21.7% decrease in flexible cystoscopies was seen (162 versus 207). 125 theatre cases (36 off-site) were performed in the 2020 period, versus 151 in 2019. Emergency case load remained stable, with 69 cases in the 2020 period. The percentage of trainee-performed cases was preserved. COVID-era outpatient activity increased, to involve 559 clinic consultations compared to 439 the preceding year; a reflection of annual growth in service demand and facilitated by virtual clinic application (n=403). There were 490 instances of patients cancelling/failing to attend outpatient appointments, compared to 335 in 2019. Conclusion The Irish COVID-19 outbreak has created obstacles for urological care. Nonetheless, urgent/emergent urological cases persist. Our unit has managed this to-date with flexible adaptation of service delivery. The global challenge posed by COVID-19 will demand ongoing resourcefulness to minimise impact on patients with time-sensitive urological conditions.

Uroflowmetry alterations in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) is a heterogeneous inherited disease characterized by renal and extrarenal manifestations with progressive fluid-filled cyst development leading to end-stage renal disease. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of obstructive urological disease in ADPKD patients and possible associations with endothelial dysfunction, nutritional, metabolic and inflammatory markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included ADPKD patients and control group, who carried out uroflowmetry, an assessment of renal function, metabolic and nutritional parameters and an evaluation of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerotic markers, such as Renal Resistive Index (RRI), Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) and Flow-Mediated Dilation (FMD). RESULTS: We enrolled 37 ADPKD patients (20 males with 51.0 ± 14.3 years) and 34 control group (18 males with 60.7 ± 14.4 years). We showed a significant reduction in Max Flow Rate (Qmax) (p ≤ 0.001), age (p = 0.006), FMD (p = 0.023) and Voiding Volume (p = 0.053), in addition to a significant increase in Voiding Time and Diastolic Blood Pressure (p ≤ 0.001, p = 0.049; respectively) in ADPKD patients with respect to control group. Moreover, we found a negative correlation between Qmax and creatinine (r= -0.44, p = 0.007), RRI (r= -0.49, p ≤0.001) and intact Parathyroid Hormone (r = -0.329, p = 0.046), while we found a positive correlation between Qmax and MDRD (r = 0.327, p = 0.048) and between Voiding Time and serum uric acid (r= 0.34, p = 0.039) in ADPKD patients with respect to control group. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we showed an elevated prevalence of urological functional diseases in ADPKD patients; therefore, we suggest to include uroflowmetry in the assessment of these patients, considering the non-invasiveness, repeatability and low cost of the exam. An early intervention could slow down the progression of renal damage and an early screening of the main cardiovascular risk factors could reduce the high morbidity and mortality in ADPKD patients.

Urological dysfunctions in patients with Parkinson's disease: clues from clinical and non-invasive urological assessment.

BACKGROUND: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction, common in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), causes significant morbidity and it is correlated with poor quality of life. To assess frequency of urinary symptoms in patients with PD, without conditions known to interfere with urinary function. METHODS: Non-demented PD patients were consecutively enrolled from the outpatients clinic of our department. Scales investigating motor and non-motor symptoms were carried out. Evaluation of urinary dysfunctions was carried out using the AUTonomic Scale for Outcomes in Parkinson's disease (SCOPA-AUT) questionnaire. Patients underwent noninvasive urological studies (nUS), including uroflowmetry and ultrasound of the urinary tract. RESULTS: Forty-eight (20 women, 42%) out of 187 PD patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Mean SCOPA-AUT score was 14.1 ± 6.9 (urinary symptoms subscore 5.2 ± 3.8). Among those evaluated by the SCOPA-AUT scale, the urinary symptoms were among the most common complaints (93.8%). At nUS mean maximum flow rate (Qmax) was 17.9 ± 9.1 ml/s, and mean postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume was 24.4 ± 44.1 ml. Ultrasound investigation documented prostate hypertrophy in 12 male patients (42.8%). Urinary items of the SCOPA-AUT (SCOPA-U subscore) correlated with measures of disease severity only in female patients. CONCLUSION: Urinary symptoms and abnormal findings in nUS are common in PD. Though nigrostriatal degeneration might be responsible for urinary symptoms also in the early-intermediate stage of the disease, when urinary dysfunction occurs other medical conditions need to be excluded.

Burden of Urological Complications in Men and Women With Long-standing Type 1 Diabetes in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Type 1 diabetes has been associated with high rates of urinary and sexual problems, but the cumulative burden and overlap of these complications are unknown. We sought to determine prevalence of urological complications in persons with type 1 diabetes, associations with clinical and diabetes-related factors, and rates of emergence, persistence, and remission. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This ancillary longitudinal study among participants in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and observational follow-up study Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) (652 women and 713 men) was conducted in 2003 and 2010/2011. Urinary incontinence (UI), lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary tract infection, female sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, low male sexual desire, and orgasmic dysfunction were measured with validated instruments. Logistic regression determined association of complications with demographics and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Of sexually active women completing the 2010/2011 survey, 35% reported no complications, 39% had one, 19% two, 5% three, and 2% four. In men, 31% had no complications, 36% had one, 22% two, 9% three, and 3% four. Sexual dysfunction was most prevalent (42% women and 45% men) followed by UI in women (31%) and low sexual desire in men (40%). Urological complications were associated with age, BMI, and HbA1c. Remission rates ranged from 4 to 12% over the 7-year interval between surveys. CONCLUSIONS: Urological complications are prevalent and frequently co-occur in persons with type 1 diabetes. Remission rates in a minority subset indicate a rationale for future studies to mitigate the onset or impact of urological complications of diabetes.

Reoccurring Injury, Chronic Health Conditions, and Behavioral Health: Gender Differences in the Causes of Workers' Compensation Claims.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was o examine how work and nonwork health-related factors contribute to workers' compensation (WC) claims by gender. METHODS: Workers (N = 16,926) were enrolled in the Pinnacol Assurance Health Risk Management study, a multiyear, longitudinal research program assessing small and medium-sized enterprises in Colorado. Hypotheses were tested using gender-stratified logistic regression models. RESULTS: For both women and men, having incurred a prior WC claim increased the odds of a future claim. The combination of incurring a prior claim and having metabolic health conditions resulted in lower odds of a future claim. Behavioral health risk factors increased the odds of having a claim more so among women than among men. CONCLUSION: This study provides data to support multifactorial injury theories, and the need for injury prevention efforts that consider workplace conditions as well as worker health.

Inverse probability of treatment-weighted competing risks analysis: an application on long-term risk of urinary adverse events after prostate cancer treatments.

BACKGROUND: To illustrate the 10-year risks of urinary adverse events (UAEs) among men diagnosed with prostate cancer and treated with different types of therapy, accounting for the competing risk of death. METHODS: Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy among adult males in the United States. Few studies have reported the long-term post-treatment risk of UAEs and those that have, have not appropriately accounted for competing deaths. This paper conducts an inverse probability of treatment (IPT) weighted competing risks analysis to estimate the effects of different prostate cancer treatments on the risk of UAE, using a matched-cohort of prostate cancer/non-cancer control patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Medicare database. RESULTS: Study dataset included men age 66 years or older that are 83% white and had a median follow-up time of 4.14 years. Patients that underwent combination radical prostatectomy and external beam radiotherapy experienced the highest risk of UAE (IPT-weighted competing risks: HR 3.65 with 95% CI (3.28, 4.07); 10-yr. cumulative incidence = 36.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that IPT-weighted competing risks analysis provides an accurate estimator of the cumulative incidence of UAE taking into account the competing deaths as well as measured confounding bias.

Prevalence and management status of urologic disease in geriatric hospitals in South Korea: A population-based analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and management status of urologic disease in geriatric hospitals in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted population-based analyzed using cohort established by the National Health Insurance Service of Korea, which contains the medical insurance data of 1 million people from 2002 to 2013. The prevalence, prescription rate, and complication incidence of urologic disease in geriatric hospitals were compared with similar-sized general hospitals. We analyzed the changes that followed the adoption of the fixed sum medical fee per day for geriatric hospitals, which began in January 2008. Subgroup analysis was conducted in an elderly group and a propensity score matching (PSM) group. RESULTS: During this time, the number of geriatric hospitals exponentially increased over general hospitals (675.5%/y vs. 30.9%/y). The prevalence, prescription rate, and complication incidence of urologic disease was higher in geriatric hospitals than in general hospitals (2.1, 1.8, and 1.4 times higher). In the elderly group, the prevalence of urologic disorders was higher in geriatric hospitals than in general hospitals, but the prescription rate was lower (26.5% vs. 19.9% and 6.8% vs. 10.0%). This tendency also founded in the PSM analysis. After the medical fee system changed, diagnosis and prescription rates decreased in geriatric hospitals but increased in general hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Urologic diseases are more prevalent yet management has some problem in geriatric hospitals. Lack of institutional urologists and changes in the medical payment system should be associated with this problem. Additional study and political support are needed to overcome this issue.

[EPIDEMIOLOGY, STRUCTURE AND ALGORITHM OF MANAGEMENT OF PREGNANT WOMEN WITH EXTRAGENITAL PATHOLOGY OF THERAPEUTIC PROFILE].

Purpose of the study - the study of the extragenital pathology (EGP) structure in pregnant women according to the requests for medical help. The screening survey was attended by 742 pregnant women. Average age was 28,4±5,5 years. A retrospective analysis of the causes of calls to pregnant ambulance carriages was carried out for 2012-2013. On the basis of obtained data was suggested an algorithm of pregnant women with EGP management. In the structure of EGP in one profile led hematology - 306 cases (41.2%), followed by nephrology - 290 (39.1%) and gastroenterology (38.8%) - 288 cases, respectively. In the structure of requests for emergency medical care for pregnant first place occupied by respiratory diseases (2012 r - 28%, 2013- 30%), followed by urinary system diseases (2012 - 19.6% 2013 - 17.2% r ). Obtained data formed the basis for the algorithm to identify risks and provide medical care for pregnant women with extragenital pathology. In the structure of the screening study prevailed hematology profile diseases, and respiratory system diseases often were the reason for emergency medical care. The result of this study became the creating of the algorithm for medical care delivery.

Prevalence and management status of urologic diseases in geriatric hospitals in South Korea: A field research.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the current management status of urologic diseases in geriatric hospitals in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaire surveys and in-depth person-to-person interviews were conducted at 13 hospitals within the Seoul and Incheon areas. RESULTS: The study was carried out from July to December 2014; 75.6% of patients (1,858/2,458) and 77.5% (779/1,031) of medical personnel responded to our survey. All surveys and interviews were performed by urology specialists, fellows, residents, or nurses. The hospitals included in the study had an average of 215.2 beds (range, 110-367), 189.1 patients (range, 90-345), and 40.2 nurses (range, 10-83). The average number of physicians was 6.2 (range, 3-11), but none of these were certified urologists. Only 4 hospitals provided consultation services for urological disorders. In total, 64% of patients had urological disorders, although only 20.7% of patients were receiving medication. Most patients were being treated using urological interventions; diapers (49.7%), indwelling catheters (19.5%), clean intermittent catheters (12.2%), and external collection urinary drainage (7.9%). However, most interventions were inadequately implemented, and only 17% of the patients had been examined by a certified urologist. Urological complications were found in 20.2% of patients, and secondary complications occurred in 18.8%. Excluding redundant cases, the total prevalence of urological complications was 39.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Urologic diseases are poorly managed, and no certified urologists work in geriatric hospitals. Therefore, more designated urologists are needed in geriatric hospitals.

Risk factors and medical costs for healthcare-associated carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli infection among hospitalized patients in a Chinese teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: The emergence and spread of Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) is becoming a serious problem in Chinese hospitals, however, the data on this is scarce. Therefore, we investigate the risk factors for healthcare-associated CREC infection and study the incidence, antibiotic resistance and medical costs of CREC infections in our hospital. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, matched case-control-control, parallel study in a tertiary teaching hospital. Patients admitted between January 2012 and December 2015 were included in this study. For patients with healthcare-associated CREC infection, two matched subject groups were created; one group with healthcare-associated CSEC infection and the other group without infection. RESULTS: Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis demonstrated that prior hospital stay (<6 months) (OR:3.96; 95%CI:1.26-12.42), tracheostomy (OR:2.24; 95%CI: 1.14-4.38), central venous catheter insertion (OR: 8.15; 95%CI: 2.31-28.72), carbapenem exposure (OR: 12.02; 95%CI: 1.52-95.4), urinary system disease (OR: 16.69; 95%CI: 3.01-89.76), low hemoglobin (OR: 2.83; 95%CI: 1.46-5.50), and high blood glucose are associated (OR: 7.01; 95%CI: 1.89-26.02) with CREC infection. Total costs (p = 0.00), medical examination costs (p = 0.00), medical test costs (p = 0.00), total drug costs (p = 0.00) and ant-infective drug costs (p = 0.00) for the CREC group were significantly higher than those for the no infection group. Medical examination costs (p = 0.03), total drug costs (p = 0.03), and anti-infective drug costs (p = 0.01) for the CREC group were significantly higher than for the CSEC group. Mortality in CREC group was significantly higher than the CSEC group (p = 0.01) and no infection group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Many factors were discovered for acquisition of healthcare-associated CREC infection. CREC isolates were resistant to most antibiotics, and had some association with high financial burden and increased mortality.

Association between age, breed and sex in relation to urinary disorders in insured cats in Japan during fiscal year 2012.

Data from 48,187 cats insured between April 2012 and March 2013 were analyzed using logistic regression analysis to determine the association of age, breed and sex with the occurrence of urinary disorders. The overall annual prevalence of urinary disorders was 12.2%. Using crossbreeds as the reference breed, Abyssinian cats had the highest odds of having urinary disorders with a ratio of 1.40 (95% confidence interval: 1.20-1.63), followed by Norwegian Forest Cats and Somalis. Male cats had higher odds of having urinary disorders with a ratio of 1.27 (1.20-1.35) over female cats. Older cats had higher odds of having urinary disorders than young cats.

Profile and costs of secondary conditions resulting in emergency department presentations and readmission to hospital following traumatic spinal cord injury.

INTRODUCTION: People with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) face complex challenges in their care, recovery and life. Secondary conditions can develop to involve many body systems and can impact health, function, quality of life, and community participation. These secondary conditions can be costly, and many are preventable. The aim of this study was to describe the type and direct costs of secondary conditions requiring readmission to hospital, or visit to an emergency department (ED), within the first two years following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using population-level linked data from hospital ED and admission datasets was undertaken in Victoria, Australia. The incidence and direct treatment costs of readmission to hospital and ED visit within 2-years post-injury for secondary conditions related to SCI were measured for the 356 persons with traumatic SCI with a date of injury from 2008 to 2011. RESULTS: Of the 356 cases, 141 (40%) experienced 366 (median 2, range 1-11) readmissions to hospital for secondary conditions. 95 (27%) visited an ED at least once, within two years of injury for a secondary condition. The cost of hospital readmissions was AUD$5,553,004 and AUD$87,790 for ED visits. The mean±SD cost was AUD$15,172±$20,957 per readmission and AUD$670±$198 per ED visit. Urological conditions (e.g. urinary tract infection) were most common, followed by pressure areas/ulcers for readmissions, and fractures in the ED. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalisation for complications within two years of traumatic SCI was common and costly in Victoria, Australia. Improved bladder and pressure area management could result in substantial morbidity and cost savings following SCI.

Urological Surveillance and Medical Complications after Spinal Cord Injury in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the national patterns of urologic follow up after spinal cord injury (SCI) and the occurrence and predictors of urological complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used a 5% sample of Medicare data 2007-2010. The minimum adequate urologic surveillance was defined as a urologist visit, serum creatinine evaluation, and upper urinary tract imaging study within the 2-year period. Patients were classified to their most severe complication in a multivariate linear regression model. RESULTS: Among the 7162 patients with SCI, the majority were functionally paraplegic (82.4%) and Caucasian (80.9%). Among them, 4.9% received no screening studies over the 2-year period; 70.5% received some, but not all screening; and 24.6% received all three screening tests. Patients traveled a mean of 21.3 ± 27.5 miles to receive care. A total of 35.7% of patients saw a urologist during the 2-year period; 48.6% had some form of upper tract evaluation, with the majority being computed tomography scans; and 90.7% had serum creatinine evaluation. Of all patients, 35.8% had a minor complication during their 2-year follow up, 17.1% had a moderate complication, and 8.0% had a severe complication. In our prediction model, patient factors that correlated with increased complications included male gender, African American race, paraplegia, and receiving some or all of the neurogenic bladder recommended screening. Patients' distance of travel to their treating physician (urologist or physiatrist) did not affect the rate of complications. CONCLUSION: Urological complications are common in patients with SCI who receive Medicare. Most of these patients with SCI are not receiving even the minimum recommended surveillance for these urological complications.