Lack of Gender Diversity Among Systematic Reviews Authors in the Urological Literature (1998-2021).

PURPOSE: Gender equity is a key performance metric in research, including systematic reviews, and is increasingly noted in publications. We performed this study to assess gender parity in scientific authorship of systematic reviews published in the urological literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified all published systematic reviews addressing questions of therapy/prevention in 5 major urological journals (The Journal of Urology®, European Urology, Urology, BJU International, and World Journal of Urology) from 1998 to 2021. We determined gender of first, second, corresponding, and any author as a binary variable (woman or man) using a predefined algorithm. RESULTS: We included 523 systematic reviews. The main journal contributors were European Urology (32.6%), BJU International (22.0%), and The Journal of Urology (19.5%). Slightly more than half (51.8%) of reviews included at least 1 woman coauthor, 37.5% did not, and in 10.7% it was unclear. First, second, and corresponding authors were women in 13.7%, 12.4%, and 4.7%, respectively, and the median number of women contributors was 1 (interquartile range 0-2). Women-first authorship for the time period 1998-2012 was 13.0% (P = .139), and senior authorship was 5.0% (P = .270). In 2013-2016 it was 11.0% and 4.1%, and in 2017-2021 it increased somewhat to 16.5% and 5.1% (P = .270), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The number of women involved in systematic reviews is low and has not improved over time. Since scientific authorship is important for academic advancement, this finding may contribute to the underrepresentation of women in academic leadership positions. Efforts to improve gender diversity in urology should include more collaboration across genders.

Pelvic organ prolapse and anal incontinence in women: screening with a validated epidemiology survey.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and anal incontinence (AI) in a Minnesota population using the Epidemiology of Prolapse and Incontinence Questionnaire (EPIQ). The secondary objective of this study was to determine the association of POP and AI with parity, age, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), and co-morbidities. METHODS: Women ≥ 18 years old attending the 2018 Minnesota State Fair were asked to fill out a web-based version of the EPIQ. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate the association of POP and AI with the variables of interest. RESULTS: A total of 1426 women were included in the analysis. There was a 4.9% prevalence of POP and 14.9% prevalence of AI. POP was significantly associated with parity and higher BMI (p < 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). In this cohort, POP was not associated with older age, smoking, or presence of co-morbid conditions. Anal incontinence was associated with older age (p < 0.01), smoking status (p = 0.01), and presence of co-morbid conditions (p = 0.01) but was not associated with parity or higher BMI. CONCLUSION: POP and AI were associated with some, but not all, of the variables tested, which differs from prior studies. In addition, the prevalence of POP and AI were different than rates reported in similar studies. This may suggest regional differences in prevalence of POP and AI.

Assessment of urethral support using MRI-derived computational modeling of the female pelvis.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to assess the role of individual anatomical structures and their combinations to urethral support function. METHODS: A realistic pelvic model was developed from an asymptomatic female patient's magnetic resonance (MR) images for dynamic biomechanical analysis using the finite element method. Validation was performed by comparing simulation results with dynamic MR imaging observations. Weaknesses of anatomical support structures were simulated by reducing their material stiffness. Urethral mobility was quantified by examining urethral axis excursion from rest to the final state (intra-abdominal pressure = 100 cmH2O). Seven individual support structures and five of their combinations were studied. RESULT: Among seven urethral support structures, we found that weakening the vaginal walls, puborectalis muscle, and pubococcygeus muscle generated the top three largest urethral excursion angles. A linear relationship was found between urethral axis excursions and intra-abdominal pressure. Weakening all three levator ani components together caused a larger weakening effect than the sum of each individually weakened component, indicating a nonlinearly additive pattern. The pelvic floor responded to different weakening conditions distinctly: weakening the vaginal wall developed urethral mobility through the collapsed vaginal canal, while weakening the levator ani showed a more uniform pelvic floor deformation. CONCLUSIONS: The computational modeling and dynamic biomechanical analysis provides a powerful tool to better understand the dynamics of the female pelvis under pressure events. The vaginal walls, puborectalis, and pubococcygeus are the most important individual structures in providing urethral support. The levator ani muscle group provides urethral support in a well-coordinated way with a nonlinearly additive pattern.

The Single-Incision Sling to Treat Female Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Dynamic Computational Study of Outcomes and Risk Factors.

Dynamic behaviors of the single-incision sling (SIS) to correct urethral hypermobility are investigated via dynamic biomechanical analysis using a computational model of the female pelvis, developed from a female subject's high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) images. The urethral hypermobility is simulated by weakening the levator ani muscle in the pelvic model. Four positions along the posterior urethra (proximal, midproximal, middle, and mid-distal) were considered for sling implantation. The α-angle, urethral excursion angle, and sling-urethra interaction force generated during Valsalva maneuver were quantitatively characterized to evaluate the effect of the sling implantation position on treatment outcomes and potential complications. Results show concern for overcorrection with a sling implanted at the bladder neck, based on a relatively larger sling-urethra interaction force of 1.77 N at the proximal implantation position (compared with 0.25 N at mid-distal implantation position). A sling implanted at the mid-distal urethral location provided sufficient correction (urethral excursion angle of 23.8 deg after mid-distal sling implantation versus 24.4 deg in the intact case) with minimal risk of overtightening and represents the optimal choice for sling surgery. This study represents the first effort utilizing a comprehensive pelvic model to investigate the performance of an implanted sling to correct urethral hypermobility. The computational modeling approach presented in the study can also be used to advance presurgery planning, sling product design, and to enhance our understanding of various surgical risk factors which are difficult to obtain in clinical practice.

Randomized trial of mechanotherapy for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women.

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) presents as unintentional urine leakage associated with activities. It significantly affects quality of life (QoL) and is the most common type of incontinence in women. Current treatment options, particularly non-surgical therapies, are lacking. Objective: To assess the efficacy of mechanotherapy provided by the Flyte® intra-vaginal device during pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). Design: This was a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial. Materials and methods: Flyte is a repeat use device for conditioning and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs). It provides two-part mechanotherapy. Part 1 is the stretching and preloading of the PFM from the internal wand. Part 2 integrates mechanical pulses which elicit muscle cellular and tissue level responses that trigger cellular regeneration, improve neuromuscular facilitation and motor learning. Subjects used the device for 5 min/day for 12 weeks. Subjects (144) were randomized and evaluated at 6 and 12 weeks. Arm A (72) received both Part 1 and Part 2 mechanotherapy for 12 weeks, whereas Arm B (72) received Part 1 therapy for 6 weeks, then crossed over to full therapy. Mean age was 50, 49, respectively, prior pelvic/abdominal surgery 26%, 46%, and previous incontinence treatments 13%, 22%. The primary endpoint was 24-h pad weight (24-HR PW) at 6 weeks. Secondary endpoints were 24-HR PW at 12 weeks and QoL [International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ), Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life (IQOL)]. Results: Part 1 therapy had a greater than anticipated therapeutic effect. Thus, the study was underpowered to identify differences between study arms. Therefore, data were pooled to assess the effects of mechanotherapy. Twenty four-HR PW was significantly reduced at 6 weeks (p = <0.0001), with further reduction from 6 to 12 weeks (p = <0.0001). Data were stratified based on 24-HR PW severity. Significant reductions were noted in all severity groups (mild p = <0.0001, moderate p = <0.0001, severe p = <0.01). QoL was similarly improved at 6 weeks (ICIQ p = <0.0001, IQOL p = <0.0001), and 12 weeks (ICIQ p = <0.0001, IQOL p = <0.0001). Compliance was >80% at 6 weeks and 70% at 12 weeks. Conclusion: Two-part mechanotherapy significantly improved 24-HR PW and QoL across all severities of SUI. Improvements were noted in as little as 2 weeks and appeared to be sustained through 2-year follow up. Trial registration: Registered on ClinTrials.gov (NCT02954042).

Novel mechanical stimulation therapy for stress urinary incontinence Stress urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine during activities such as sneezing, coughing, lifting and exercise. It negatively affects quality of life, and is the most common type of incontinence in women. Current treatment options, particularly non-surgical therapies, are lacking. Pelvic floor muscle training, sometimes referred to as Kegel exercise, is the usual initial therapy to treat stress urinary incontinence. This study assessed the effectiveness and safety of the two types of mechanical stimulation therapy provided by the Flyte® intra-vaginal wand during pelvic floor muscle training. The first type stretches the muscles to optimize the effect of the pelvic floor muscle exercises. The second type is the delivery of specially tuned mechanical pulses that trigger muscle cell and tissue responses that accelerate muscle cell healing, increase muscle awareness and improve coordination. Due to an inadequate number of study subjects in the two study arms, the study data were combined into one analysis group to better assess the benefits of Flyte therapy in the participants. The volume of urine loss was very significantly reduced at 6-weeks, with further reduction from 6-12 weeks. Data were then divided into subgroups based on the severity of urine loss at the beginning of the study. Very significant reductions were noted in women with Mild, Moderate and Severe incontinence. Quality of life was similarly improved at 6 and 12 weeks, as measured by two quality of life questionnaires. These improvements were noted in as little as 2 weeks. More than 80% of participants performed the therapy at 6 weeks and 70% at 12 weeks. Improved quality of life was sustained through two years after the study ended in women who voluntarily continued participation in the study.

Under-representation of Diversity on American Urological Association and European Association of Urology Guideline Panels.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the panel composition of the 2 most important guideline developers in urology as equity and acceptability, important domains in clinical guideline development, require broad stakeholder representation. METHODS: Following a predefined protocol, we identified all current AUA and EAU guideline documents. Two authors independently abstracted data including guideline topic, number and roles of panel members, voting status, and academic rank. We determined panel member's gender (woman, man, or nonbinary) and racialization (White or non-White) status based on name, internet picture, pronouns used, bios available, and gender listed on their profile. RESULTS: We identified 31 AUA and 20 EAU guidelines for inclusion. Median panel size was 19 (interquartile range [IQR]: 17; 21) with 12 (IQR: 10; 14) voting members. The average composition of voting panels was predominantly male (81.8%) and White (86.8%). Eleven guideline panels (21.6%) did not include any women, and 9 (17.6%) panels had no representation of individuals from non-White groups. While gender distribution was similar among guidelines of the 2 organizations, the AUA included more voting members from non-White groups (14.3% vs 8.0%; P = .010). Analysis of the AUA panel composition over time revealed stable proportions of female and non-White individuals. CONCLUSION: Both AUA and EAU guidelines exhibit insufficient representation of females and non-White individuals, with no evident improvement observed over time. Implementing more transparent processes that advocate for diverse panel representation may enhance the incorporation of stakeholder values and preferences, thereby improving the dissemination and adoption of guidelines.

Effect of Microsurgical Varicocele Repair on Sperm Capacitation and Probability of Generating a Pregnancy as Measured by Pre and Postoperative Novel Testing With Cap-Score.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether varicocele repair would improve sperm capacitation and probability of generating a pregnancy. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively from 40 consecutive adult men who presented with infertility confirmed by semen analysis (SA) and found to have a varicocele on exam or ultrasound who underwent unilateral or bilateral subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy. We recorded pre and postoperative SA, Cap-Score, and probability of generating a pregnancy (PGP) with a 3-month follow-up. Values were compared using paired t test and Wilcox rank-sum test. RESULTS: Results showed a 17.4% relative increase in Cap-Score (23%-27% capacitation), 25% relative increase in PGP (24%-30%), as well as statistically significant improvements in sperm concentration, motility, and total sperm count postoperatively. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that microsurgical varicocelectomy significantly improves sperm capacitation ability and improves the expected probability of generating a pregnancy within 3 rounds of intrauterine insemination. The improvement in sperm capacitation ability may help explain how varicocele repair may improve the chance of pregnancy, regardless of standard semen parameter improvements.

Objective Quantification of Detrusor Overactivity Using Spectral Measures of Cystometry Data.

OBJECTIVE: To develop scalable objective methods for differentiating patients with and without detrusor overactivity (DO) using quantitative Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)-based measures and routinely captured cystometry data. METHODS: Retrospective cystometry data were collected as prevoid vesical and abdominal pressure signals from 18 DO and 10 SUI (non-DO) cystometry recordings. Data were filtered and divided into two equal-duration segments, Early and Late Fill, representing the first and second halves of filling. FFT was applied, followed by subtraction of abdominal spectra from vesical spectra. Spectral Power (SP) and Weighted Average Frequency (WAF) measures were calculated for each segment spectra within 1-6 cycles min-1. RESULTS: Compared to non-DO, the mean SP was significantly higher in DO patients for both Early and Late Fill segments. WAF was significantly lower in DO patients for both segments. Changes in spectral pressures appeared to be linked to the presence of detrusor contractions (DCs) and were especially visible when DCs were present in the Early Fill segments of cystometry. CONCLUSION: FFT-based spectral measures derived from routinely captured cystometry data are significantly different between DO and non-DO patients. This preliminary method is clinically scalable and can be further developed to facilitate the detection of DO, classify disease phenotype, and capture therapeutic efficacy.

Intersectionality and COVID-19: Academic Medicine Faculty's Lived Experiences of Well-Being, Workload, and Productivity During the Pandemic.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to utilize an intersectional framework to examine academic faculty's lived experiences during COVID-19. Specifically, we set out to: (1) describe the multiple intersectional identities (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, rank, caregiver status, disability status) represented by the faculty, (2) examine potential disparities in well-being, workload, and productivity linked to these intersectional factors, and (3) identify qualitative themes endorsed by faculty as they relate to lived experiences during COVID-19. Methods: This was a cross-sectional mixed-methods research study. The Center for Women in Medicine and Science (CWIMS) at the University of Minnesota developed and implemented a survey between February-June of 2021 in response to national reports of disparities in the impacts of COVID-19 on faculty with lived experiences from multiple intersections. Results: There were 291 full-time faculty who participated in the study. Quantitative findings indicated that faculty with multiple intersectional identities (e.g., woman+assistant professor+caregiver+underrepresented in medicine) reported greater depression symptoms, work/family conflict, and stress in contrast to faculty with fewer intersectional identities. Furthermore, faculty with more intersectional identities reported higher clinical workloads and service responsibilities and lower productivity with regard to research article submissions, publications, and grant submissions in contrast to faculty with fewer intersectional identities. Qualitative findings supported quantitative findings and broadened understanding of potential underlying reasons. Conclusions: Findings confirm anecdotal evidence that faculty with lived experiences from multiple intersections may be disproportionately experiencing negative outcomes from the pandemic. These findings can inform decisions about how to address these disparities moving into the next several years with regard to promotion and tenure, burnout and well-being, and faculty retention in academic medical settings. Given these findings, it is also important to intentionally plan responses for future public health crises to prevent continued disparities for faculty with multiple intersectional identities.

Data Gap in Sacral Neuromodulation Documentation: Call to Improve Documentation Protocols.

PURPOSE: We quantified patient record documentation of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) threshold testing and programming parameters at our institution to identify opportunities to improve therapy outcomes and future SNM technologies. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted using 127 records from 40 SNM patients. Records were screened for SNM documentation including qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative covered indirect references to threshold testing and the quantitative included efficacy descriptions and device programming used by the patient. Findings were categorized by visit type: percutaneous nerve evaluation (PNE), stage 1 (S1), permanent lead implantation, stage 2 (S2) permanent impulse generator implantation, device-related follow-up, or surgical removal. RESULTS: Documentation of threshold testing was more complete during initial implant visits (PNE and S1), less complete for S2 visits, and infrequent for follow-up clinical visits. Surgical motor thresholds were most often referred to using only qualitative comments such as "good response" (88%, 100% for PNE, S1) and less commonly included quantitative values (68%, 84%), locations of response (84%, 83%) or specific contacts used for testing (0%). S2 motor thresholds were less well documented with qualitative, quantitative, and anatomical location outcomes at 70%, 48%, and 36% respectively. Surgical notes did not include specific stimulation parameters or contacts used for tests. Postoperative sensory tests were often only qualitative (80%, 67% for PNE, S1) with quantitative values documented much less frequently (39%, 9%) and typically lacked sensory locations or electrode-specific results. For follow-up visits, <10% included quantitative sensory test outcomes. Few records (<7%) included device program settings recommended for therapy delivery and none included therapy-use logs. CONCLUSION: While evidence suggests contact and parameter-specific programming can improve SNM therapy outcomes, there is a major gap in the documentation of this data. More detailed testing and documentation could improve therapeutic options for parameter titration and provide design inputs for future technologies.

Abdominal Spasm Induced Urinary Incontinence in a Patient With Cerebral Palsy: The Diagnostic Utility of Urodynamics in Neurological Disorder Management.

The presentation of incontinence in a patient with complex neurological disorders can vary substantially and depend on the location and nature of neurological injuries. In this case report, a 53-year-old female with cerebral palsy presents with recurrent episodes of catheter discharge and incontinence due to presumed bladder spasms. However, urodynamics (UDS) study reveals the spasms to be abdominal in origin. This unique case illustrates the diagnostic utility of UDS and important considerations when evaluating patients with complex medical and neurological disorders.

Reducing Postoperative Opioids for Outpatient Endoscopic Urological Surgery: A Resident Driven Quality Improvement Initiative.

INTRODUCTION: Opioid dependency has become a public health crisis in the United States and surplus prescriptions of opioids after surgery may be contributing to this problem. This resident driven quality improvement initiative sought to study the prescribing patterns of opioids for patients undergoing outpatient urological surgery at our institution, reduce prescriptions where possible and monitor patient outcomes. METHODS: A chart review and telephone survey were conducted of patients undergoing outpatient endourological surgery. Type and quantity of narcotics prescribed were identified, and patients were surveyed on quantity of medication consumed. Physicians were then counseled on prescribing quantities closer to the average amounts reportedly used by patients. After 30 days we assessed emergency room visits, readmissions and telephone calls related to pain. RESULTS: Before our initiative patients were prescribed an average of 156.6 morphine milligram equivalents (median 150) after endourological surgery. Patients reported using between 0-37.5 morphine milligram equivalents, with 71% reporting using no narcotics. Following 30 days of surgeon advisement, the average prescription decreased to 38.6 morphine milligram equivalents (median 0), representing a 75.3% reduction. Following reductions there were no significant differences in emergency room visits, telephone calls, readmissions or rate of drug refills. CONCLUSIONS: Resident driven quality improvement initiatives can lead to reductions in the prescription of surplus opioids after certain types of urological surgery. These efforts can play an important role in reducing the supply of available narcotics at the local level.

Pelvic floor dynamics during high-impact athletic activities: A computational modeling study.

BACKGROUND: Stress urinary incontinence is a significant problem in young female athletes, but the pathophysiology remains unclear because of the limited knowledge of the pelvic floor support function and limited capability of currently available assessment tools. The aim of our study is to develop an advanced computer modeling tool to better understand the dynamics of the internal pelvic floor during highly transient athletic activities. METHODS: Apelvic model was developed based on high-resolution MRI scans of a healthy nulliparous young female. A jump-landing process was simulated using realistic boundary conditions captured from jumping experiments. Hypothesized alterations of the function of pelvic floor muscles were simulated by weakening or strengthening the levator ani muscle stiffness at different levels. Intra-abdominal pressures and corresponding deformations of pelvic floor structures were monitored at different levels of weakness or enhancement. FINDINGS: Results show that pelvic floor deformations generated during a jump-landing process differed greatly from those seen in a Valsalva maneuver which is commonly used for diagnosis in clinic. The urethral mobility was only slightly influenced by the alterations of the levator ani muscle stiffness. Implications for risk factors and treatment strategies were also discussed. INTERPRETATION: Results suggest that clinical diagnosis should make allowances for observed differences in pelvic floor deformations between a Valsalva maneuver and a jump-landing process to ensure accuracy. Urethral hypermobility may be a less contributing factor than the intrinsic sphincteric closure system to the incontinence of young female athletes.

Impact of heads-up display imaging on endoscopic task performance.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Heads-Up Imaging goggles provide ergonomic advantages to the endourologist. This study was designed to evaluate whether heads-up display impacts task performance for ureteroscopic stone retrieval. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ability to capture a 5-mm calculus with a Cook N-Circle 2.2F stone basket from an inanimate caliceal model was tested by three experienced and three novice stone-basket operators. Visual display for initial testing for each operator was randomized to the OptiVu HD3 Heads-Up googles or a 20- inch Sony Triniton monitor (TV). Subsequent testing alternated between the two devices. Camera input was provided by the Storz telecam SL-NTSC. The HD3 was set up to align the direction of view with the operator's hands, while the TV was aligned at an angle 45 degrees lateral and 30 degrees superior to the operator's direction of view to approximate the traditional room set-up for an endourologic procedure. Each operator performed five basketing trials with each display set-up. RESULTS: Expert operators retrieved calculi more rapidly (9.2 +/- 5.9 seconds) than novice operators (50.7 +/- 48.9 seconds), irrespective of whether a TV monitor or goggle display was utilized as the imaging modality. No significant differences were noted in task performance between the two imaging modalities for the expert (P = b0.60), novice (P = 0.77), or overall (P = 0.91) groups. CONCLUSION: The Optiview Heads-Up goggle display system does not offer advantages in task performance with specific regard to the ability to capture stone fragments with baskets.

A pilot study on the early use of the vacuum erection device after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the early use of the vacuum erection device (VED) on erectile dysfunction (ED) and penile shortening after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RP), as these are important concerns for men choosing among treatment alternatives for localized prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight men undergoing RP were randomized to early intervention (1 month after RP, group 1) or a control group (6 months after RP, group 2) using a traditional VED protocol. An International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score of >11 (no, mild or mild to moderate ED) was required as a baseline criterion for inclusion in the study. Only patients in whom unilateral or bilateral nerves were spared were subsequently randomized. Patients in group 1 followed a daily rehabilitation protocol consisting of 10 min/day using the VED with no constriction ring, for 5 months. Patients were evaluated with the IIEF-5 questionnaire and measurements of penile flaccid length, stretched length, prepubic fat pad, and midshaft circumference before and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after RP; the mean (range) last follow-up visit was 9.5 (6-12) months after RP. RESULTS: The mean (sd) baseline IIEF scores were similar in groups 1 and 2, at 21.1 (4.6) and 22.3 (3.3), respectively (P = 0.54). The IIEF scores were significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 at 3 months, at 11.5 (9.4) vs 1.8 (1.4) (P = 0.008) and at 6 months, at 12.4 (8.7) vs 3.0 (1.9) (P = 0.012) after RP. There were no significant changes in penile flaccid length, prepubic fat pad, or mid-shaft circumference in either group. Stretched penile length was significantly decreased at both 3 and 6 months, by approximately 2 cm (P = 0.013) in group 2. By contrast, stretched penile length was preserved in group 1 at all sample times. At the last follow-up, the proportion of men with a mean loss of penile length of >/= 2 cm was significantly lower in group 1 than group 2 (two/17, 12%, vs five/11, P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Initiating the use of a VED protocol at 1 month after RP improves early sexual function and helps to preserve penile length.