Luts-V: A new simplified score for assessing lower urinary tract symptoms in men

ABSTRACT Objectives: Develop and validate a new and simplified score for evaluating the lower urinary tract symptoms in men. Materials and methods: We modified the existing visual prostate symptom score, including changes in the images, sequence, and new alternatives, resulting in a new visual score (LUTS visual score-LUTS-V). For the validation of the new tool, we used the International Prostatic Symptom Score as the gold-standard and the new LUTS-V to 306 men. The total IPSS score and the total LUTS-V score of each subject were evaluated to determine the agreement between the two instruments. ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and best cut-off of LUTS-V. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios were used to describe the diagnostic properties. Results: The mean age of the participants was 59 [52-87] years. There was a significant correlation between LUTS-V and IPSS. (r=0.72 (p <0.0001). The Bland-Altman analyzes demonstrate good agreement between the two questionnaires (bias=5.6%). LUTS-V demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy in detecting the most serious cases with an area under the ROC curve of 83% [78-87%] 95% CI. p <0.001). LUTS-V >4 was the best threshold, with a sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 78%. Conclusions: LUTS-V is a simple, self-administered tool with a significant discriminatory power to identify subjects with moderate to severe LUTS and may represent a useful instrument for the diagnosis and follow-up of men with urinary symptoms.

Prevalence of priapism in individuals with sickle cell disease and implications on male sexual function / Prevalência de priapismo em indivíduos com doença falciforme e suas implicações na função sexual masculina

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate epidemiological aspects of priapism in patients with sickle cell disease, and these aspects impact on adult sexual function. Methods This was a cross-sectional study including individuals with sickle cell disease who were evaluated at a reference center for sickle cell. Participants completed a structured questionnaire about their sociodemographic characteristics and priapism events. Sexual function was assessed using validated two instruments, the Erection Hardness Score and one about the sex life satisfaction. Results Sixty-four individuals with median aged of 12 (7 to 28) years were interviewed. The prevalence of priapism was 35.9% (23/64). The earliest priapism episode occurred at 2 years of age and the latest at 42 years. The statistical projection was that 71.1% of individuals of the study would have at least one episode of priapism throughout life. Patients with episodes of priapism (10/23) had significantly worse erectile function Erection Hardness Score of 2 [1-3]; p=0.01 and were less satisfied with sexual life 3 [3-5]; p=0.02. Conclusion Priapism is usually present in childhood, and severe episodes are associated with cavernous damage, impairment in the quality of the erection, and lower sexual satisfaction.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar aspectos epidemiológicos do priapismo em pacientes com doença falciforme e o impacto desses aspectos na função sexual de adultos. Métodos Trata-se de estudo transversal, que incluiu indivíduos com doença falciforme acompanhados em um centro de referência. Os participantes responderam a um questionário estruturado acerca das características sociodemográficas e eventos de priapismo. A função sexual foi avaliada por meio de dois instrumentos validados, a Escala de Rigidez de Ereção e um sobre satisfação com a vida sexual. Resultados Foram entrevistados 64 indivíduos com média de idade de 12 (7-28) anos. A prevalência de priapismo foi de 35,9% (23/64). O episódio mais precoce ocorreu aos 2 anos de idade e o mais tardio, aos 42 anos. A projeção estatística foi de que 71,1% desses sujeitos teriam pelo menos um episódio de priapismo ao longo da vida. Pacientes adultos com episódios de priapismo (10/23) apresentaram função erétil significativamente pior Escala de Rigidez de Ereção de 2 [1-3]; p=0,01 e estavam menos satisfeitos com a vida sexual 3 [3-5]; p=0,02. Conclusão O priapismo manifesta-se desde a infância, e episódios graves estão associados a dano cavernoso, prejuízo na qualidade da ereção e menor satisfação sexual.

Access of men with sickle cell disease and priapism in emergency services / Acesso de homens com doença falciforme e priapismo nos serviços de emergência

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Priapism is one of the complications of sickle cell disease characterized by a persistent and painful erection, which can lead to erectile dysfunction and sexual impotence. The objective of this study was to understand how men with sickle cell disease and priapism access emergency care. METHODS: A qualitative study conducted in a reference healthcare unit to people with sickle cell disease in the second largest city in Bahia. Seven adult men with sickle cell disease who had experienced priapism participated in the study. The data were collected by semi-structured interview and thematic story designs and submitted to content analysis. RESULTS: Priapism is seen as a lack of genital health. Participants use strategies to manage it at home to avoid embarrassment, which ends up in cocooning. Access to emergency services is motivated by persistent and relentless pain; and limited by the fear of priapism being mistaken for sexual deviance, lack of knowledge about the complication as a urologic emergency and financial shortfall, which confers a worse prognosis about erectile function. Men are embarrassed and discriminated by healthcare and support professionals, which discourages them from accessing these services in the future. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis of sickle cell disease, the orientation of family members and the need for healthcare professionals to educate young boys and men with sickle cell disease and their caregivers about priapism in advance to allow adequate self-care and prevent complications.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O priapismo é uma das complicações da doença falciforme caracterizada por ereção persistente e dolorosa, podendo levar à disfunção erétil e impotência sexual. O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender como os homens com doença falciforme e priapismo acessam os cuidados nos serviços de emergência. MÉTODOS: Estudo qualitativo realizado em unidade de saúde referência para pessoas com doença falciforme no segundo maior município baiano. Participaram do estudo 7 homens adultos com doença falciforme que já vivenciaram priapismo. Utilizou-se entrevista semiestruturada e desenhos-história com o tema, analisados por análise de conteúdo. RESULTADOS: O priapismo é visto como uma falta de saúde genital. Os participantes usam estratégias para seu manuseio em domicílio para evitar constrangimentos, o que acaba isolando-os socialmente. O acesso aos serviços de emergência é motivado pela dor persistente e irredutível; e limitado pelo temor do priapismo ser confundido como resultado de desvio sexual, desconhecimento da complicação como emergência urológica e carência financeira, o que confere pior prognóstico sobre a função erétil. Os homens sofrem constrangimento e discriminação pelos profissionais de saúde e de apoio das unidades, o que os desmotiva a acessar esses serviços no futuro. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo ressalta a importância do diagnóstico precoce da doença falciforme, da orientação de familiares e da necessidade de os profissionais de saúde educarem os meninos/homens jovens com doença falciforme e seus cuidadores sobre o priapismo de forma prévia, para permitir o adequado autocuidado futuro e prevenção de complicações.