Efficacy and Tolerability of Solifenacin 5 mg Fixed Dose in Korean Children with Newly Diagnosed Idiopathic Overactive Bladder: a Multicenter Prospective Study

We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of solifenacin 5 mg fixed dose in children with newly diagnosed idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB). A total of 34 children (male/female patients = 16/18) aged under 13 years (mean age: 7.2 ± 2.3; range: 5–12) who were newly diagnosed with OAB from January 2012 to September 2014 were prospectively evaluated with open-label protocol. All patients were treated with solifenacin 5 mg fixed dose once daily for at least 4 weeks. The efficacy and tolerability of solifenacin were evaluated 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment. The mean voiding frequency during daytime was decreased from 9.4 ± 3.0 to 6.5 ± 2.3 times after the 12-week treatment (P < 0.001). The mean total OAB symptom score (OABSS) decreased from 7.7 ± 4.2 to 3.1 ± 3.1 after the 12-week treatment (P < 0.001). The urgency and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) domains significantly improved from the 12-week treatment, and complete resolution of urgency occurred in 38.9% of patients and the percentage of children with UUI among urgent patients decreased from 79.4% to 57.1%. According to 3-day voiding diaries, the average bladder capacity increased from 90.4 ± 44.4 to 156.2 ± 67.3 mL (P < 0.001). Drug-induced adverse effects (AEs) were reported in 7 patients (20.6%). Our results indicate that solifenacin 5 mg fixed dose is effective against OAB symptoms, and its tolerability is acceptable without significant AEs in children with OAB.

The Change of Stretched Penile Length and Anthropometric Data in Korean Children Aged 0-14 Years: Comparative Study of Last 25 Years

There has been a great improvement in height and weight of Korean children owing to economic development over the last 25 years. This study aimed to evaluate the penile length of Korean children today and to compare it with a previous Korean study reported in 1987. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 909 Korean boys aged 0-14 years who had been brought to outpatient clinics of five tertiary hospitals (Busan, Ulsan, and Changwon) between September 2013 and May 2015. The stretched penile length (SPL) was measured and the testicular size was measured using orchidometry (mL). Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the result of our study and the study reported in 1987. SPL of Korean children gradually increased from 4.1 ± 0.8 cm at 0-1 year old to 9.6 ± 3.0 cm at 13-14 years old, the most rapidly during the age of 13. While body weight and testicular size significantly increased from 1987 in most of age groups, there were no significant changes in SPL although there was in some age groups. Height decreased in the infants 6 years old. With the great economic development over the last quarter century in Korea, height, body weight, and testicular size of children significantly increased but there was no significant change in SPL except penile growth pattern.

The Impact of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms on Quality of Life, Work Productivity, Depressive Symptoms, and Sexuality in Korean Men Aged 40 Years and Older: A Population-Based Survey / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: To examine the impact of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Korean men aged > or =40 years. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional door-to-door survey was conducted among men aged > or =40 years. Individuals with LUTS were defined as men reporting at least one LUTS using 2002 International Continence Society definitions. Structuredquestionnaires were used to assess several dimensions of HRQoL, including generic health status (EuroQoL-five-dimensions questionnaire), work productivity (work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire), depressive symptoms (center for epidemiologic studies depression scale), and sexual health (sexual satisfaction and erectile dysfunction). The impact of LUTS was assessed by comparing several dimensions of HRQoL among men with and without LUTS. RESULTS: Of the 1,842 participants, 1,536 (83.4%) reported having at least one LUTS. The prevalence of LUTS increased with age (78.3% among those aged 40-49 years to 89.6% among those aged 60 years or older). Those with LUTS reported a significantlylower level of generic health status and worse work productivity compared with those without LUTS. Significantly more individuals with LUTS reported having a higher level of major depressive symptoms compared with those without LUTS.Those with LUTS reported worse sexual activity and enjoyment, and were significantly more likely to have erectile dysfunction than those without LUTS. CONCLUSIONS: LUTS seem to have a substantial impact on several dimensions of HRQoL in Korean men aged > or =40 years.

The association between maternal depression and childhood allergic diseases: an analysis of the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012)

PURPOSE: Asthma and atopic dermatitis are common chronic diseases and depression is an important comorbidity in allergic diseases. However, the association between maternal depression and child allergic diseases is little known. This study was performed to find out the association between maternal depression and child allergic diseases. METHODS: Data were acquired from 2,737 families who participated in the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which was conducted from 2010 through 2012. RESULTS: The prevalence of childhood asthma was 5.3% and that of childhood atopic dermatitis was 14.1%. The prevalence of maternal depression was 3.9%. In univariate analysis, maternal depressions was associated with maternal smoking, lower education level, lower economic state, lower number of household members, maternal asthma, children's asthma (P<0.05), but marital status, maternal employment status, maternal atopic dermatitis, children's sex, children's age, children's atopic dermatitis, residence area were not related to maternal depression. After adjustment, maternal depression was associated with lower house income, maternal asthma, and children's asthma (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study shows that maternal depression may be associated with childhood asthma, but not childhood atopic dermatitis. These results warrant future studies to explore the mechanisms responsible for the association between maternal depression and childhood asthma.

Erratum: Efficacy and Tolerability of Anticholinergics in Korean Children with Overactive Bladder: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

We made a mistake in our recently published article.

Stress-Induced Depression Is Alleviated by Aerobic Exercise Through Up-Regulation of 5-Hydroxytryptamine 1A Receptors in Rats / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: Stress is associated with depression, which induces many psychiatric disorders. Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT), acts as a biochemical messenger and regulator in the brain. It also mediates several important physiological functions. Depression is closely associated with an overactive bladder. In the present study, we investigated the effect of treadmill exercise on stress-induced depression while focusing on the expression of 5-HT 1A (5-H(1A)) receptors in the dorsal raphe. METHODS: Stress was induced by applying a 0.2-mA electric foot shock to rats. Each set of electric foot shocks comprised a 6-second shock duration that was repeated 10 times with a 30-second interval. Three sets of electric foot shocks were applied each day for 7 days. For the confirmation of depressive state, a forced swimming test was performed. To visualize the expression of 5-HT and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), immunohistochemistry for 5-HT and TPH in the dorsal raphe was performed. Expression of 5-H(1A) receptors was determined by western blot analysis. RESULTS: A depressive state was induced by stress, and treadmill exercise alleviated the depression symptoms in the stress-induced rats. Expressions of 5-HT, TPH, and HT 1A in the dorsal raphe were reduced by the induction of stress. Treadmill exercise increased 5-HT, TPH, and HT 1A expressions in the stress-induced rats. CONCLUSIONS: Treadmill exercise enhanced 5-HT synthesis through the up-regulation of 5-HT(1A) receptors, and improved the stress-induced depression. In the present study, treadmill exercise improved depression symptoms by enhancing 5-HT(1A) receptor expression. The present results suggest that treadmill exercise might be helpful for the alleviation of overactive bladder and improve sexual function.

Optimizing in vivo gene transfer into mouse corpus cavernosum by use of surface electroporation

PURPOSE: Electroporation is known to enhance the efficiency of gene transfer through a transient increase in cell membrane permeability. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal conditions for in vivo electroporation-mediated gene delivery into mouse corpus cavernosum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin. After intracavernous injection of pCMV-Luc (100 microg/40 microL), different electroporation settings (5-50 V, 8-16 pulses with a duration of 40-100 ms) were applied to the penis to establish the optimal conditions for electroporation. Gene expression was evaluated by luciferase assay. We also assessed the undesired consequences of electroporation by visual inspection and hematoxylin-eosin staining of penile tissue. RESULTS: Electroporation profoundly induced gene expression in the corpus cavernosum tissue of normal mice in a voltage-dependent manner. We observed electrical burn scars in the penis of normal mice who received electroporation with eight 40-ms pulses at a voltage of 50 V and sixteen 40-ms pulses, eight 100-ms pulses, and sixteen 100-ms pulses at a voltage of 30 V. No detectable burn scars were noted in normal mice stimulated with eight 40-ms pulses at a voltage of 30 V. Electroporation also significantly induced gene expression in diabetic mice stimulated with 40-ms pulse at a voltage of 30 V without injury to the penis. CONCLUSIONS: We have established the optimal electroporation conditions for maximizing gene transfer into the corpus cavernosum of mice while avoiding damage to the erectile tissue. The electroporation-mediated gene delivery technique will be a valuable tool for gene therapy in the field of erectile dysfunction.

Penile length, digit length, and anogenital distance according to birth weight in newborn male infants

PURPOSE: Anogential distance (AGD) and the 2:4 digit length ratio appear to provide a reliable guide to fetal androgen exposure. We intended to investigate the current status of penile size and the relationship between penile length and AGD or digit length according to birth weight in Korean newborn infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2013 and February 2014, among a total of 78 newborn male infants, 55 infants were prospectively included in this study. Newborn male infants with a gestational age of 38 to 42 weeks and birth weight>2.5 kg were assigned to the NW group (n=24) and those with a gestational age<38 weeks and birth weight<2.5 kg were assigned to the LW group (n=31). Penile size and other variables were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Stretched penile length of the NW group was 3.3+/-0.2 cm, which did not differ significantly from that reported in 1987. All parameters including height, weight, penile length, testicular size, AGD, and digit length were significantly lower in the LW group than in the NW group. However, there were no significant differences in AGD ratio or 2:4 digit length ratio between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The penile length of newborn infants has not changed over the last quarter century in Korea. With normal penile appearance, the AGD ratio and 2:4 digit length ratio are consistent irrespective of birth weight, whereas AGD, digit length, and penile length are significantly smaller in newborns with low birth weight.

Relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and lung function among Korean adults

PURPOSE: The relationship between vitamin D status and pulmonary function has been investigated in several studies. But previous study results are controversial. We want to know the relationship between vitamin D status and pulmonary function in Korean adults in small regional area. METHODS: The medical records of 3,253 subjects were reviewed retrospectively, those visited for routine health examination in Samsung Changwon Hospital between January and December 2013. All of them were workers in one company and lived in one island ('Geojedo'). RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency group (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]<20 ng/mL) showed lowed % forced vital capacity in one second (%FEV1; P<0.01), forced vital capacity (FVC; P<0.01) and higher FEV1/FVC (P<0.01). Serum 25(OH)D was positively correlated with %FEV1 (R=0.035, P<0.05), %FVC (R=0.081, P<0.01), FVC (R=0.125, P<0.01) and negatively with FEV1/FVC (R=-0.083, P<0.01). After adjustment for smoking history, we found serum 25(OH)D level was positively correlated with %FVC (R=0.058, P<0.01), FVC (R=0.093, P<0.01) and negatively with FEV1/FVC (R=-0.055, P<0.01). After adjustment for smoking and asthma history, we found serum 25(OH)D level was positive correlated with %FVC (R=0.103, P<0.01) and negatively with FEV1/FVC (R=-0.119, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Serum 25(OH)D level was associated with pulmonary function.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Anticholinergics in Korean Children with Overactive Bladder: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of various anticholinergics in Korean children with non-neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB). A total of 326 children (males:females= 157:169) aged under 18 yr (mean age 7.3+/-2.6 yr) who were diagnosed with OAB from 2008 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean duration of OAB symptoms before anticholinergic treatment was 16.9+/-19.0 months. The mean duration of medication was 5.6+/-7.3 months. Urgency urinary incontinence episodes per week decreased from 1.9+/-3.1 to 0.4+/-1.5 times (P<0.001). The median voiding frequency during daytime was decreased from 9.2+/-5.4 to 6.3+/-4.2 times (P<0.001). According to 3-day voiding diaries, the maximum and average bladder capacity were increased from 145.5+/-66.9 to 196.8+/-80.3 mL and from 80.8+/-39.6 to 121.8+/-56.5 mL, respectively (P<0.001). On uroflowmetry, maximum flow rate was increased from 17.6+/-8.4 to 20.5+/-8.2 mL/sec (P<0.001). Adverse effects were reported in 14 (4.3%) children and six children (1.8%) discontinued medication due to adverse effects. Our results indicate that anticholinergics are effective to improve OAB symptoms and tolerability was acceptable without severe complications in children.

Role of Prostate Volume in the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer in a Cohort with Slowly Increasing Prostate Specific Antigen

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between prostate volume and the increased risk for being diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) in men with slowly increasing prostate specific antigen (PSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 1035 men who visited our hospital's health promotion center and were checked for serum PSA levels more than two times between January 2001 and November 2011 were included. Among them, 116 patients had a change in PSA levels from less than 4 ng/mL to more than 4 ng/mL and underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. Median age was 55.9 years and 26 (22.4%) had PCa. We compared the initial PSA level, the last PSA level, age, prostate volume, PSA density (PSAD), PSA velocity, and follow-up period between men with and without PCa. The mean follow-up period was 83.7 months. RESULTS: Significant predictive factors for the detection of prostate cancer identified by univariate analysis were prostate volume, follow-up period and PSAD. In the multivariate analysis, prostate volume (p<0.001, odds ratio: 0.890) was the most significant factor for the detection of prostate cancer. In the receiver operator characteristic curve of prostate volume, area under curve was 0.724. At the cut-off value of 28.8 mL for prostate volume, the sensitivity and specificity were 61.1% and 73.1% respectively. CONCLUSION: In men with PSA values more than 4 ng/mL during the follow-up period, a small prostate volume was the most important factor in early detection of prostate cancer.

Clinical Significance of Wnt/beta-Catenin Signalling and Androgen Receptor Expression in Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationships among the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, androgen receptor (AR), and clinicopathological factors in hormone-naive prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted with132 cases of hormone-naive prostate cancer treated by prostatectomy and prostate needle biopsy. An immunohistochemical study using antibodies against beta-catenin, matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), and the AR was performed. For the in vitro study, PC-3, LNCaP, 22Rv1, and DU145 cell lines were used. RESULTS: The clinical or pathological stage ware a localized cancer in 36 patients (27.3%), locally advanced cancer in 31 (23.5%), and metastatic cancer in 65 (49.2%). We detected increased beta-catenin, AR, and MMP-7 expression with a high Gleason grade, disease progression, and increasing serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (p<0.01). In Spearman's rank correlations, the expression of cytoplasmic beta-catenin, MMP-7, and the AR were found to be significantly positively correlated. In addition, the expression of beta-catenin, MMP-7, and the AR were significantly correlated with clinicopathological variables indicative of a poor prognosis. Forty-nine patients with primary androgen deprivation had short response durations from hormone therapy to PSA progression with elevated MMP-7 expression on the Kaplan-Meier curve (p=0.0036). CONCLUSIONS: These data show that an activated Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and AR expression in prostate cancer are correlated with metastasis and aggressiveness. In addition, the expression of MMP-7 protein, a target of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, is associated with PSA progression in prostate cancer patients undergoing primary hormone therapy.

Change in Penile Length in Children: Preliminary Study

PURPOSE: Studies of penile length in children have been rarely conducted. In Korea, great improvements in height and weight have been observed because of economic development over the past 25 years. We investigated the current status of penile length in Korean children and compared the results with those of a previous Korean study conducted in 1987. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects in this study were 233 boys aged 1 to 158 months, each of whom had been brought to outpatient clinics between April and October 2011. Penile length was measured according to the stretched penile length (SPL) technique; testicular size was measured (in ml) by using orchidometry. A comparison of penile lengths between the current study and the 1987 study was made by using Student's t-test. RESULTS: SPL increased significantly by 0.7 to 1.1 cm in most age groups (p<0.05). Current anthropometric measures of Korean children such as height, body weight, and testicular size have increased compared with those from 1987. CONCLUSIONS: Penile length has increased significantly over the last quarter century. Therefore, it is suggested that novel reference values for penile length in prepubertal Korean children be determined in studies with a larger community-based population in order to diagnose and treat size-related penile disorders.

Penile Abscess Secondary to Neglected Penile Fracture after Intracavernosal Vasoactive Drug Injection

Penile abscesses are rare, but can develop after trauma, injection therapy, or surgery of the penis, or as an unusual presentation of sexually transmitted diseases. We report a case of penile abscess in a 51-year-old diabetic man, presented 9 days after neglected penile fracture following intracavernosal injection therapy and sexual intercourse. Penile ultrasonography and surgical exploration confirmed the physical examination findings of involvement of the corpus cavernosum. The pus culture from the abscess revealed Enterococcous faecalis. The patient was successfully treated by surgical drainage of the abscess and primary closure of the ruptured tunica albuginea.

A Case of Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy for a Prostatic Stromal Tumor of Uncertain Malignant Potential

Prostatic stromal tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) is a rare neoplasm with distinctive clinical and pathological characteristics. Here we report a case of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy performed in a patient with prostatic STUMP.

A Case of Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy for a Prostatic Stromal Tumor of Uncertain Malignant Potential

Prostatic stromal tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) is a rare neoplasm with distinctive clinical and pathological characteristics. Here we report a case of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy performed in a patient with prostatic STUMP.

Corporeal Fibrosis and Erectile Dysfunction as Sequelae of Unrepaired Penile Blunt Trauma / 대한남성과학회지

Penile fracture is an injury caused by the rupture of the tunica albuginea. We report an uncommon case of penile fracture with corporeal fibrosis and erectile dysfunction in a 45-year-old man who sustained a straddle injury to the erect penis. He presented with palpable plaque in the bilateral proximal corpora cavernosa and markedly decreased erectile rigidity at the distal side of the plaque. Exploration and excision of the penile plaque were performed. The patient partially recovered erectile function after surgery and administration of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor.

Comprehension and Practice Patterns Toward Cryptorchidism in Korean Urologists

PURPOSE: We evaluated the practice patterns of urologists in Korea regarding the diagnosis and management of cryptorchidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Self-completed questionnaires that consisted of 15 items concerning the diagnosis and treatment of cryptorchidism were distributed via letters or e-mail to 167 urologists who practiced in training hospitals in Korea. Responses were collected and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Responses were received from 89 urologists (response rate was 53.5%). Most of the urologists (96%) recommended that cryptorchidism be treated at the age of 1 year or before. In the case of postpubertal cryptorchidism, 72% of Korean urologists preferred orchiopexy first because of cosmesis (42%) and early detection of testicular cancer (38%). Sixty-five percent of all urologists preferred surgical correction of a retractile testis at the time of diagnosis or when the condition persisted until school age or puberty. Pediatric urologists were more conservative in terms of management of a retractile testis than were general urologists (p=0.009). To detect hidden testes in nonpalpable cryptorchidism, most urologists (92%) performed imaging studies, whereas only 39% of urologists performed laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Korean urologists who practice in the training hospitals have a high level of understanding of the management of cryptorchidism. However, some differences of opinion exist in the diagnosis and treatment of nonpalpable undescended testis and retractile testis. These results can be used as baseline data for establishing future diagnosis and treatment guidelines for cryptorchidism.

Diagnosis and Management of Cryptorchidism

Cryptorchidism or an undescended testis is one of the most common congenital anomalies found at birth and affects about 3% of full-term male newborns. A cryptorchid testis can be located anywhere between the abdominal cavity and just outside the scrotum, and 80% of undescended testes are palpable. Approximately three-fourths of cryptorchid testes will spontaneously descend, usually by 3 months of age. Children with retractile testes require annual follow-up until puberty or the testis is no longer retractile. Determination of whether the testis is present on physical examination is critically important because it guides further workup and treatment. Although radiological evaluation does not have a relevant role in the assessment of undescended testes and would not influence surgical management, many physicians have been performed it to verify the location and condition of cryptorchid testis. The efficacy of hormonal treatment is less than 20% and is significantly dependent on pretreatment testicular location. Therefore, surgical repositioning of the testis within the scrotal sac, i.e., orchiopexy, remains the gold standard for the management of undescended testes and it should be performed between 6 and 12 months of age because spontaneous descent occurs uncommonly thereafter, and in order to prevent the complications and long-term sequelae of cryptorchidism, such as testicular torsion, trauma, infertility, and testicular cancer. Recently, laparoscopy has attained its greatest degree of general acceptance, both diagnostically and therapeutically, in the realm of pediatric urology for the management of a nonpalpable testis.

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Tourette's Disorder: Case Report / 대한정신약물학회지

Tourette's disorder is a chronic refractory neuro-behavioral disease. New treatment strategies, such as repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), have been introduced recently. We report the effect of rTMS in a case with Tourette's disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a common combination in the clinical setting. This was a treatment-refractory patient, who had undergone 2 years of drug treatment and psychiatric consultation. We administered 10 sessions of rTMS for 10 days, resulting in a clear improvement in symptoms not only of Tourette's disorder but also of ADHD. Our observations indicate that rTMS may be effective in the treatment of Tourette's disorder with ADHD.