The role of nutritional interventions in prostate cancer: A review.

The high prevalence rate in conjunction with the long latency period made prostate cancer (PCa) an attractive and reasonable candidate for preventive measures. So far, several dietary and nutritional interventions have been implemented and studied with the aim of preventing the development or delaying the progression of PCa. Calorie restriction accompanied by weight loss has been shown to be associated with decreased likelihood of aggressive PCa. Supplements have played a major role in nutritional interventions. While genistein and lycopene seemed promising as preventive agents, minerals such as zinc and selenium were shown to be devoid of protective effects. The role of vitamins has been widely studied, with special emphasis on vitamins with antioxidant properties. Data related to Vitamin A and Vitamin C were rather controversial and positive effects were of insignificant magnitude. Vitamin E was associated with a decreased risk of PCa in high-risk groups like smokers. However, when it comes to Vitamin D, the serum levels might affect the risk of PCa. While deficiency of this vitamin was associated with increased risk, high serum levels imposed the risk of aggressive disease. Despite the seemingly promising effects of dietary measures on PCa, no firm recommendation could be made due to the limitations of the studies and evidence. However, the majority of these advices could be followed by the patients with the intent of living a healthy lifestyle.

Resolution of Hydronephrosis in Children with Dysfunctional Voiding After Biofeedback Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

We assessed efficacy of biofeedback therapy and home pelvic floor muscle exercises in children with dysfunctional voiding (DV) associated with mild to moderate hydronephrosis. This prospective study comprised fifty seven children (21 boys, 36 girls; mean age 8.9 ± 2.6) with DV and mild to moderate hydronephrosis. Children were randomly allocated into two treatment groups including control group who underwent standard urotherapy and case group who received biofeedback therapy in addition to standard urotherapy. A 99mTc diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (99mDTPA) scan, voiding cystoureterography, kidney and bladder ultrasounds, voiding diary and uroflowmetry with electromyography (EMG) were performed in all study participants at the baseline. Children with evidence of complete obstruction in DTPA scan and vesicoureteral reflux were excluded from enrollment. A complete voiding diary, kidney and bladder ultrasounds and uroflowmetry/EMG were also performed 6 months and 1 year after completion of the treatment. We noted a more significant decline in anteroposterior pelvic diameter in case group compared to control group (P < 0.05). The mean maximal urine flow rate prior to treatment was 16.5 ± 2.6 and 16.1 ± 3 ml/s in case and control groups, respectively. This finding increased significantly 1 year after the treatment in case group compared to controls (25 ± 7.2 ml/s vs. 18.4 ± 5.9 ml/s, respectively; P < 0.001). Improvement of various parameters in voiding diary was also more significant in the case group. Biofeedback therapy can effectively resolve non-refluxing and non-obstructive hydronephrosis in children with DV.

Is bowel preparation necessary before kidney-ureter-bladder radiography and intravenous urography?

PURPOSE: To assess whether bowel preparation prior to kidney-ureter-bladder (KUB) radiography and intravenous urography (IVU) are of value in improving visualization of the urinary system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 186 patients participated in this study. Thirty-nine patients with chronic constipation based on Rome III criteria and 147 patients with normal bowel habits were included. All the patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in group 1 received castor oil before imaging and had to eat or drink nothing after midnight. Patients in group 2 were allowed to eat and drink before the examination and received no bowel preparation. Kidney-ureter-bladder radiographies were obtained in all the patients and IVUs were indicated in 77 patients. To assess the image quality, radiographic images were divided into 5 anatomical regions and each region was scored from 0 to 3 based on obscurity of the images by the bowel gas or fecal residue. RESULTS: Mean total score for visualization of the urinary system on plain and contrast images did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = .253). However, patients with chronic constipation who received bowel preparation revealed a significantly better visualization score on plain images (P = .001). CONCLUSION: Bowel preparation prior to KUB and IVU does not improve the quality of the images in patients with normal bowel habits. However, a significantly better visualization of KUB was noted among patients with chronic constipation who had received bowel preparation.

Long-term outcome of trans urethral prostatectomy in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the different aspects of the postoperative outcomes in diabetics and nondiabetics of transurethral prostatectomy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: From December 2000 to December 2003, a total of 138 men with BPH, who were candidates for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), were selected for this study, of these 20 were diabetics. The International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and the erectile function were assessed preoperatively and during an average follow-up period of 63 months postoperatively. Comorbid conditions and all surgical complications during the follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected between the baseline IPSS and the prostate volume in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Both groups showed significant reductions in IPSS, and greater reductions were detected in nondiabetic patients 6 months after their operations that were not statistically significant (23.5 +/- 8.0 versus 20.9 +/- 7.6 respectively, p = 0.169). There were no significant differences in the perioperative complications. The incidence of a second TURP was higher in diabetics (25% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.033). Although not statistically significant, a higher incidence of postoperative erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetic patients (37.5% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.073) was observed. CONCLUSION: TURP is a beneficial and safe procedure in diabetic patients with BPH and is not associated with a higher incidence of perioperative or postoperative complications except for the possible postoperative ED and the retreatment rate that seems to be higher.

Opium consumption and risk of bladder cancer: A case-control analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the relationship between opium consumption and bladder cancer (BC) in a case-control study of an Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a hospital-based case-control study of 179 patients with BC and 179 cancer-free controls frequency-matched by age, sex, and smoking status, we investigated the relationship between opium consumption and BC. A comprehensive epidemiologic interview was conducted on all participants to collect personal information, such as demographics and smoking status. RESULTS: Overall, we found significant age, sex, cigarette smoking adjusted association between BC risk and opium consumption, [odds ratio (OR) = 4.60; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.53-6.28]. The elevated risk was more evident in older individuals (OR = 5.42; 95% CI, 4.12-7.28) than younger individuals (OR = 3.65; 95% CI, 2.76-4.76) (P = 0.01). Heavy smokers with the opium consumption exhibited a 6-fold elevated risk for BC (OR = 6.16; 95% CI, 3.34-8.32) (P = 0.0001). When stratified according to different grades of BC, a 3.4-fold increased risk was associated with the opium consumption in grade III with an OR of 3.44 (95% CI, 2.82-8.28) (P = 0.001). A similar but slightly higher risk was also seen in case of grade IV tumors (OR = 3.86; 95% CI, 2.14-10.16) (P = 0.001). Invasive bladder tumors were more common among the opiates users (OR = 2.6; 95% CI, 1.44-5.42) (P = 0.01). Cumulative risk of BC in women with opium consumption (OR = 4.10 95% CI, 3.54-5.88) (P = 0.001) was slightly less than in men (OR = 5.10 95% CI, 3.54-5.88) (P = 0.0001). Based on Pearson correlations, the risk of BC significantly correlated with opium dependence duration (r = 0.74, P = 0.001), type of opiate used (r = 0.65, P = 0.001), and simultaneous cigarette smoking (r = 0.74, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that there is about 5-fold increase in risk of developing this cancer in the presence of opium consumption. Further research is needed to investigate the functional implications of the opium consumption in BC.

Erectile dysfunction after prostatectomy: an evaluation of the risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients who have undergone prostatectomy has been assessed in the previous studies; however, its rate and risk factors vary in different studies. This study was conducted to assess the possible risk factors for ED after prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 246 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who were candidates for either open prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) were admitted in this study during a period of 3 years between December 2000 and December 2003. Cardiac risk index was assessed before the operation using American Heart Association guidelines and erectile function was assessed both preoperatively and 6 months after surgery. Patients with moderate to severe ED according to the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function were considered as ED afflicted. In this study, the prevalence of preoperative ED, the incidence of postoperative ED, and those conditions that could lead to an increase in the incidence of postoperative ED in either procedure were determined. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 63.7+/-9.7 years. The prevalence rates of preoperative ED were 24.6% and 25.9% in TURP and open prostatectomy groups, respectively. Among patients with no or mild ED preoperatively, 12.5% showed moderate to severe ED postoperatively (13.4% in TURP group vs 11.25% in open prostatectomy group). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rate of postoperative ED after prostatectomy was 12.5%. Risk factors for its appearance included hypertension, diabetes mellitus, higher transfusion rates, higher cardiac risk index and an older age.