Association between body mass index, metabolic syndrome and common urologic conditions: a cross-sectional study using a large multi-institutional database from the United States.

INTRODUCTION: The study aims to determine whether body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome (MS) or its individual components (primary hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemias) are risk factors for common urological diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with data collected on February 28, 2022 from the TriNetX Research Network. Patients were divided in cohorts according to their BMI, presence of MS (BMI > 30 kg/m2, type 2 diabetes mellitus, primary hypertension and disorders of lipoprotein metabolism) and its individual components and its association with common urological conditions was determined. For each analysis, odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Statistical significance was assessed at p < .05. RESULTS: BMI > 30 kg/m2 was associated with increased risk of lithiasis, kidney cancer, overactive bladder, male hypogonadism, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and erectile dysfunction (p < .05). On the contrary, BMI was inversely associated with ureteral, bladder and prostate cancer (p < .05). In all urological diseases, MS was the strongest risk factor, with prostate cancer (OR = 2.53) showing the weakest and male hypogonadism the strongest (OR = 13.00) associations. CONCLUSIONS: MS and its individual components were significant risk factors for common urological conditions. Hence holistic approaches with lifestyle modification might prevent common urological disease.Key messagesOverall, metabolic syndrome is the strongest risk factor for all the analysed urological diseases.Abnormally high body mass index can be a risk or protective factor depending on the threshold and urological disease that are being evaluated.Metabolic syndrome and increased BMI should be considered important factors associated to the prevalence of common urological diseases.

Incorporating the Principles of Sex Therapy into Urologic Care.

Urologic conditions and their treatments can have a significant impact on patients' sexual functioning and sexual health. Although urologists address sexual dysfunction within their scope of practice, sexual health conversations occur rarely and focus narrowly on physiologic sexual function. The sex therapy perspective considers biologic, psychological, relationship, and cultural aspects of sexuality. We propose that urologists benefit from taking this perspective when performing sexual health assessment. Urologists are not required to provide sex therapy but can optimize their patient's sexual well-being by taking a holistic perspective on sex and offering informational resources and referral to colleagues with complementary sexual health expertise.

Prevention of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Neurourology.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common complications of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). As the underlying neurogenic dysfunction often cannot be resolved, prophylaxis is of utmost importance, as UTIs are associated with significant morbidity and lower quality of life. Prevention is based on a correct diagnosis, as asymptomatic bacteriuria should not be treated. First, bladder management should be optimized and morphologic causes of UTI should be excluded. If UTI persists, medical prophylaxis is advised. Prophylaxis currently involves a trial-and-error approach, including mainly phytotherapy and immune stimulation. Long-term antibiotic prophylaxis should be avoided whenever possible. Among the current experimental techniques, bacteriophage use seems to be the most promising. Although UTIs are a frequent problem in NLUTD, no prophylaxis with evidence-based efficacy has been identified. Therefore, well-designed studies are necessary. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this review, the reasons for urinary tract infection (UTI) in individuals with bladder problems due to a disorder of the nervous system are explained and possible methods for UTI prevention are described.

Documento de consenso sobre pautas de actuación y seguimiento del varón con síntomas del tracto urinario inferior secundarios a hiperplasia prostática benigna / Consensus document on the management and follow-up of the male with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostate hyperplasia

La hiperplasia benigna de próstata (HBP) es una patología con una alta incidencia. Su diagnóstico y tratamiento son compartidos entre urólogos y médicos de atención primaria. Su manejo consume una enorme cantidad de recursos. La Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN), la Sociedad Española de Médicos Generales y de Familia (SEMG), la Sociedad Española de Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria (semFYC) y la Asociación Española de Urología (AEU) han elaborado un documento sobre pautas de actuación y seguimiento de la HBP, presentado aquí de manera resumida, en el que se pretende actualizar las guías anteriormente publicadas, en base a las últimas evidencias. Estas nuevas recomendaciones tienen como objetivo principal sensibilizar al médico de atención primaria y ayudarle en la evaluación diagnóstica, el tratamiento y el seguimiento, además de aportar criterios unificados y consensuados de derivación al segundo nivel asistencial (AU)

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a high-incidence condition. Its diagnosis and treatment is shared between urologists and Primary Care physicians. Its management uses up a significant amount of resources. The Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN), the Spanish Society of General Practitioners and Family Doctors (SEMG), the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC), and the Spanish Association of Urology (AEU) have prepared a document on the management and monitoring of BPH, in which the aim is to incorporate the latest evidence in order to update the previously published guidelines, and present them here in condensed form. The main objective of these new recommendations is to raise the awareness of Primary Care physicians and assist them in its diagnostic evaluation, treatment and monitoring, as well as providing unified consensus criteria for referral to the secondary care level (AU)

[The application of the preformed physical factors for the combined treatment of the patients presenting with chronic vesiculitis]. / Preformirovannye fizicheskie faktory v kompleksnoi terapii patsientov s khronicheskim vezikulitom.

UNLABELLED: The problem of the development of the new efficient methods for the treatment of the patients presenting with chronic bacterial vesiculitis (CBV) is currently considered among the important priorities. AIM: The objective of the present study was to provide a scientifically sound substantiation for the application of sinusoidal modulated currents (SMC), magnetic fields, and laser radiation in the combined treatment of the patients with CBV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 121 patients presenting with chronic bacterial vesiculitis were examined and treated during the latent phase of the inflammatory process. They were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (main) was comprised of 40 patients treated, in addition to basal pharmacotherapy, by supravascular contact laser irradiation of the cubital vein area followed after 2-3 hours by the application of sinusoidal modulated currents to the pubosacral region. Group 2 included 41patents given, besides basal pharmacotherapy, laser therapy in the same regimen as in group 1 supplemented after 2-3 hours by abdominal magnetic therapy. Group 3 (control) received traditional pharmacotherapy in the combination with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medicines. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the patients of group 2 exhibited the most pronounced positive dynamics of the clinical signs and symptoms estimated from the total National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and of the characteristics of the quality of life evaluated based on the QLS scale. The patients of the two former groups experienced a more conspicuous decrease in the activity of the inflammatory process in seminal vesicles, restoration of their structural and anatomical features (as shown by the transrectal ultrasound study), improvement of testosterone metabolism, and normalization of the spermogram characteristics in comparison with controls. The analysis of the spermograms revealed the tendency toward the increase in the number of actively motile spermatozoa only in the patients of group 2. The combined treatment of the patients of the two former groups resulted in the decrease of the level of sex hormone-binding globulin and the increase of the free androgen index. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that the application of the preformed physical factors for the treatment of the patients presenting with chronic bacterial vesiculitis enhances the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy and decreases both the frequency and the duration of relapses of the disease.

Determination by GC-IT/MS of phytosterols in herbal medicinal products for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms and food products marketed in Europe.

A method for the determination of phytosterols in herbal medicinal products for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms and food products is described here. Using a convenient sample preparation protocol and sensitive gas chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry analysis, ten different sterols, among them five Δ(7)-phytosterols as typical constituents of pumpkin seed preparations, could be identified and quantified. This protocol was applied to the analysis of 31 marketed products, from which seven were raw materials.

Vitamin D deficiency in the urological population: a single center analysis.

PURPOSE: Vitamin D has a well-known role in calcium metabolism and bone health. It may also help prevent a number of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and malignancies such as breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. To our knowledge the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has never been reported in the general urological population. We evaluated the vitamin D status of this population at a large academic center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 3,763 male and female patients from a urology database at a single academic institution. Patients were identified whose levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured for the first time between 1997 and 2010. We determined the prevalence of normal--greater than 30, insufficient--20 to 29 and deficient--less than 20 ng/ml 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. RESULTS: Overall 2,559 patients (68%) had suboptimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (less than 30 ng/ml), of whom 1,331 (52%) were frankly deficient (less than 20 ng/ml) in the vitamin. Vitamin D deficiency was more common in patients younger than age 50 years (44.5%), black (53.2%) and Hispanic (41.6%) patients (p <0.001), and patients without an existing urological malignancy (35.4%, p <0.001). On multivariate analysis race, age, season and cancer diagnosis were independent predictors of vitamin D status. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common in urological patients at a major urban medical center. Urologists should consider recommending appropriate supplementation during the initial assessment of all patients.

Heart health = urologic health and heart unhealthy = urologic unhealthy: rapid review of lifestyle changes and dietary supplements.

Almost all aspects of urology are affected positively and negatively by certain lifestyle changes and dietary supplements. Some of these interventions have potential profound impacts independently or in combination with conventional therapy, others have no impact, and some could negatively impact treatment and overall health. The heart-healthiest recommendations have consistently served as the safest and most potentially effective options in urology from benign prostatic hyperplasia, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, interstitial cystitis, multiple urologic cancers, male infertility, male and female sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, and Peyronie disease.

The relationship between lower urinary tract symptom severity and sleep disturbance in the CAMUS trial.

PURPOSE: Bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms, including nocturia, significantly impact general health related quality of life in men, as does sleep disturbance. However, few groups have examined the relationship between urinary symptom severity and sleep disturbance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men enrolled in a clinical trial of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) were studied at baseline. Lower urinary tract symptom severity, as determined by the American Urological Association symptom index and quality of life scores, and the degree of sleep disturbance were determined by the Jenkins sleep scale. Analysis was done, adjusting for baseline characteristics, to identify predictors of severe sleep disturbance. RESULTS: A total of 366 men with a mean ± SD age of 60.9 ± 8.3 years who had moderate-severe lower urinary tract symptoms (mean American Urological Association symptom index score 14.58 ± 4.6 points) and a mean Jenkins sleep score of 7.3 ± 4.7 points were included in analysis. Overall there were significant associations between the American Urological Association symptom index score and sleep disturbance severity. Multivariate analysis revealed that obstructive and irritative symptoms were significantly associated with severe sleep disturbance. Further analysis showed that lower serum prostate specific antigen and post-void residual urine volume were also significantly associated with the degree of sleep disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Lower urinary tract symptom severity is a risk factor for severe sleep disturbance in men. While nocturia was significantly associated with sleep disturbance, other lower urinary tract symptoms were also independent predictors of sleep dysfunction.

[Clinical studies on fifty-seven Chinese patients with combined methylmalonic aciduria and homocysteinemia].

OBJECTIVE: Methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is a common one of the congenital disorders of organic acids metabolism. Some of the patients with the disorder are complicated with homocysteinemia. Recently, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) has been used to diagnose MMA in China. However, the diagnosis of the patients with combined MMA and homocysteinemia is often delayed. In this study, the natural history, clinical features and outcome of 57 Chinese patients with combined MMA and homocysteinemia were investigated. METHODS: From 1996 to 2006, 96 MMA patients from 16 provinces or cities were diagnosed in our hospital by urine organic acids analysis using GCMS. Homocysteinemia was found by serum and urine total homocysteine determination using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. RESULTS: Fifty-seven of the 96 MMA patients (59.4%, 32 males and 25 females) were found to have combined MMA and homocysteinemia. They had markedly increased urine methylmalonic acid, total serum homocysteine (81.5 to 226.5 micromol/L vs. normal range 4.5 to 12.4 micromol/L) and urine homocysteine (79.1 to 414.5 micromol/L vs. normal range 1.0 to 25.0 micromol/L). Thirteen (22.8%) of them presented with symptoms resembled hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in the neonatal period. Fourteen (24.6%) patients had the onset at the age of one month to 1 year with mental retardation, vomiting and epilepsy. Nine (15.8%) showed developmental delay, seizures, poor appetite or anemia from the age of 1 to 3 years. Eighteen (31.6%) had psycho-motor degeneration at the age of 6 to 15 years. Among them, 7 patients experienced multiple organ dysfunctions with liver dysfunction, hematuria, renal failure and peripheral neuropathy. Three (5.3%) patients developed progressive mental degeneration, motor disorders and anorexia at the ages of 16, 24 and 34 years. Eleven (19.3%) patients ultimately died; 5 (8.8%) of them were diagnosed postmortem. Forty-six (80.7%) patients were treated with vitamin B12, folic acid, L-carnitine and betaine supplementation and 11 (19.3%) of them recovered completely. CONCLUSIONS: Combined MMA with homocysteinemia is a common form of MMA in China. The clinical spectrum of the patients varies from severe neonatal-onset forms with high mortality to milder forms with adult-onset. Serum or urine total homocysteine analysis is important for the deferential diagnosis of the patients with MMA.

Lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction; links for diagnosis, management and treatment.

Recent large-scale epidemiological studies have documented a strong association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED). This observation has two important scientific and clinical aspects: (i) to reveal the pathomechanism linking LUTS and ED and (ii) to consider this fact in the individual approach for diagnosis and management of these two disorders. The following hypotheses are under investigation to explain the relation between LUTS and ED: (i) an increased Rho-kinase activation, (ii) an alpha-adrenergic receptor imbalance, (iii) a decrease of NOS/NO in the endothelium, (iv) atherosclerosis affecting the small pelvis and (v) an autonomic hyperactivity, each affecting simultaneously bladder, prostate and penis. According to a recent randomized trial, sildenafil has a positive effect on LUTS yet not on uroflowmetry in men with LUTS and ED. Although further trials are mandatory, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors might play a role in the management of LUTS in the future. alpha-Blockers have no relevant effect on erectile function, tamsulosin leads to retrograde ejaculation in up to 10%. 5alpha-Reductase inhibitors are associated with ED, loss of libido and reduction of ejaculate volume in up to 10%. Transurethral and open prostatectomy induce retrograde ejaculation in up to 90% of patients while their impact on erectile function is still controversially discussed. Minimal invasive treatment options (laser prostatectomy, transurethral microwave thermotherapy) have a lower rate of retrograde ejaculation in the range of 20-70%. LUTS and ED are strongly linked although the exact mechanism is poorly understood. Men seeking for help for LUTS/benign prostatic hyperplasia should be assessed for different aspects of sexual dysfunction and informed regarding the impact of medication and surgery on sexual health.

[Urology and Psychosomatics. A historical summary]. / Urologie und Psychosomatik. Ein geschichtlicher Abriss.

The investigation and description of psychosomatic interrelationships has a long tradition in the field of urology. At the beginning of last century, psychosomatic theories and therapies involving urologic questions were developed, some of which are still part of current therapeutic strategies. Numerous studies accentuated the need for a psychosomatic diagnostics and therapy of urologic diseases. The appreciation of psychosomatic urology is growing, a fact which is reflected in current urological teaching curricula.

[Effect of drug therapy on lower urinary tract symptoms indicating the presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia in transurethral resection of the prostate]. / Vplyv medikamentóznej liecby príznakov dolných mocových ciest naznacujúcich prítomnost' benígnej prostatickej hyperplázie na transuretrálnu resekciu prostaty.

OBJECTIVE: Medical therapy of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has fundamentally changed. The aim of the study is to verify the suggestion that the medical therapy delayed the need of operative treatment and led to changes in characteristics of patients in need of surgery, or whether it had possibly caused deterioration of the results of surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 137 patients treated by TURP in 1991 (before medical therapy was introduced in Slovakia) was compared with a group of 122 patients treated by TURP in 2001 when medical therapy was offered as the primary initial therapy. We evaluated the patient's age, co-morbidity, type and length of medical therapy of LUTS, indications for operation, the weight of the resected tissue, the length of urinary bladder drainage after the operation and the period of hospitalisation. RESULTS: Patients in 2001 were on average 3.1 years older (p = 0.007), co-morbidity was present in 68.6% patients in 1991 compared to 85.2% in 2001 (not significant), and TURP for objective indications was done in 58.4% of patients in 1991 and in 50% in 2001. In 2001 71 out of 122 (58.2%) patients received medical therapy and 30 of them (24.6%) were operated on for objective indications. The weight of the resected tissue was 20.2 +/- 13.2 grams in 1991 and 24.6 +/- 15.4 grams in 2001 (p = 0.027). In 1991 the catheter was removed 4.5 +/- 1.8 days after the operation compared to 3.1 +/- 2.2 days in 2001 (p = 0.0001). The duration hospitalisation in 1991 was 7.7 +/- 5.7 days compared to 5.2 +/- 3.2 in 2001 (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving medical therapy have surgery at a higher age. The higher age of patients was not related to co-morbidity or the increased number of operations for objective indications, nor did the complications during surgery increase. On average more of the prostatic tissue was removed and the period of hospitalisation was shorter.

Drug interactions in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

In recent years, the antiparkinsonian drug regime has become increasingly complicated. A wide range of antiparkinson agents is meanwhile available. Combination therapies may unfortunately induce interactions up to the point of life-threatening events. The potential of drug-drug interactions must be taken into account before starting a patient on combination treatment. Moreover, the frequent multimorbidity of patients with Parkinson's disease necessitates the application of additional drugs. A general overview is difficult to maintain because of the countless number of possible interactions. Cautious proceeding is certainly indicated in particular cases. The most common interactions will be discussed below. We should bear in mind that many of the interactions related to drug combinations are unknown yet.

La individualización del cuidado en diálisis peritoneal domiciliaria / Personalized care in patients under peritoneal home dyalisis

No disponible

The effects of treating lower urinary tract symptoms on sexual function.

We prospectively evaluated the effect of the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on sexual function. The patients were assessed by using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) inventory at baseline and three months after medical (alpha-blockers) or surgical treatment (transurethral resection of the prostate, TURP). Following treatment, there were improvement in erectile function and intercourse satisfaction while orgasmic, overall satisfaction and sexual drive were relatively unchanged in the medication group. Patients who had surgical treatment suffered retrograde ejaculation, dissatisfaction in sexual intercourse and overall sexual satisfaction compared to patients who were on alpha-blockers.

Hallazgos en tomografía computarizada de la gangrena de Fournier / Computed Tomography findings in Fournier's gangrene

Objetivo: Describir la utilidad de la tomografía computarizada (TC) como método de imagen para identificar la gangrena de Fournier (GF) así como para estudiar la extensión de la misma.Material y métodos: Presentamos seis pacientes con el diagnóstico clínico de gangrena de Fournier. Se realizó TC con contraste oral e intravenoso (i.v.) en todos los pacientes.Resultados: En los seis casos existía masa de partes blandas y gas en la región escrotal y en cinco en la zona perineal. En dos pacientes existía gas que se extendía hacia la pared abdominal anterior y en uno de ellos aparecía en el espacio pararrenal anterior y posterior. Los factores predisponentes más importantes fueron la diabetes y el alcoholismo y el factor desencadenante más frecuente fue la patología urológica.Conclusión: La TC confirma la existencia de enfermedad, valora la extensión de la misma y en algunos casos permite identificar la causa del proceso (AU)

Long-term efficacy of nonsurgical urinary incontinence treatment in elderly women.

BACKGROUND: Although urinary incontinence affects up to 35% of community-dwelling elderly women, the long-term efficacy of conservative treatment in this population is unknown. METHODS: Between April 1991 and January 1994, 81 community-dwelling women over age 60 underwent nonsurgical incontinence treatment that included pelvic muscle exercises, bladder retraining, estrogen replacement, biofeedback, functional electrical stimulation, and pharmacologic therapy. Information about intercurrent medical problems, urogynecologic diagnoses, treatment recommendations, and provider-documented outcome were collected from medical records. We mailed structured questionnaires evaluating persistent incontinence, treatment efficacy, interval therapy, and quality of life to women who had last attended clinic at least one year previously. RESULTS: Fifty-three of 81 (65%) women, mean age (+/- SD) 76 +/- 8 years, returned the questionnaire. The mean follow-up interval was 21 +/- 8 months. At follow-up, 43% of women reported incontinence was not a problem or mild, 33% reported moderate incontinence, and 21% reported severe incontinence. When patients compared their initial with current incontinence severity, improvement was significant (p < .01). Genuine stress incontinence was diagnosed in 18 women, detrusor overactivity in 14, and mixed incontinence in 13. Improvement did not vary consistently by incontinence diagnosis. Older patients had more severe incontinence at presentation (r = .94, p = .02) and reported less improvement (r = .97, p < .01) than younger ones. However, the overall likelihood of improvement was greatest among patients with the most severe incontinence at presentation (r = .534, p < .001). Subjects considered pelvic muscle exercises, delayed voiding, and caffeine restriction most effective in reducing incontinence severity. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly women derive long-term clinical benefit from nonsurgical incontinence therapy. Younger patients and those with more severe incontinence are most likely to respond to treatment.