The diversity of population responses to environmental change.

The current extinction and climate change crises pressure us to predict population dynamics with ever-greater accuracy. Although predictions rest on the well-advanced theory of age-structured populations, two key issues remain poorly explored. Specifically, how the age-dependency in demographic rates and the year-to-year interactions between survival and fecundity affect stochastic population growth rates. We use inference, simulations and mathematical derivations to explore how environmental perturbations determine population growth rates for populations with different age-specific demographic rates and when ages are reduced to stages. We find that stage- vs. age-based models can produce markedly divergent stochastic population growth rates. The differences are most pronounced when there are survival-fecundity-trade-offs, which reduce the variance in the population growth rate. Finally, the expected value and variance of the stochastic growth rates of populations with different age-specific demographic rates can diverge to the extent that, while some populations may thrive, others will inevitably go extinct.

Same-day discharge among patients undergoing elective PCI: Insights from the VA CART Program.

BACKGROUND: Available data suggest that same-day discharge (SDD) after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is safe in select patients. Yet, little is known about contemporary adoption rates, safety, and costs in a universal health care system like the Veterans Affairs Health System. METHODS: Using data from the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking Program linked with Health Economics Resource Center data, patients undergoing elective PCI for stable angina between October 1, 2007 and Sepetember 30, 2016, were stratified by SDD versus overnight stay. We examined trends of SDD, and using 2:1 propensity matching, we assessed 30-day rates of readmission, mortality, and total costs at 30 days. RESULTS: Of 21,261 PCIs from 67 sites, 728 were SDDs (3.9% of overall cohort). The rate of SDD increased from 1.6% in 2008 to 9.7% in 2016 (P < .001). SDD patients had lower rates of atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, and prior coronary artery bypass grafting and were treated at higher-volume centers. Thirty-day readmission and mortality did not differ significantly between the groups (readmission: 6.7% SDD vs 5.6% for overnight stay, P = .24; mortality: 0% vs. 0.07%, P = .99). The mean (SD) 30-day cost accrued by patients undergoing SDD was $23,656 ($15,480) versus $25,878 ($17,480) for an overnight stay. The accumulated median cost savings for SDD was $1503 (95% CI $738-$2,250). CONCLUSIONS: Veterans Affairs Health System has increasingly adopted SDD for elective PCI procedures, and this is associated with cost savings without an increase in readmission or mortality. Greater adoption has the potential to reduce costs without increasing adverse outcomes.

Incidence, procedural management, and clinical outcomes of coronary in-stent restenosis: Insights from the National VA CART Program.

BACKROUND: In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a common clinical problem associated with significant morbidity. We sought to evaluate the temporal trends in incidence and procedural management of coronary restenosis as well as evaluate the association between different treatment modalities and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We identified all patients treated for coronary ISR within the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System from October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2014. The temporal trends in incidence as well as intraprocedural management were assessed. Among patients treated for single vessel restenosis, a propensity matched cohort was created for those treated with drug-eluting stents (DES) or other treatment modalities. Target vessel revascularization (TVR) and mortality were compared between the two subpopulations. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2014, 65,443 patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and 6,872 patients (10.5%) with 8,921 lesions were treated for ISR. The proportion of patients undergoing revascularization for restenosis increased 0.28% per year (P = 0.055). Among a propensity-matched cohort of 6,231, the rates of TVR (subdistribution HR: 0.623, 95% CI: 0.511-0.760) and mortality (HR: 0.730, 95% CI: 0.641-0.830) were significantly lower among patients treated with a DES compared with other treatments. After adjustment for known risk factors, treatment with DES continued to be associated with a reduction in mortality rate (Adjusted HR: 0.802, 95% CI: 0.704-0.913). CONCLUSIONS: There is a trend toward an increasing proportion of coronary interventions for ISR in a national cohort of Veterans and treatment with a DES is associated with the lowest rate of TVR and overall mortality.

The behavioral energetics of New Zealand's bats: Daily torpor and hibernation, a continuum.

We examine the impact of behavior on the short-term energy expenditures of the only terrestrial mammals endemic to New Zealand, two bats, the long-tailed (Chalinolobus tuberculatus, family Vespertilionidae), and the lesser short-tailed (Mystacina tuberculata, family Mystacinidae). Vespertilionidae has a world-wide distribution. Mystacinidae is restricted to New Zealand, although related to five neotropical families and one in Madagascar reflecting a shared Gondwanan origin of their Noctilionoidea superfamily. Both species have highly variable body temperatures and rates of metabolism. They feed on flying insects, which requires them to be torpid in shelters during cold, wet periods. In dry weather Mystacina is active in winter at ambient temperatures as low as -1.0 °C, foraging for terrestrial invertebrates in leaf litter, even in the presence of snow, and consuming fruit, nectar, and pollen from endemic plants that bloom in winter. The behavior of Mystacina expands its presence in a cool, wet, temperate forest in a manner unlike any other bat, another example of the distinctive characteristics of the endemic New Zealand fauna. The use of torpor generally depends on a series of factors, including body mass, ambient temperature, latitude, reproductive cycle, sociality, and fat deposits. These factors result in a diversity of responses that range along a continuum from short-term torpor to hibernation.

Adherence and outcomes to direct oral anticoagulants among patients with atrial fibrillation: findings from the veterans health administration.

BACKGROUND: The direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) reduce the risk of stroke in moderate to high-risk patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Yet, concerns remain regarding its routine use in real world practice. We sought to describe adherence patterns and the association between adherence and outcomes to the DOACs among outpatients with AF. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients in the VA Healthcare System who initiated pharmacotherapy with dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban between November 2010 and January 2015 for non-valvular AF with CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2. Adherence was determined using pharmacy refill data and estimated by the proportion of days covered (PDC) over the first year of therapy. Clinical outcomes, including all-cause mortality and stroke, were measured at 6 months and used to assess measures of adherence for each DOAC. RESULTS: A total of 2882 patients were included. Most were prescribed dabigatran (72.7%), compared with rivaroxaban (19.8%) or apixaban (7.5%). The mean PDC was 0.84 ± 0.20 for dabigatran, 0.86 ± 0.18 for rivaroxaban, and 0.89 ± 0.14 for apixaban (p < 0.01). The proportion of non-adherent patients, PDC <0.80, was 27.6% for all and varied according DOAC. Lower adherence to dabigatran was associated with higher risk of mortality and stroke (HR 1.07; 1.03-1.12 per 0.10 decline in PDC). CONCLUSIONS: In a real-world VA population being prescribed anticoagulation for AF, more than one quarter had sub-optimal adherence. Lower adherence was associated with a higher risk of mortality and stroke. Efforts identifying non-adherent patients, and targeted adherence interventions are needed to improve outcomes.

Facility-Level Variation in Hospitalization, Mortality, and Costs in the 30 Days After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights on Short-Term Healthcare Value From the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking System (VA CART) Program.

BACKGROUND: Policies to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are intended to improve healthcare value by reducing costs while maintaining patient outcomes. Whether facility-level hospitalization rates after PCI are associated with cost of care is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 32,080 patients who received PCI at any 1 of 62 Veterans Affairs hospitals from 2008 to 2011. We identified facility outliers for 30-day risk-standardized hospitalization, mortality, and cost. Compared with the risk-standardized average, 2 hospitals (3.2%) had a lower-than-expected hospitalization rate, and 2 hospitals (3.2%) had a higher-than-expected hospitalization rate. We observed no statistically significant variation in facility-level risk-standardized mortality. The facility-level unadjusted median per patient 30-day total cost was $23,820 (interquartile range, $19,604-$29,958). Compared with the risk-standardized average, 17 hospitals (27.4%) had lower-than-expected costs, and 14 hospitals (22.6%) had higher-than-expected costs. At the facility level, the index PCI accounted for 83.1% of the total cost (range, 60.3%-92.2%), whereas hospitalization after PCI accounted for only 5.8% (range, 2.0%-12.7%) of the 30-day total cost. Facilities with higher hospitalization rates were not more expensive (Spearman ρ=0.16; 95% confidence interval, -0.09 to 0.39; P=0.21). CONCLUSIONS: In this national study, hospitalizations in the 30 day after PCI accounted for only 5.8% of 30-day cost, and facility-level cost was not correlated with hospitalization rates. This challenges the focus on reducing hospitalizations after PCI as an effective means of improving healthcare value. Opportunities remain to improve PCI value by reducing the variation in total cost of PCI without compromising patient outcomes.

Patient access and 1-year outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention facilities with and without on-site cardiothoracic surgery: insights from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking (CART) program.

BACKGROUND: The safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at medical facilities without on-site cardiothoracic (CT) surgery has been established in clinical trials. However, the comparative effectiveness of this strategy in real-world practice, including impact on patient access and outcomes, is uncertain. The Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system has used this strategy, with strict quality oversight, since 2005, and can provide insight into this question. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 24,387 patients receiving PCI at VA facilities between October 2007 and September 2010, 6616 (27.1%) patients underwent PCI at facilities (n=18) without on-site CT surgery. Patient drive time (as a proxy for access), procedural complications, 1-year mortality, myocardial infarction, and rates of subsequent revascularization procedures were compared by facility. Results were stratified by procedural indication (ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction versus non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction/unstable angina versus elective) and PCI volume. With the inclusion of PCI facilities without on-site CT surgery, median drive time for patients treated at those facilities decreased by 90.8 minutes (P<0.001). Procedural need for emergent coronary artery bypass graft and mortality rates were low and similar between facilities. Adjusted 1-year mortality and myocardial infarction rates were similar between facilities (hazard ratio in PCI facilities without relative to those with on-site CT surgery, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.2), and not modified by either PCI indication or PCI volume. Subsequent revascularization rates were higher at sites without on-site CT surgery facilities (hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.42). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that providing PCI facilities without on-site CT surgery in an integrated health care system with quality oversight improves patient access without compromising procedural or 1-year outcomes.

Clopidogrel prescription filling delays and cardiovascular outcomes in a pharmacy system integrating inpatient and outpatient care: insights from the Veterans Affairs CART Program.

BACKGROUND: Delays in filling clopidogrel prescriptions after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been demonstrated previously and associated with adverse outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 11,418 patients undergoing PCI with stent placement in Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals between January 1, 2005, and September 30, 2010. Data were obtained from the national VA Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking Program, including post-PCI clopidogrel prescription fill date and outcomes of myocardial infarction and death within 90 days of discharge. Patients who did not fill a clopidogrel prescription on the day of discharge were considered to have a delay. Multivariable models assessed the association between clopidogrel delay and myocardial infarction/death using clopidogrel delay as a time-varying covariate. RESULTS: Of the patients, 7.2% had a delay in filling their clopidogrel prescription. Delay in filling clopidogrel was associated with increased risk of major adverse events (hazard ratio 2.34, 95% CI 1.66-3.29, P < .001). The percentage of patients who delayed filling varied by hospital, ranging from 0 to 43.5% with a median of 6.2% (P < .001, χ(2) for difference across hospitals) and a median odds ratio of 2.13 (95% CI 1.85-2.68) suggesting large site variation in clopidogrel delay across hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: In a health care system with integrated inpatient and outpatient pharmacy services, 1 in 14 patients delays filling a clopidogrel prescription. The large site variation suggests a need to identify best practices that allow hospitals to optimize prescription filling at discharge to potentially improve patient outcomes.

Targeted focal therapy for the management of organ confined prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Patients currently diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer are often overtreated and experience complications, resulting in detriment to quality of life. Targeted focal therapy is a minimally invasive procedure designed to ablate tumor foci while minimizing collateral damage to maintain quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This institutional review board approved, prospective study was done to assess the safety and efficacy of targeted focal therapy using cryotherapy in men 40 to 85 years old diagnosed with low risk, organ confined prostate cancer at our institution between 2006 and 2009. Low risk, organ confined prostate cancer was defined as Gleason score 7 or less (3 + 4) on transrectal ultrasound biopsy, tumor burden 50% or less and prostate specific antigen less than 10 ng/dl. Patients were evaluated for eligibility after undergoing 3-dimensional mapping biopsy. Median followup was 28 months (IQR 26-31). RESULTS: A total of 62 men with low risk disease met study inclusion criteria. At 1 year biopsy was negative in 50 of 62 patients (81%). All 12 men who tested positive on repeat biopsy had a Gleason score of 3 + 3 = 6 with 1 or 2 positive cores. The median prostate specific antigen change was a 3.0 ng/dl decrease (p <0.01). The median American Urological Association symptom score change was a 1.5-point decrease (p <0.01). No significant change was observed in Sexual Health Inventory for Men score (p = 0.6). No urinary incontinence episodes and no severe side effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted focal therapy in carefully selected patients provides a feasible, practical option for treating low risk prostate cancer with minimal impact on quality of life.

Virome analysis of New Zealand's bats reveals cross-species viral transmission among the Coronaviridae.

The lesser short-tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata) and the long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) are Aotearoa New Zealand's only native extant terrestrial mammals and are believed to have migrated from Australia. Long-tailed bats arrived in New Zealand an estimated two million years ago and are closely related to other Australian bat species. Lesser short-tailed bats, in contrast, are the only extant species within the Mystacinidae and are estimated to have been living in isolation in New Zealand for the past 16-18 million years. Throughout this period of isolation, lesser short-tailed bats have become one of the most terrestrial bats in the world. Through a metatranscriptomic analysis of guano samples from eight locations across New Zealand, we aimed to characterise the viromes of New Zealand's bats and determine whether viruses have jumped between these species over the past two million years. High viral richness was observed among long-tailed bats with viruses spanning seven different viral families. In contrast, no bat-specific viruses were identified in lesser short-tailed bats. Both bat species harboured an abundance of likely dietary- and environment-associated viruses. We also identified alphacoronaviruses in long-tailed bat guano that had previously been identified in lesser short-tailed bats, suggesting that these viruses had jumped the species barrier after long-tailed bats migrated to New Zealand. Of note, an alphacoronavirus species discovered here possessed a complete genome of only 22,416 nucleotides with entire deletions or truncations of several non-structural proteins, thereby representing what may be the shortest genome within the Coronaviridae identified to date. Overall, this study has revealed a diverse range of novel viruses harboured by New Zealand's only native terrestrial mammals, in turn expanding our understanding of bat viral dynamics and evolution globally.

Association of testosterone therapy with mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke in men with low testosterone levels.

IMPORTANCE: Rates of testosterone therapy are increasing and the effects of testosterone therapy on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality are unknown. A recent randomized clinical trial of testosterone therapy in men with a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases was stopped prematurely due to adverse cardiovascular events raising concerns about testosterone therapy safety. OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between testosterone therapy and all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke among male veterans and to determine whether this association is modified by underlying coronary artery disease. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: A retrospective national cohort study of men with low testosterone levels (<300 ng/dL) who underwent coronary angiography in the Veterans Affairs (VA) system between 2005 and 2011. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, MI, and ischemic stroke. RESULTS: Of the 8709 men with a total testosterone level lower than 300 ng/dL, 1223 patients started testosterone therapy after a median of 531 days following coronary angiography. Of the 1710 outcome events, 748 men died, 443 had MIs, and 519 had strokes. Of 7486 patients not receiving testosterone therapy, 681 died, 420 had MIs, and 486 had strokes. Among 1223 patients receiving testosterone therapy, 67 died, 23 had MIs, and 33 had strokes. At 3 years after coronary angiography, the Kaplan-Meier estimated cumulative percentages with events were 19.9%in the no testosterone therapy group vs 25.7%in the testosterone therapy group,with an absolute risk difference of 5.8%(95%CI, -1.4%to 13.1%) [corrected].The Kaplan-Meier estimated cumulative percentages with events among the no testosterone therapy group vs testosterone therapy group at 1 year after coronary angiography were 10.1% vs 11.3%; at 2 years, 15.4% vs 18.5%; and at 3 years, 19.9% vs 25.7 [corrected].There was no significant difference in the effect size of testosterone therapy among those with and without coronary artery disease (test for interaction, P = .41). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among a cohort of men in the VA health care system who underwent coronary angiography and had a low serum testosterone level, the use of testosterone therapy was associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes. These findings may inform the discussion about the potential risks of testosterone therapy.

Assessment of Medication Adherence Using Pharmacy Data Before and After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Objective: Adherence to anti-platelet medications is critical following coronary stenting, but prior studies indicate that clinician assessment and patient self-assessment of adherence are poorly correlated with future medication-taking behavior. We therefore sought to determine if integrated pharmacy data can be used to identify patients at high risk of non-adherence after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Methods: Using Veteran Affairs (VA) Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking (CART) data linked with pharmacy records, we assessed adherence to cardiovascular medications from 2012 to 2018. Adherence was defined as the proportion of days covered (PDC) ≥ 0.80. We assessed the association of pre-PCI adherence with post-PCI adherence to P2Y12 inhibitors and clinical outcomes using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models, respectively. Results: Among 56,357 patients, 66.0% filled at least 1 cardiovascular medication within VA for the year prior to PCI and were evaluable for adherence. Pre-PCI non-adherence was 20.7%, and non-adherent patients were more likely to be younger and present non-electively. Non-adherent patients were less likely to adhere to P2Y12 inhibitor therapy after PCI (Adjusted OR 0.45 C.I. 0.41-0.46), compared with adherent patients, and had a higher adjusted risk of mortality (HR 1.17 C.I. 1.03-1.33). Conclusion: Adherence to cardiovascular medications prior to PCI can be assessed for most patients using pharmacy data, and past adherence is associated with future adherence and mortality after PCI. Use of integrated pharmacy data to identify high-risk patients could improve outcomes and cost-effectiveness of adherence interventions.

Impact of Operator Volumes and Experience on Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting and Tracking (CART) Program.

BACKGROUND: Recent analyses of the volume-outcome relationship for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have suggested a less robust association than previously reported. It is unknown if novel factors such as lifetime operator experience influence this relationship. OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between annual volumes and outcomes for PCI and determine whether lifetime operator experience modulates the association. METHODS: Annual PCI volumes for facilities and operators within the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System and their relationship with 30-day mortality following PCI were described. The influence of operator lifetime experience on the volume-outcome relationship was assessed. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to adjust for patient and procedural factors. RESULTS: 57,608 PCIs performed from 2013 to 2018 by 382 operators and 63 institutions were analyzed. Operator annualized PCI volume averaged 47.6 (standard deviation [SD] 49.1) and site annualized volume averaged 189.2 (SD 105.2). Median operator experience was 9.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 4.0-15.0). There was no independent relationship between operator annual volume, institutional volume, or operator lifetime experience with 30-day mortality (p > 0.10). However, the interaction between operator volume and lifetime experience was associated with a marginal decrease in mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.9998, 95% CI 0.9996-0.9999). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant associations between facility or operator-level procedural volume and 30-day mortality following PCI in a nationally integrated healthcare system. There was a marginal association between the interaction of operator lifetime experience, operator annual volume, and 30-day mortality that is unlikely to be clinically relevant, though does suggest an opportunity to explore novel factors that may influence the volume-outcome relationship.

Multifaceted Intervention to Improve P2Y12 Inhibitor Adherence After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Stepped Wedge Trial.

Background P2Y12 inhibitor medications are critical following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, adherence remains suboptimal. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to improve P2Y12 inhibitor adherence following PCI. Methods and Results This was a modified stepped wedge trial of 52 eligible hospitals, of which 15 were randomly selected and agreed to participate (29 hospitals declined, and 8 eligible hospitals were not contacted). At each intervention hospital, patient recruitment occurred for 6 months and enrolled patients were followed up for 1 year after PCI. Three control groups were used: patients at intervention hospitals undergoing PCI (1) before the intervention period (preintervention); (2) after the intervention period (postintervention); or (3) at the 8 hospitals not contacted (concurrent controls). The intervention consisted of 4 components: (1) P2Y12 inhibitor delivered to patients' bedside after PCI; (2) education on importance of P2Y12 inhibitors; (3) automated reminder telephone calls to refill medication; and (4) outreach to patients if they delayed refilling P2Y12 inhibitor. The primary outcomes were as follows: (1) proportion of patients with delays filling P2Y12 inhibitor at hospital discharge and (2) proportion of patients who were adherent in the year after PCI using pharmacy refill data. Primary analysis compared intervention with preintervention control patients. There were 1377 (intent-to-treat) potentially eligible patients, of whom 803 (per protocol) were approached at intervention sites versus 5910 preintervention, 2807 postintervention, and 4736 concurrent control patients. In the intent-to-treat analysis, intervention patients were less likely to delay filling P2Y12 at hospital discharge (-3.4%; 98.3% CI, -1.2% to -5.6%) and more likely to be adherent to P2Y12 (4.1%; 98.3% CI, 1.0%-7.1%) at 1 year, but had more clinical events (3.2%; 98.3% CI, 2.3%-4.1%) driven by repeated PCI compared with preintervention patients. In post hoc analysis looking at myocardial infarction, stroke, and death, intervention patients had lower event rates compared with preintervention patients (-1.7%; 98.3% CI, -2.3% to -1.1%). Conclusions A 4-component intervention targeting P2Y12 inhibitor adherence was difficult to implement. The intervention produced mixed results. It improved P2Y12 adherence, but there was also an increase in repeat PCI. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01609842.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections after bladder surgery: is mechanical bowel preparation necessary?

PURPOSE: We investigated whether children with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt who undergo mechanical bowel preparation before bladder reconstruction with bowel have a lower rate of infection than children who do not undergo preoperative bowel preparation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an institutional review board approved, retrospective chart review of the incidence of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections after bladder reconstruction using bowel and compared infection rates using Fisher's exact test. Mean ± SD followup was 2.9 ± 2.3 years. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2009, 31 patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt underwent bladder reconstruction using bowel, of whom 19 (61%) and 12 (39%) did and did not undergo mechanical bowel preparation, respectively. There was no significant difference in gender or age at surgery between the 2 groups. Infection developed in 3 children (9.6%) within 2 months postoperatively, including 2 (10.5%) with and 1 (8.3%) without bowel preparation (2-tailed p = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the shunt infection rate between patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt who did and did not undergo preoperative bowel preparation. Our results add to the current literature suggesting that bowel preparation is unnecessary even in patients with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

The role of 3-dimensional mapping biopsy in decision making for treatment of apparent early stage prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: We determined the impact of a grid based, transperineal 3-dimensional mapping biopsy on decision making for primary management of early stage prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively performed 3-dimensional mapping biopsy on 180 consecutive men who presented to our clinic between 2006 and 2009 with early stage, organ confined prostate cancer based on transrectal ultrasound guided 10 to 12-core biopsy, and on 35 with prior negative transrectal ultrasound biopsies. RESULTS: At presentation median patient age was 60.5 years (range 43 to 77), median prostate specific antigen was 4.8 ng/ml (range 0.5 to 72.4) and median prostate volume was 35 cc (range 9 to 95). The median number of cores acquired by transrectal ultrasound and 3-dimensional mapping biopsy was 12 and 56, and the median number of positive cores was 1 and 2, respectively. We documented Gleason score upgrade in 49 of 180 cases (27.2%) and up-stage in 82 (45.6%). The incidence of urinary retention catheter requirement of greater than 48 hours was 3.2% and the incidence of transient orthostatic hypotension was 5%. No urinary tract infections were documented. A total of 38 men received radical extirpative therapy, 11 radiation and 45 cryotherapy while 60 enrolled in a targeted focal therapy study, 44 entered active surveillance and 5 underwent other focal investigational treatments. Post-mapping data on 12 men were not available for analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional mapping biopsy revealed that a significant portion of men initially diagnosed with apparently low risk disease harbored clinically significant cancers requiring more aggressive therapy. The technique also enabled a number of men with low risk disease to elect surveillance or another less morbid option.

Methods of developing UWIN, the modified American Urological Association symptom score.

PURPOSE: The American Urological Association symptom score instrument is widely used to assess lower urinary tract symptom severity in men. We describe the methods used to develop a shorter form of the American Urological Association symptom score that may provide symptom score assessment with minimal compromise in accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Complete American Urological Association symptom score data were collected on 8,731 men who attended Prostate Cancer Awareness Week in 2003 or 2004. Correlation analysis and area under the ROCs were used to determine the best reduced index and cutoff points in scores for the severity categories of mild, moderate and severe. RESULTS: The number of responses in the original 7 American Urological Association symptom score items was lowered from 6 to 4 and for the bothersome index it was lowered from 7 to 3. Four of the original 7 items were retained. Cronbach's α was 0.851 for the symptom score items in our data. The combination of items with the best joint correlation to the American Urological Association symptom score and bothersome score was UWIN (urgency, weak stream, incomplete emptying and nocturia). The correlation of UWIN with the American Urological Association symptom score was 0.938. The correlation of UWIN bother to the American Urological Association bothersome score was 0.638. The ROC for the mild, moderate and severe UWIN categories compared to the categorized American Urological Association symptom score was 0.96, 0.97 and 0.99, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The UWIN instrument may potentially be a valuable tool to assess American Urological Association symptom score severity and bother. Clinical validation of this instrument is indicated in a prospective comparative study.

Validation of the modified American Urological Association symptom score.

PURPOSE: We created a shorter version of the American Urological Association symptom score, called UWIN (urgency, weak stream, incomplete emptying and nocturia). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants in Prostate Cancer Awareness Week from 2006 and 2007 were administered the regular American Urological Association symptom score and UWIN. A total of 278 participants completed each questionnaire. Total scores of each participant for the American Urological Association symptom score (range 0 to 35) and UWIN (range 0 to 12) were evaluated using Spearman's correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots to determine the level of agreement between the 2 questionnaires. RESULTS: The correlation between the total American Urological Association symptom score (range 0 to 35) and the total UWIN score (range 0 to 12) was 0.913 (p<0.0001). The correlation between the quality of life question on the American Urological Association symptom score and UWIN was 0.821 using the Spearman correlation coefficient (p<0.0001). A second analysis performed using Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between the American Urological Association symptom score and UWIN. Overall, respondents tended to have slightly higher UWIN total scores than their American Urological Association symptom scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates that the UWIN questionnaire can be used in place of the American Urological Association symptom score. The UWIN questionnaire will lessen the burden on the respondent, broaden the applicability of the instrument and make collecting data as efficient and effective as possible.