Standardized cotton swab sampling with nested quantitative polymerase chain reaction is effective for diagnosing ordinary scabies.

BACKGROUND: Low sensitivity of the PCR assay for diagnosing scabies has been noted because of the difficulty in obtaining tissue containing Sarcoptes scabiei DNA. AIM: To evaluate nested real-time quantitative PCR (nRT-qPCR) with nonexpert-dependent standardized cotton swab sampling (CSW) as a tool for diagnosing scabies. METHODS: All patients underwent dermoscopic and microscopic examination (MS) with scraped sampling (Sc). Patient samples were acquired with a single, dry swab rubbed across the flexor areas of both wrists as well as the eight interdigital spaces and on any suspected scabies lesions. nRT-qPCRs were performed with Sc and CSW samples. RESULTS: Out of 125 patients with suspected scabies, 120 patients were sampled, and 57 were positive (positive with: MS n = 53; nRT-qPCR with Sc n = 52; nRT-qPCR with CSW n = 46) and 63 were negative for scabies. The sensitivities of these tests were 93.0%, 91.2% and 80.7%, respectively, which were not different statistically (P > 0.05). However, upon subsequent monitoring after treatment, the sensitivity of nRT-qPCR with CSW was only 36.6%, which was significantly lower than 83.0% for MS and 92.7% for nRT-qPCR with Sc (P < 0.001). The obtained sequences showed 97%-100% homology with scabies sequences deposited in GenBank. CONCLUSION: CSW with nRT-qPCR shows sensitivity close to MS with scraping performed by experts for diagnosing scabies in an outpatient setting, but not for post-treatment monitoring. CSW with nRT-qPCR may be useful for physicians unfamiliar with a traditional diagnostic method, and for screening an outbreak in community facilities.

Association of baseline histopathology and kidney donor risk index with graft outcomes in deceased donor kidney transplantation
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BACKGROUND: Donor organ quality is a key determinant of graft outcomes in deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT). The predictive values of baseline histopathology and several clinical scoring systems for long-term graft outcomes have been evaluated, but the results remain controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We screened 167 patients who underwent DDKT at Ulsan University Hospital from April 2003 to June 2016. Among them, 66 patients who underwent baseline kidney biopsy and whose kidney donor risk index (KDRI) was available were included in this analysis. All baseline biopsies were rescored according to the updated Banff classification. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 22 months. Mean age of recipients and donors was 51.4 and 44.7 years, respectively. Mean KDRI was 1.40 ± 0.44. During follow-up, delayed graft function and biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR) developed in 7 and 11 patients, respectively. Graft failure occurred in 2 patients. In Cox regression analysis, interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IFTA) (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.59; p = 0.049) was a significant risk factor for BPAR. In multivariate linear regression, age (standardized ß (SB) = -0.282; p = 0.002), BPAR (SB = -0.406; p < 0.001), KDRI (SB = -0.277; p = 0.003), and IFTA (SB = -0.298; p = 0.001) were significant predictors of last-visit estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). CONCLUSION: Several clinical and pathologic parameters, such as KDRI and IFTA, may be helpful for predicting long-term graft outcomes, including BPAR and last-visit eGFR, in DDKT.
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National practice patterns and direct medical costs for prostate cancer in Korea across a 10 year period: a nationwide population-based study using a national health insurance database.

BACKGROUND: A complete enumeration study was conducted to evaluate trends in national practice patterns and direct medical costs for prostate cancer (PCa) in Korea over a 10-year retrospective period using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service. METHODS: Reimbursement records for 874,924 patients diagnosed between 2002 and 2014 with primary PCa according to the International Classification of Disease (ICD) 10th revision code C61 were accessed. To assess direct medical costs for patients newly diagnosed after 2005, data from 68,596 patients managed between January 2005 and 31 December 2014 were evaluated. RESULTS: From 2005 to 2014, the total number of PCa patients showed a 2.6-fold increase. Surgery and androgen deprivation therapy were the most common first-line treatment, alone or within the context of combined therapy. Surgery as a monotherapy was performed in 23.5% of patients in 2005, and in 39.4% of patients in 2014. From 2008, the rate of robot-assisted RP rose sharply, showing a similar rate to open RP in 2014. Average total treatment costs in the 12 months post-diagnosis were around 10 million Korean won. Average annual treatment costs thereafter were around 5 million Korean won. Out-of-pocket expenditure was highest in the first year post-diagnosis, and ranged from 12 to 17% thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Between 2005 and 2014, a substantial change was observed in the national practice pattern for PCa in Korea. The present data provide a reliable overview of treatment patterns and medical costs for PCa in Korea.

Diagnostic Performance of %[-2]proPSA and Prostate Health Index for Prostate Cancer: Prospective, Multi-institutional Study.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical performance of [-2]proPSA (p2PSA) and its derivatives in predicting the presence and aggressiveness of prostate cancer (PCa) in Korean men. METHODS: A total of 246 men with total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) ≥ 3.5 ng/mL who underwent their first prostate biopsy were included in this prospective, multicenter, observational study. Diagnostic accuracy of tPSA, free-to-total PSA ratio (%fPSA), p2PSA, %p2PSA, and the Beckman Coulter prostate health index (PHI) was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analyses and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Overall, PCa was detected in 125 (50.8%) subjects. In men with tPSA 3.5-10 ng/mL, the detection rate of PCa was 39.4% (61/155). In this group, PHI and %p2PSA were the most accurate predictors of PCa and significantly outperformed tPSA and %fPSA; area under the curve for tPSA, %fPSA, %p2PSA, and PHI was 0.56, 0.69, 0.74, and 0.76, respectively. PHI was also the strongest predictor of PCa with Gleason score ≥ 7. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the superior clinical performance of %p2PSA and PHI in predicting the presence and aggressiveness of PCa in Korean men. The %p2PSA and PHI appear to improve detection of PCa and provide prognostic information.

The Effect of Mycophenolate Mofetil versus Cyclosporine as Combination Therapy with Low Dose Corticosteroids in High-risk Patients with Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy: a Multicenter Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate immunosuppressive therapy for patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN) remains controversial. The effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) versus cyclosporine (CsA) combined with low-dose corticosteroids was evaluated in patients with idiopathic MN in a multi-center randomized trial (www.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01282073). METHODS: A total of 39 biopsy-proven idiopathic MN patients with severe proteinuria were randomly assigned to receive MMF combined with low-dose corticosteroids (MMF group) versus CsA combined with low-dose corticosteroids (CsA group), respectively, and followed up for 48 weeks. Complete or partial remission rate of proteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 48 weeks were compared. RESULTS: The level of proteinuria at baseline and at 48 weeks was 8.9 ± 5.9 and 2.1 ± 3.1 g/day, respectively, in the MMF group compared to 8.4 ± 3.5 and 3.2 ± 5.7 g/day, respectively, in the CsA group. In total, 76.1% of the MMF group and 66.7% of the CsA group achieved remission at 48 weeks (95% confidence interval, -0.18 to 0.38). There was no difference in eGFR between the two groups. Anti-phospholipase A2 receptor Ab levels at baseline decreased at 48 weeks in the complete or partial remission group (P = 0.001), but were unchanged in the no-response group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in changes in the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index scores from baseline to 48 weeks. CONCLUSION: In combination with low-dose corticosteroids, the effect of MMF may not be inferior to that of CsA in patients with idiopathic MN, with similar adverse effects including gastrointestinal symptoms. Trial registry at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01282073).

Association between the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia and social disparities: Does social capital promote prostate health?

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationships between socioeconomic factors and social capital and benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms. The participants were 100,000 adult men who participated in the Korea Community Health Survey. The surveyors used the International Prostate Symptom Score. As regards occupation, the prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia was higher in men with blue-collar occupations or those who were unemployed than in those with white-collar jobs. In terms of marital status, the prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia was 1.319 times higher among divorced men than married men. As regards social capital, the prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with positive attitudes towards one's community scores that reflected good, poor and very poor community scores was 1.228, 1.246 and 1.447 times higher than that of men who had very good scores respectively. The groups with good, poor, and very poor community participation scores had 1.115, 1.202 and 1.364 times higher prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia than the group with very good scores. Social disparities and social capital of a community were associated with the prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Thus, the use of social capital in the community setting will be effective in the management of the condition.

Extracellular volume expansion and the preservation of residual renal function in Korean peritoneal dialysis patients: a long-term follow up study.

INTRODUCTION: In chronic peritoneal dialysis patients, preservation of residual renal function (RRF) is a major determinant of patient survival, and maintaining sufficient intravascular volume has been hypothesized to be beneficial for the preservation of RRF. The present study aimed to test this hypothesis using multifrequency bioimpedence analyzer (MFBIA), in Korean peritoneal dialysis patients. METHODS: A total of 129 patients were enrolled in this study. The baseline MFBIA was checked, and the patients were divided into the following two groups: group 1, extracellular water per total body water (ECW/TBW) < median, group 2, ECW/TBW > median. We followed up the patients, and then we analyzed the changes in the urine output (UO) and the solute clearance (weekly uKt/V) in each group. Data associated with patient and technical survivor were collected by medical chart review. The volume measurement was made using Inbody S20 equipment (Biospace, Seoul, Korea). We excluded the anuric patients at baseline. RESULT: The median value of ECW/TBW was 0.396. The mean patient age was 49.74 ± 10.01 years, and 62.1 % of the patients were male; most of the patients were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (89.1 %). The mean dialysis vintage was 26.20 ± 28.71 months. All of the patients were prescribed hypertensive medication, and 48.5 % of the patients had diabetes. After 25.47 ± 6.86 months of follow up, ΔUO and Δweekly Kt/V were not significantly different in the two groups as follows: ΔUO (-236.07 ± 185.15 in group 1 vs -212.21 ± 381.14 in group 2, p = 0.756); Δ weekly Kt/v (-0.23 ± 0.43 in group 1 vs -0.29 ± 0.49 in group 2, p = 0.461). The patient and technical survivor rate was inferior in the group 2, and in the multivariable analysis, initial hypervolemia was an independent factor that predicts both of the patient mortality [HR 1.001 (1.001-1.086), p = 0.047] and the technical failure [HR 1.024 (1.001-1.048), p = 0.042]. CONCLUSIONS: Extracellular volume expansion, measured by MFBIA, does not help preserve residual renal function, and is harmful for the technical and patient survival in Korean peritoneal dialysis patients.

Orai1 Expression Is Closely Related with Favorable Prognostic Factors in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Store-operated calcium (Ca(2+)) entry (SOCE) is the principal Ca(2+) entry route in non-excitable cells, including cancer cells. We previously demonstrated that Orai1 and STIM1, the molecular components of SOCE, are involved in tumorigenesis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). However, a clinical relevance of Orai1 and STIM1 expression in CCRCC has been ill-defined. Here, we investigated the expression of Orai1 and STIM1 in CCRCC, and compared their expression with clinico-pathological parameters of CCRCC and the patients' outcome. Immunohistochemical staining for Orai1 and STIM1 was performed on 126 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue of CCRCC and western blot analysis for Orai1 was performed on the available fresh tissue. The results were compared with generally well-established clinicopathologic prognostic factors in CCRCC and patient survival. Membrane protein Orai1 is expressed in the nuclei in CCRCC, whereas STIM1 shows the cytosolic expression pattern in immunohistochemical staining. Orai1 expression level is inversely correlated with CCRCC tumor grade, whereas STIM1 expression level is not associated with tumor grade. The higher Orai1 expression is significantly associated with lower Fuhrman nuclear grade, pathologic T stage, and TNM stage and with favorable prognosis. The expression level of STIM1 is not correlated with CCRCC grade and clinical outcomes. Orai1 expression in CCRCC is associated with tumor progression and with favorable prognostic factors. These results suggest that Orai1 is an attractive prognostic marker and therapeutic target for CCRCC.

Klotho plays a critical role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression and clinical outcome.

Klotho functions as a tumor suppressor predominantly expressed in renal tubular cells, the origin of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Altered expression and/or activity of growth factor receptor have been implicated in ccRCC development. Although Klotho suppresses a tumor progression through growth factor receptor signaling including insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), the role of Klotho acting on IGF-1R in ccRCC and its clinical relevance remains obscure. Here, we show that Klotho is favorable prognostic factor for ccRCC and exerts tumor suppressive role for ccRCC through inhibiting IGF-1R signaling. Our data shows the following key findings. First, in tumor tissues, the level of Klotho and IGF-1R expression are low or high, respectively, compared to that of adjacent non-neoplastic parenchyma. Second, the Klotho expression is clearly low in higher grade of ccRCC and is closely associated with clinical outcomes in tumor progression. Third, Klotho suppresses IGF-1-stimulated cell proliferation and migration by inhibiting PI3K/Akt pathway. These results provide compelling evidence supporting that Klotho acting on IGF-1R signaling functions as tumor suppressor in ccRCC and suggest that Klotho is a potential carcinostatis substance for ccRCC.

Orai1 and STIM1 are critical for cell migration and proliferation of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

The intracellular Ca(2+) regulation has been implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Notably, store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) is a major Ca(2+) entry mechanism in non-excitable cells, being involved in cell proliferation and migration in several types of cancer. However, the expression and biological role of SOCE have not been investigated in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Here, we demonstrate that Orai1 and STIM1, not Orai3, are crucial components of SOCE in the progression of ccRCC. The expression levels of Orai1 in tumor tissues were significantly higher than those in the adjacent normal parenchymal tissues. In addition, native SOCE was blunted by inhibiting SOCE or by silencing Orai1 and STIM1. Pharmacological blockade or knockdown of Orai1 or STIM1 also significantly inhibited RCC cell migration and proliferative capability. Taken together, Orai1 is highly expressed in ccRCC tissues illuminating that Orai1-mediated SOCE may play an important role in ccRCC development. Indeed, Orai1 and STIM1 constitute a native SOCE pathway in ccRCC by promoting cell proliferation and migration.

Remote ischemic preconditioning in hemodialysis: a pilot study.

Hemodialysis (HD)-induced myocardial ischemia is associated with an elevated cardiac troponin T, and is common in asymptomatic patients undergoing conventional HD. Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has a protective effect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. We hypothesized that RIPC also has a protective effect on HD-induced myocardial injury. Chronic HD patients were randomized to the control group or the RIPC group. RIPC was induced by transient occlusion of blood flow to the arm with a blood-pressure cuff for 5 min, followed by 5 min of deflation. Three cycles of inflation and deflation were undertaken before every HD session for 1 month (total 12 times). The primary outcome was the change in cardiac troponin T (cTnT) level at day 28 from baseline. Demographic and baseline laboratory values were not different between the control (n = 17) and the RIPC groups (n = 17). cTnT levels tended to decrease from day 2 in the RIPC group through to 28 days, in contrast to no change in the control group. There were significant differences in the change of cTnT level at day 28 from baseline [Control, median; -0.002 ng/ml (interquartile range -0.008 to 0.018) versus RIPC, median; -0.015 ng/ml (interquartile range -0.055 to 0.004), P = 0.012]. RIPC reduced cTnT release in chronic conventional HD patients, suggesting that this simple, cheap, safe, and well-tolerated procedure has a protective effect against HD-induced ischemia.

Prognostic value of mucinous histology depends on microsatellite instability status in patients with stage III colon cancer treated with adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The close association between mucinous histology and microsatellite instability (MSI) may have hindered the evaluation of prognostic significance of mucinous histology. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether mucinous histology was associated with a worse prognosis, independent of MSI status, compared to nonmucinous histology in patients with stage III colon cancer. METHODS: This study enrolled 394 consecutive patients with stage III colorectal cancer treated with adjuvant FOLFOX after curative resection (R0). Clinicopathological information was retrospectively reviewed. Tumors were analyzed for MSI by polymerase chain reaction to determine MSI status. Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used. RESULTS: The estimated rate of 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with nonmucinous adenocarcinoma (NMA 79.2 %) was significantly greater than that in patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma (MA) and adenocarcinoma with mucinous component (MC) (56.9 %; log-rank, P = 0.002). In univariate analysis, histology (NMA vs. MA/MC), American Joint Committee on Cancer stage (IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC), and lymphovascular invasion (present vs. absent) were significantly associated with DFS. In multivariate analysis, mucinous histology (MA/MC) was associated with decreased DFS in all patients (hazard ratio 1.82, 95 % confidence interval 1.03-3.23, P = 0.0403). In patients with MA/MC, no difference in DFS was observed between MSI and microsatellite stability (log-rank, P = 0.732). CONCLUSIONS: Mucinous histology is an independent poor prognostic factor for DFS in patients with stage III colon cancer after adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy.

Anti-LAMP-2 antibodies are not prevalent in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody glomerulonephritis.

Lysosomal membrane protein 2 (LAMP-2) is a target of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) in addition to the more commonly known targets proteinase 3 and myeloperoxidase. The prevalence of anti-LAMP-2 antibodies and their relationship to disease in ANCA glomerulonephritis are not well described. We measured anti-LAMP-2 reactivity in 680 sera samples (two academic centers) from patients with ANCA glomerulonephritis (n=329); those with ANCA-negative glomerulonephritis (n=104); those with fimbriated, gram-negative Escherichia coli urinary tract infection (n=104); disease controls (n=19); and healthy volunteers (n=124). With levels in healthy controls used to define a reference range, anti-LAMP-2 reactivity was present in 21% of ANCA sera from two of the centers; reactivity was present in 16% of the control group with urinary tract infection. Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy did not verify positivity. Titers of anti-myeloperoxidase and anti-proteinase 3 antibodies were 1500-fold and 10,000-fold higher than anti-LAMP-2 titers, respectively. There was no correlation between anti-LAMP-2 antibodies and disease activity. Furthermore, Wistar Kyoto rats injected with anti-LAMP-2 antibodies did not develop glomerulonephritis. In conclusion, antibodies that react with LAMP-2 may exist at very low titers in a minority of patients with ANCA disease. These data do not support a mechanistic relationship between anti-LAMP-2 antibodies and ANCA glomerulonephritis.

Effects of neutral pH and low-glucose degradation product-containing peritoneal dialysis fluid on systemic markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction: a randomized controlled 1-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: The local peritoneal effects of low-glucose degradation product (GDP)-containing peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF) have been extensively described. However, the systemic effects of prolonged prescription of these solutions are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of neutral pH and low-GDP PDF on systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction markers in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: This is a multicenter, open labeled, randomized controlled trial including one hundred fifty-two patients initiating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal disease from seven centers in Korea. Participants were randomly allocated to conventional PDF (Stay safe®; Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany) or low-GDP PDF (Balance®; Fresenius Medical Care) and were followed for 1 year. Primary outcome variable was the inflammation and endothelial dysfunction index (IEDI), a composite score derived from serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1, soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule (sVCAM)-1 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, residual renal function (RRF), peritoneal membrane transport characteristics, ultrafiltration volume and nutritional parameters were measured as secondary outcome variables. RESULTS: Of 152 patients randomized, 146 (low-GDP: conventional PDF, 79:67) patients entered the trial (46% male, 53% with diabetes mellitus). At 12-month follow-up, the low-GDP group had significantly lower levels of IEDI, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 compared to the conventional group; hs-CRP was not different between groups. Peritoneal transport characteristics, RRF, nutritional parameters, incidence of peritonitis and death-censored technique survival were not different between groups. CONCLUSION: Neutral pH and low-GDP PDF likely produce fewer changes in markers of endothelial dysfunction compared to conventional PDF in incident PD patients.

Tumor enucleation for the treatment of T1 renal tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of tumor enucleation (TE) compared with partial nephrectomy (PN) for T1 renal cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: According to protocol, we searched multiple data sources for published and unpublished randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies (NRSs) in any language. We performed systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and rated the certainty of the evidence (CoE) using the GRADE framework. RESULTS: We are uncertain about the effects of TE on perioperative (mean difference [MD] 3.38, 95% CI 1.52 to 5.23; I²=68%; 4 NRSs; 942 participants; very low CoE) and long-term (MD 2.31, 95% CI -1.40 to 6.01; I²=57%; 4 NRSs; 542 participants; very low CoE) residual renal function. TE may result in little to no difference in short-term residual renal function (MD 1.04, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.83; I²=0%; 2 NRSs; 256 participants; low CoE). We are uncertain about the effects of TE on cancer-specific mortality (risk ratio [RR] 0.90, 95% CI: 0.11 to 7.28; I²=0%; 2 NRSs; 551 participants; very low CoE) and major adverse events (RR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.79; I²=0%; 10 NRS; 2,360 participants; very low CoE). CONCLUSIONS: While TE appears to have similar effects on short term postoperative residual renal function, there were uncertainties on mortality and major adverse events. However, we need rigorous RCTs to elucidate the effects of TE as the evidence stems mostly from NRSs.

Effect of the symptom-based alpha-blocker treatment on lower urinary tract symptoms in women: systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of alpha blockers in women with lower urinary tract symptoms. METHODS: We conducted systematic review and meta-analysis on published a priori protocols. We searched multiple data sources for published and unpublished randomized controlled trials in any language. Primary outcomes included urologic symptom scores, quality of life, and overall adverse events. We performed meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3 and rated the certainty of evidence using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. RESULTS: Alpha blockers likely reduced urological symptom score (mean difference: -1.50, 95% confidence interval: -2.91 to -0.09; moderate certainty of evidence). Alpha blockers may improve quality of life (standardized mean difference: -0.35, 95% confidence interval: -0.85 to 0.15; low certainty of evidence) and have little to no difference in overall adverse events (risk ratio: 1.09, 95% confidence interval: 0.55 to 2.15; low certainty of evidence). Based on five studies comparing combination therapy with alpha blockers and anticholinergics to anticholinergic monotherapy, combination therapy likely results in little to no difference in urological symptom score (mean difference: -0.35, 95% confidence interval: -1.98 to 1.27; moderate certainty of evidence) and quality of life (mean difference: -0.11, 95% confidence interval: -0.48 to 0.27; moderate certainty of evidence). We are very uncertain about the effect of combination therapy on overall adverse events (risk ratio: 1.07, 95% confidence interval: 0.40 to 2.84; very low certainty of evidence). CONCLUSION: Alpha blocker monotherapy for the women with lower urinary tract symptoms regardless of the underlying cause likely has satisfactory efficacy compared with placebo. However, combination therapy with anticholinergics likely has no additional effect on urologic symptom score and quality of life compared with anticholinergic monotherapy.

Efficacy of 0.4 mg tamsulosin monotherapy in patients with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms.

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy of 0.4 mg tamsulosin monotherapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia with moderate-to-severe International Prostate Symptom Score. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From May 2015 to May 2017, 102 patients were analyzed, retrospectively. The patients were classified into three groups according to the combination of medication (tamsulosin 0.4 mg vs tamsulosin 0.4 mg + solifenacin 5 mg vs tamsulosin 0.4 mg + mirabegron 50 mg). Baseline characteristics (e.g. age, body weight, height, and underlying medical disease) were collected. International Prostate Symptom Score, prostate specific antigen, prostate volume, peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), voided volume, and post-voided volume before after treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: We classified and analyzed the patients into three groups depending on the medication. And there were no significant differences between all parameters among the groups. Voided volume at 3 months after treatment in each group was 170.54 ± 125.83, 121.55 ± 46.19, and 274.63 ± 132.30 (p = 0.019). Differences of voiding symptom score and difference of post-voided volume among the groups before after treatment was 5.00 ± 5.42, 1.92 ± 3.92, and 0.11 ± 5.11 and 8.37 ± 34.32, 0.78 ± 14.86, -33.63 ± 28.58 (p = 0.037, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: We think tamsulosin monotherapy will be feasible as a first-line therapy for the patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who has struggled with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms.

Trends in End-of-Life Resource Utilization and Costs among Prostate Cancer Patients from 2006 to 2015: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate end-of-life resource utilization and costs for prostate cancer patients during the last year of life in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study used the National Health Information Database (NHIS-2017-4-031) of the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Healthcare claim data for the years 2002 through 2015 were collected from the Korean National Health Insurance System. Among 83,173 prostate cancer patients, we enrolled 18,419 after excluding 1,082 who never claimed for the last year of life. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2015, there was a 3.2-fold increase the total number of prostate cancer decedents. The average cost of care during the last year of life increased over the 10-year period, from 14,420,000 Korean won to 20,300,000 Korean won, regardless of survival time. The cost of major treatments and medications, other than analgesics, was relatively high. Radiologic tests, opioids, pain control, and rehabilitation costs were relatively low. Multiple regression analysis identified age and living in rural area as negatively associated with prostate cancer care costs, whereas income level and a higher number of comorbidities were positively associated. CONCLUSIONS: Expenditure of prostate cancer care during the last year of life varied according to patient characteristics. Average costs increased every year. However, the results suggest underutilization of support services, likely due to lack of alternative accommodation for terminal prostate cancer patients. Further examination of patterns of utilization of healthcare resources will allow policymakers to take a better approach to reducing the burden of prostate cancer care.

Add-on treatment with mirabegron may improve quality of life in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia complaining of persistent storage symptoms after tamsulosin monotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life (QoL) after combination therapy of solifenacin and mirabegron in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia presenting with persistent storage symptoms after treatment with tamsulosin. MATERIAL & METHODS: We evaluated the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), prostate-specific antigen, prostate volume, peak flow rate (Qmax), and post-voided residual volume (PVR) before and after treatment. Patients showing baseline OABSS ⩾3 were included and treated with tamsulosin 0.2 mg as an initial drug for 1 month. After 1 month, add-on treatment with solifenacin 5 mg or mirabegron 50 mg was provided to patients who did not show improvement in OABSS with tamsulosin 0.2 mg. After 2 months, we evaluated changes in OABSS, IPSS, Qmax, and PVR. RESULTS: After combination therapy for 2 months, there were no significant differences between patients receiving add-on treatment with solifenacin and those receiving mirabegron. However, the IPSS QoL score improved in patients treated with mirabegron and tamsulosin more than in those treated with solifenacin and tamsulosin (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A combination of tamsulosin and mirabegron might improve the QoL of patients presenting with persistent storage symptoms after tamsulosin monotherapy. Better QoL due to mirabegron compared with solifenacin could be associated with fewer adverse effects, such as dry mouth and constipation.