Percutaneous Ablation vs Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy for Completely Endophytic Renal Masses: A Multicenter Trifecta Analysis with a Minimum 3-Year Follow-Up.

Purpose: To compare outcomes of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and percutaneous tumor ablation (PTA) for completely endophytic renal masses. Methods: Data of patients who underwent RAPN or PTA for treatment of completely endophytic (three points for "E" domain of R.E.N.A.L. score) were collected from seven high-volume U.S. and European centers. PTA included cryoablation, radiofrequency, or microwave ablation. Baseline characteristics, clinical, surgical, and postoperative outcomes were compared. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was calculated with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Trifecta was used as arbitrary combined outcome parameter as proxy for treatment "quality." Multivariable logistic regression model assessed predictors of trifecta failure. Results: One hundred fifty-two patients (RAPN, n = 60; PTA, n = 92) were included in the analysis. RAPN group was younger (p < 0.001), had lower American Society of Anesthesiologists score (p = 0.002), and higher baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (p < 0.001). There was no difference in clinical tumor size, clinical T stage, and tumor complexity scores. PTA had significantly lower rate of overall (p < 0.001) and minor (p < 0.001) complications. ΔeGFR at 1 year was statistically higher for RAPN (-15.5 mL/min vs -3.1 mL/min; p = 0.005), no difference in ΔeGFR at last follow-up (p = 0.22) was observed. No difference in recurrences (RAPN, n = 2; PTA, n = 6) and RFS was found (p = 0.154). Trifecta achievement was higher for RAPN but not statistically different (65.3% vs 58.8%; p = 0.477). R.E.N.A.L. Nephrometry Score resulted predictive of trifecta failure (odds ratio = 1.47; confidence interval = 1.13-1.90; p = 0.004). Conclusions: PTA confirms to be an effective treatment for completely endophytic renal masses, offering low complications and good mid-term functional and oncologic outcomes. These outcomes compare favorably with those of RAPN, which seem to be the preferred option for younger and less comorbid patients.

Reporting quality of abstracts presented at the European Association of Urology meeting: a critical assessment.

PURPOSE: We assessed the reporting quality of randomized and nonrandomized, controlled trials presented in abstract form at the European Association of Urology annual meeting in a 10-year period and determined the impact on subsequent publication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Abstracts presented at the European Association of Urology annual meetings in 1998, 1999, 2008 and 2009 were retrieved and included in analysis. Two 2-year meeting periods were considered, including 1) 1998 and 1999, and 2) 2008 and 2009. Two standardized forms were constructed based on the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) and STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology) guidelines, each including 15 and 16 items for randomized and nonrandomized, controlled trials, respectively. Reporting quality was assessed by measuring the proportion of items respected by authors when preparing the abstract, defined as the score ratio. Subsequent full-length publication within 2 years after the meeting was also determined by a PubMed® search. Differences between the 2 periods were analyzed by the chi-square and simple t tests. Predictors of subsequent full-length publication were evaluated by multiple logistic regression using meeting period, topic, country of origin, design, multi-institutional study and the proportion of reported items (score ratio). RESULTS: A total of 3,139 abstracts were included in analysis, of which 375 (11.9%) were randomized, controlled trials. Overall oncology represented the main topic (49.2% of all abstracts). The score ratio (proportion of adequately reported items in each abstract) was better for period 1 than 2 for randomized, controlled trials (63% vs 57%) but better for period 2 than 1 for nonrandomized, controlled trials (55.4% vs 53.2%, each p <0.001). Abstracts describing multi-institutional studies were more likely to be followed by full-length publication (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.44-2.30). Other features, including reporting quality (score ratio), did not predict subsequent publication. CONCLUSIONS: The reporting quality of European Association of Urology meeting abstracts did not improve in a decade. Nevertheless, this factor did not impact subsequent full-length publication. Ultimately, the reporting quality of abstracts remains to be improved by following currently available guidelines.

The influence of baseline parameters on changes in international prostate symptom score with dutasteride, tamsulosin, and combination therapy among men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia and an enlarged prostate: 2-year data from the CombAT study.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of baseline factors that influence outcomes for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) receiving medical therapy may help to improve outcomes and cost effectiveness. OBJECTIVES: To examine the influence of baseline parameters on changes in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximum urinary flow rate (Q(max)) in men with BPH receiving dutasteride, tamsulosin, or a combination of the two using 2-yr Combination of Avodart and Tamsulosin (CombAT) study data. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: CombAT is an ongoing, 4-yr, multicentre, randomised, double-blind study in 4844 men aged >or=50 yr with clinical diagnosis of BPH, IPSS >or=12, prostate volume >or=30 cm(3), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) 1.5-10 ng/ml, and Q(max) >5 and or=125 ml. INTERVENTION: Daily tamsulosin 0.4 mg, dutasteride 0.5 mg, or the combination. MEASUREMENTS: Post hoc analyses of mean IPSS and Q(max) changes from baseline by treatment group and by baseline prostate volume, PSA, age, body mass index (BMI), IPSS, IPSS quality of life (QoL) score, BPH Impact Index score, Q(max), and previous BPH medical therapy. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Combination therapy was more effective than either monotherapy after 24 mo in improving IPSS in all baseline subgroups, with benefit onset varying by baseline prostate volume. Combination therapy was also more effective in improving Q(max) versus tamsulosin in all subgroups and versus dutasteride in 10 of 18 subgroups. At 24 mo, dutasteride monotherapy resulted in significantly greater IPSS improvements versus tamsulosin in men with lower age, worse symptoms, worse QoL, less bother, higher BMI, greater Q(max), higher prostate volume, and higher PSA at baseline. Post hoc analyses, the lack of placebo control, and the exclusion of men with unsuccessful medical BPH treatment are study limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with tamsulosin and dutasteride affords the greatest and the most rapid symptomatic benefit among men with higher baseline prostate volume and is effective regardless of previous BPH medical therapy. Dutasteride monotherapy is more effective than tamsulosin in men with higher baseline prostate volume or PSA and worse symptoms.

Inverse relationship between scores on the quality of life questionnaire SF-12 and on the Aging Males' Symptoms scale in Italian men.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the relation between results of the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire for aging males, and of quality of life (QOL) questionnaire SF-12 and cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: 1,927 men aged 55-85 years were interviewed by 56 general practitioners. During the interview the men were asked to fill in the AMS scale and the QOL questionnaire SF-12. RESULTS: Of 1,927 men 1,806 men filled correctly the AMS questionnaire. The mean SF-12 mental index was respectively 55.9 in men with a total AMS score indicating no impairment, 50.9 mild, 42.8 moderate, and 32.8 severe impairment. The corresponding values for the physical index were 51.2, 46.7, 40.8 and 32.3. A history of diabetes was associated with an increased risk of reporting moderate/severe impairment: in relation to the total AMS score the odds ratio, (OR), of moderate/severe impairment in comparison with no impairment was 1.6 (95%CI 1.2-2.1). A history of myocardial infarction and hypertension increased the risk (respectively OR 1.4 (95%CI 1.1-18) and 1.7 (95%CI 1.2-2.4)). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that higher AMS scores are associated with lower SF-12 indices and suggests that elevated values of the AMS score are associated with cardiovascular risk factors or diseases.