Analysis of Risk Factors for Postoperative Dysuria in Patients Undergoing Thoracotomy under General Anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Thoracotomy under general anaesthesia is one of the most difficult surgeries and is prone to result in postoperative complications. This study explored risk factors for postoperative dysuria in patients undergoing thoracotomy under general anaesthesia to provide a reference for the formulation and selection of subsequent clinical management programs. METHODS: Patients undergoing thoracotomy under general anaesthesia (n = 179) admitted to our hospital from June 2019 to June 2021 were selected. They were divided into dysuria group (n = 79) and normal urination group (n = 100) according to whether they had dysuria after surgery. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore risk factors affecting postoperative dysuria. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that dysuria was related to gender, age, surgical time, intraoperative and postoperative infusion volume, usage time of analgesic pump and retention time of urethral catheter (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that male, age ≥60 years, surgical time ≥120 min, intraoperative infusion volume >1200 mL, postoperative infusion volume >800 mL, analgesic pump usage time ≥18 h and urethral catheter retention time of ≥72 h were risk factors for postoperative dysuria. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of postoperative dysuria in patients undergoing thoracotomy under general anaesthesia is related to gender, age, surgical time, intraoperative infusion volume, postoperative infusion volume, usage time of analgesic pump and retention time of urethral catheter. Clinical attention should be given to this patient group, and targeted intervention measures should be implemented.

Mycoplasma genitalium infection in women reporting dysuria: A pilot study and review of the literature.

Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infection, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), causes cervicitis and may cause reproductive sequelae and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Some MG-infected women report dysuria, a symptom frequently attributed to urinary tract infection (UTI). Given potential MG-associated morbidity and the likelihood that UTI treatment would be ineffective in eradicating MG, an improved understanding of MG infection frequency and clinical significance in young women reporting dysuria is needed. We conducted MG testing on stored urogenital specimens collected in a pilot study on frequency of STIs in young women presenting to an emergency department for dysuria evaluation and performed a literature review on MG infection frequency in women reporting dysuria. Among 25 women presenting for dysuria evaluation in our pilot study, 6 (24.0%) had MG detected and one-third had co-infection with chlamydia and one-third with trichomoniasis; half with MG detected did not receive an antibiotic with known efficacy against MG, while the other half received azithromycin. In five studies identified in the literature review, dysuria was reported by 7%-19% of women and MG detected in 5%-22%. MG infection is common in young women with dysuria and empiric UTI treatment may not be effective against MG. Studies evaluating the clinical significance of MG infection in women reporting dysuria are needed.

Dysuria, heat stress, and muscle injury among Nicaraguan sugarcane workers at risk for Mesoamerican nephropathy.

OBJECTIVES: Nicaraguan sugarcane workers, particularly cane cutters, have an elevated prevalence of chronic kidney disease of unknown origin, also referred to as Mesoamerican nephropathy (MeN). The pathogenesis of MeN may include recurrent heat stress, crystalluria, and muscle injury with subsequent kidney injury. Yet, studies examining the frequency of such events in long-term, longitudinal studies are limited. METHODS: Using employment and medical data for male workers at a Nicaraguan sugarcane company, we classified months of active work as either work as a cane cutter or other sugarcane job and determined occurrence of dysuria, heat events and muscle events. Work months and events occurred January 1997 to June 2010. Associations between cane cutting and each outcome were analyzed using logistic regression based on generalized estimating equations for repeated events, controlling for age. RESULTS: Among 242 workers with 7257 active work months, 19.5% of person-months were as a cane cutter. There were 160, 21, and 16 episodes of dysuria, heat events, and muscle events, respectively. Compared with work months in other jobs, cane cutting was associated with an elevated odds of dysuria [odds ratio 2.40 (95% confidence interval 1.56-3.68)]. The number of heat and muscle events by cane cutter and other job were limited. CONCLUSIONS: Working as a cane cutter compared with other jobs in the sugarcane industry was associated with increased dysuria, supporting the hypothesis that cane cutters are at increased risk of events suspected of inducing or presaging clinically evident kidney injury.

Nationwide Analysis of Urinary Retention Following Inguinal Hernia Repair: Results from the National Prospective Hernia Registry.

BACKGROUND: Urinary retention is one of the most common early postoperative complications following inguinal hernia repair (IHR). The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of postoperative urinary retention (POUR) and to identify associated risk factors. METHOD: Data of consecutive patients undergoing IHR from 2011 to 2017 were collected from a national multicenter cohort. POUR was defined as the inability to void requiring urinary catheterization. A multivariate analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors for POUR. RESULTS: Of 13,736 patients, 109 (0.8%) developed POUR. Patients with POUR had longer hospital length of stay (p < 0.001). IHR was performed by a laparoscopic or an open approach in 7012 (51.3%) and 6655 (48.7%) patients, respectively, and spinal anesthesia was realized in 591 (4.3%) patients. Ambulatory surgery was performed in 10,466 (76.6%) patients. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative dysuria (0R 3.73, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.98, p = 0.029) and spinal anesthesia (OR 7.56, p < 0.001) as independent preoperative risk factors associated with POUR. POUR was the cause of ambulatory failure in 35 (10.2%) patients who required unanticipated admission. CONCLUSION: The incidence of POUR following IHR remains low but impacts hospitalization settings. Preoperative risk factors for POUR should be considered for the choice of the anesthetic technique.

Clinical profile of comorbid dysmenorrhea and bladder sensitivity: a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Antecedents of chronic pelvic pain are not well characterized, but pelvic organ visceral sensitivity is a hallmark of these disorders. Recent studies have identified that some dysmenorrhea sufferers are much more likely to exhibit comorbid bladder hypersensitivity. Presumably, these otherwise healthy women may be at higher risk of developing full-blown chronic bladder pain later in life. To encourage early identification of patients harboring potential future risk of chronic pain, we describe the clinical profile of women matching this putative pain-risk phenotype. OBJECTIVE(S): The objectives of the study were to characterize demographic, menstrual, pelvic examination, and psychosocial profiles of young women with comorbid dysmenorrhea and bladder hypersensitivity, defined using a standardized experimental visceral provocation test, contrasted with healthy controls, pure dysmenorrhea sufferers, and women with existing bladder pain syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort study acquired data on participants with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea (n = 212), healthy controls (n = 44), and bladder pain syndrome (n = 27). A subgroup of dysmenorrhea patients was found on screening with noninvasive oral water challenge to report significantly higher bladder pain during experimentally monitored spontaneous bladder filling (>15 out of 100 on visual analogue scale, based on prior validation studies) and separately defined as a group with dysmenorrhea plus bladder pain. Medical/menstrual history and pain history were evaluated with questionnaires. Psychosocial profile and impact were measured with validated self-reported health status Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System short forms and a Brief Symptom Inventory for somatic sensitivity. Pelvic anatomy and sensory sensitivity were examined via a standardized physical examination and a tampon provocation test. RESULTS: In our largely young, single, nulliparous cohort (24 ± 1 years old), approximately a quarter (46 out of 212) of dysmenorrhea sufferers tested positive for the dysmenorrhea plus bladder pain phenotype. Dysmenorrhea-only sufferers were more likely to be African American (24%) than healthy controls (5%, post hoc χ2, P = .007). Pelvic examination findings did not differ in the nonchronic pain groups, except for tampon test sensitivity, which was worse in dysmenorrhea plus bladder pain and dysmenorrhea sufferers vs healthy controls (2.6 ± 0.3 and 1.7 ± 0.2 vs 0.7 ± 0.2, P < .05). Consistent with heightened pelvic sensitivity, participants with dysmenorrhea plus bladder pain also had more nonmenstrual pain, dysuria, dyschezia, and dyspareunia (P's < .05). Participants with dysmenorrhea plus bladder pain had Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Physical T-scores of 47.7 ± 0.9, lower than in women with dysmenorrhea only (52.3 ± 0.5), and healthy controls 56.1 ± 0.7 (P < .001). Similarly, they had lower Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Mental T-score than healthy controls (47.8 ± 1.1 vs 52.8 ± 1.2, P = .017). Similar specific impairments were observed on Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scales for anxiety, depression, and sleep in participants with dysmenorrhea plus bladder pain vs healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Women with dysmenorrhea who are unaware they also have bladder sensitivity exhibit broad somatic sensitivity and elevated psychological distress, suggesting combined preclinical visceral sensitivity may be a precursor to chronic pelvic pain. Defining such precursor states is essential to conceptualize and test preventative interventions for chronic pelvic pain emergence. Dysmenorrhea plus bladder pain is also associated with higher self-reported pelvic pain unrelated to menses, suggesting central nervous system changes are present in this potential precursor state.

[Management of acquired urethral stricture: our experience in the Division of General Surgery in Sikasso]. / Prise en charge du rétrécissement urétral acquis: expérience du Service de Chirurgie Générale de Sikasso.

Urethral stricture is a disease whose cause and management vary according to the context. This study aims to analyze the epidemiological etiological and therapeutic features of urethral stricture in our department. We conducted a longitudinal cross-sectional study of patients with acquired urethral stricture admitted to our department between March 2014 and February 2016. The average age of our patients was 24.5 years (10 and 81years). The diagnosis was confirmed by retrograde and voiding Urethro-Cystography (UCG). The average stricture length was 2.28cm (0.5-5cm). The therapeutic approaches included: resection with termino-terminal anastomosis; retrograde dilatation etc. Outcome assessment performed 6-15 months after surgery was satisfactory with absence of recidivism, PMR ≤30cc and strong urine flow and weak in the case of recurrence of dysuria or PMR ≥100cc. Urethral stricture accounted for 7.14% of our urologic treatments. Most of our patients were farmers from the rural area. A history of recurrent urethritis was most often reported by our patients and 78,57% of them were married men, among whom 91% were polygamous). The main reason for consultation was dysuria (50% of the study population) and 50.01% of our patients had secondary urinary tract infection, most commonly caused by Escherichia coli. The main cause of urethral stricture was an infection (56.52%). The most affected area was the bulbar urethra (45.60% of cases). UCG was the most used technique (39.13%). Overall outcomes were good (85,65%) and failure rate reached 13.04%; the highest success rate was achieved with resection with anastomosis (94.44% respectively). Urethral stricture is common among young people. Infection is the main cause in our department. Prevention is essential as well as an efficient and effective management of sexually transmitted infections.

The Spectrum of Bladder Health: The Relationship Between Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Interference with Activities.

Background: Little research to date has focused on lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) prevention and bladder health promotion in women. To address this gap, the Prevention of LUTS Research Consortium developed the following working bladder health definition: "A complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being related to bladder function [that] permits daily activities [and] allows optimal well-being." To begin to inform and quantify this definition, we used data from the Boston Area Community Health Survey, drawing upon its rare collection of information on LUTS and LUTS-specific interference with activities. Methods: At baseline, participants reported their frequency of 15 LUTS and interference with 7 activities. Prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated by generalized linear models with robust variance estimation, adjusting for LUTS risk factors and individual LUTS. Results: Of the 3169 eligible participants, 17.5% reported no LUTS or interference, whereas the remaining 82.5% reported some frequency of LUTS/interference: 15.1% rarely; 21.7% a few times; 22.6% fairly often/usually; and 22.9% almost always. LUTS independently associated with interference were urgency incontinence, any incontinence, urgency, nocturia, perceived frequency, and urinating again after <2 hours (PRs = 1.2-1.5, all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that bladder health exists on a continuum, with approximately one in five women considered to have optimal bladder health (no LUTS/interference), the majority to have intermediate health (LUTS/interference rarely to usually), and a further one in five to have worse or poor health (LUTS/interference almost always). These findings underscore the need for LUTS prevention and bladder health promotion.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Focal Therapy Complications in Prostate Cancer: A Standardized Methodology.

Purpose: Today, up to one-third of newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa) cases may be suitable for focal treatment. The lack of data about the toxicity profiles of lesion-targeting therapies, however, has made it difficult to compare treatment modalities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate comprehensively the incidence, severity, and timing of onset of complications for PCa patients undergoing focal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and focal cryosurgical ablation of the prostate (CSAP). Materials and Methods: A total of 336 patients were included who underwent focal HIFU or focal CSAP as a primary treatment for PCa between January 2009 and December 2017. Mean follow-up was 11 months (standard deviation: 3.0). All complications were captured and graded according to severity, and classified by timing of onset. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of the most common side effects. Results: There were 98 complications in 79/210 patients (38%) undergoing focal HIFU and 34 complications in 27/126 patients (21%) undergoing focal CSAP. In terms of severity, 95% of the complications of focal HIFU and 91% of the complications of focal CSAP were minor. Most complications presented in the early postoperative period. On multivariate analysis, subtotal HIFU was associated with acute urinary retention (AUR), while a smaller prostate size and longer catheterization time with dysuria. In CSAP patients, longer catheterization time was associated with AUR and urethral sloughing. The main limitation is the nonrandomized and retrospective nature. Conclusions: Focal HIFU and focal CSAP provide a tolerable toxicity, with primarily minor complications presenting in the early postoperative period.

Pelvic floor myofascial pain in patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate lower urinary tract symptoms typically associated with a urinary tract infection (UTI) with physical examination findings of pelvic floor myofascial pain (PFMP). METHODS: This retrospective review included all new patients presenting to a urogynecology clinic between August 2 and December 19, 2016. Patients completed validated questionnaires, had a catheterized urine specimen, and underwent pelvic examination. Associations between demographics, symptoms, urine culture, and PFMP were analyzed. RESULTS: We included 250 patients with urinary frequency (n=160, 64.0%), urgency (n=155, 62.0%), urgency incontinence (n=140, 56.0%), pelvic pain (n=43, 17.2%), and dysuria (n=25, 10.0%). PFMP was detected in 125 (50.0%) patients and culture-proven UTI in 15 (6.0%) patients. Demographics associated with PFMP were lower prolapse stage (P<0.001), age younger than 50 years (P<0.001), lower parity (P=0.028), and non-white ethnicity (P=0.003). Symptoms associated with PFMP were dysuria (adjusted odds ratio 4.13, 95% confidence interval 1.08-15.78), urgency/frequency (2.72, 1.47-5.04), and patient-reported pelvic pain (2.57, 1.08-6.12). These symptoms were independent predictors in multivariable logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients had symptoms associated with UTI; however, culture-confirmed diagnosis was infrequent and PFMT was diagnosed in half of participants. Clinicians treating women with these symptoms are advised to examine the pelvic floor muscles.

Photoselective vaporization has comparative efficacy and safety among high-risk benign prostate hyperplasia patients on or off systematic anticoagulation: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The necessity to cease anticoagulation before photoselective vaporization (PVP) surgery remains nonconsensual. We aimed at assessing the efficacy and safety of PVP among high-risk benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients on or off anticoagulation. METHODS: We systematically searched Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). 2299 patients from 11 studies were eventually included. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was employed to assess the quality and risk of bias of each study. All statistical analyses were conducted with Review Manager v.5.3 software. RESULTS: Ten parameters (operation time, laser time, blood transfusion, urethral stricture, urinary tract infection, reoperation, dysuria, capsule perforation, catheterization time, and re-catheterization) from patients on or off anticoagulant therapy were collected. The patients without anticoagulants performed better at catheterization time [MD - 0.54, 95% CI (- 0.82, - 0.26), P = 0.96, I2 = 0] with a reduction of 0.54 day than those on anticoagulants. Significant statistical difference was not observed from other parameters. Subgroup analysis, grouped by the power output of PVP systems (80 W, 120 W and 180 W), consistently showed no statistical significant difference except at catheterization time in the 180-W PVP subgroup. CONCLUSION: PVP, a safe and effective option for high-risk BPH patients, work comparably regardless of anticoagulant therapy, despite non-anticoagulant patients have shorter catheterization time. It is implied that the use of anticoagulants might be unnecessary to stop for high-risk BPH patients undergoing PVP for the sake of safety, which certainly requires further investigations to confirm.

The most bothersome symptom of vaginal atrophy: Evidence from the observational AGATA study.

OBJECTIVES: Vaginal atrophy (VA) is a chronic medical condition. It is managed unsatisfactorily, despite its high prevalence and negative impact on female quality of life. In order to meet their needs, it would be useful to know what women perceive to be the most bothersome symptom (MBS) of VA. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, multicenter study of 913 postmenopausal women consulting 22 gynecological outpatient services. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of the MBS perceived by postmenopausal women of different age and vaginal condition. RESULTS: Vaginal dryness was the most prevalent MBS (54.4%), followed by dyspareunia (17.6%), itching (7.8%), dysuria (5.9%) and burning (2.0%). The prevalence of vaginal dryness as the MBS increased with years since menopause, while that of itching, dysuria and burning remained approximately constant over time. The prevalence of dyspareunia as the MBS was 26.2% in the first 6 years after menopause and declined thereafter, to 8.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Among all postmenopausal women vaginal dryness per se, independent of dyspareunia, is the most commonly reported MBS. In each woman, the identification of the MBS may help to define more appropriate VA management.

Urinary Symptoms and Their Associations With Urinary Tract Infections in Urogynecologic Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess urinary symptoms associated with urinary tract infection (UTI) in a urogynecologic population of women. METHODS: In this cohort study, we enrolled 150 urogynecologic patients who completed the validated UTI Symptom Assessment questionnaire and contributed transurethral catheterized urine samples. The primary measure (UTI diagnosis) was defined in three ways. Self-report (a nonculture-based UTI diagnosis) was defined by a yes or no response to the query "Do you think you have a UTI?" Two culture-based UTI diagnoses also were analyzed: standard urine culture (10 colony-forming units [CFU]/mL or greater) and enhanced quantitative urine culture (10 CFU/mL or greater) of any uropathogen. Statistical analyses were performed on patient demographics and urinary symptom prevalence among patient groups. RESULTS: Although the presence of the urinary symptoms of frequency and urgency (respectively) differ somewhat between UTI-positive and UTI-negative women (self-report [P=.005 and P<.001], standard urine culture [P=.038 and P=.044], or enhanced quantitative urine culture [P=.059 and P=.098]), the presence of dysuria (pain or burning) during urination was significantly more prevalent in UTI-positive women for all UTI definitions (self-report P<.001, standard urine culture P<.001, and enhanced quantitative urine culture P=.010). Furthermore, women reporting dysuria had higher severity and bother scores for all other urinary symptoms assessed by the UTI Symptom Assessment questionnaire compared with women not reporting dysuria (frequency P=.001, urgency P=.006, dysuria P<.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that, in women seeking urogynecologic care, the presence of frequency and urgency of urination does not confirm a culture-based UTI diagnosis. Instead, clinicians can more readily detect UTI using the presence of dysuria, which more effectively discriminates UTI-positive and UTI-negative individuals, regardless of the culture-based method used to diagnose UTI.

[Epidemiological, clinical aspects and management of urethral stenosis in adult patients in a District Hospital in Ngaoundéré, Cameroon]. / Aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et prise en charge de sténose urétrale chez l'adulte dans un Hôpital de District de Ngaoundéré, Cameroun.

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to determine the epidemiological, clinical aspects and the management of these patients in Ngaoundere Protestant Hospital (HPN). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of complete medical records of patients hospitalized for urethral stenosis in the Department of Urology at the Protestant Hospital of Ngaoundéré over a one-year period (January 2013 to January 2014). RESULTS: Out of 69 registered medical records, a total of 57 patients files (all male) were identified for review. The average age was 52.6 (19 -85 years). The most represented age group was 41-60 years. Urethral stenosis accounted for 0.6% of consultations, 11.36 % of surgical hospitalizations and 6.96% of surgical procedures. Dysuria (70, 17%) was the main reason for consultation. Etiologies included infections (52,63%), traumas (26.32%) and iatrogenic problems (21.05%). All patients underwent CBEU which allowed to isolate gonococci (14,03%) and Escherichia coli (21.05%), the remainder of the urine culture was sterile (64.91%). 28 patients (49.12%) underwent retrograde uretrocystography (RUC), of whom 26 with anterior stenosis (92,85%). Internal endoscopic urethrotomy (IEU) was the most common surgical procedure (58%). Stenosis mainly occurred at the level of the bulbar and peno-bulbar regions. The rate of healing was 87,73% vs 12.27% of recurrences. CONCLUSION: Urethral stenosis is frequent in the Protestant Hospital of Ngaoundéré; patients requiring medical consultations are often in complex medical conditions. Internal endoscopic urethrotomy has shown plausible results.

Missing documentation in breast cancer survivors: genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer survivors often take hormonal treatments to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer, particularly aromatase inhibitors that can worsen the symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) such as dyspareunia, dysuria, and urinary incontinence, all of which may adversely affect survivors' quality of life. Few breast cancer survivors experiencing GSM receive adequate assessment or treatment. METHODS: In this descriptive study, we reviewed medical records for documented GSM and any treatments administered or referrals for treatment in 800 female patients who visited the Breast Cancer Survivorship Clinic at a comprehensive cancer center between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011, either at least 5 years after completion of treatment for invasive breast cancer or at least 6 months after completion of treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ. RESULTS: Of the 279 patients with documented symptoms of vaginal atrophy, only 111 (39.8%) had documentation of having received any form of treatment or referral. Of the 71 patients with documented symptoms of urinary tract atrophy, only 33.8% had documentation of having received treatment or referral for treatment. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer survivors often experience GSM due to lack of estrogen. The worrisome lack of documentation of assessment or treatment for GSM in a large breast cancer survivorship practice reveals missed opportunities to improve quality of life. Dissemination of recent progress in the development of GSM assessment tools, patient handouts, and new treatments to providers who care for breast cancer survivors is needed to improve this process.

Urologic Diseases in Korean Military Population: a 6-year Epidemiological Review of Medical Records.

We sought to describe the incidence rate of the urologic disease in the Korean military by reviewing diagnoses made in active duty soldiers from 2008 to 2013. A total of 72,248 first visits were generated in the Defense Medical Statistics Information System (DMSIS) with its gradually increasing trend over 6 years. A sharp increase of first visit was observed after implementation of the regular health check-up for all conscripted soldiers since 2013. Urolithiasis, prostatitis, epididymoorchitis, urethritis, and varicocele were prevalent. Prostatitis was the highest diagnosis made in the outpatient service, while varicocele was ranked the highest in the inpatient service. The incidence rates of urologic disease varied from 12.3 to 34.2 cases per 1,000 person-years. The urologic disease in conscripted men showed different distribution when we separated the population into conscripted and professional soldiers. Epididymoorchitis was the highest disease followed by urolithiasis, dysuresia, and balanoposthitis in 2013. This study underscores that the urologic disease has spent significant amount of health care resources in the Korean military. This calls for further study to find any significant difference and contributing factors of the urologic disease in the military and the civilian population.

Are seasonal and income variations accountable for bowel and bladder dysfunction symptoms in children?

AIMS: Certain illnesses tend to occur more commonly at certain times of the year. It is also known that individuals of different socioeconomic groups have a predilection for physical ailments that in some cases may be related to poor access to healthcare or may be related to environmental or work related causes. We hypothesized that there may be a difference between patients from season to season and from different socioeconomic groups and their presenting lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). METHODS: We reviewed our electronic medical record going back for 5 years, selecting out all patients who presented to all 10 of our offices in a wide geographic area that covers 22 million people of all races and income levels in the Tristate area of New York. RESULTS: We identified 13,346 patients, 6,010 males and 6,957 females, and 379 were excluded for not meeting age inclusion criteria. The descriptive statistics based on age, median income for both males and females can be found in Tables I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Of note, males were older than females at presentation (8.1 vs. 6.9 years) with no difference in median incomes between families. There were more UTIs in females and more dysuria complaints in males. Urinary incontinence also appeared to be more prevalent in females than males, while males had more issues with fecal soiling than the females. What was obvious was that urgency and frequency was positively correlated with high income groups. On the other hand urinary incontinence represented either by itself or combined with UUI was more prevalent in the high school group. Fecal soiling was also more prevalent in the high school group. UTIs were more prevalent in the high school group but surprisingly there was no difference in patients that were not able to empty their bladders. Conversely we found that constipation was more prevalent in the professional group than in the other groups which is the opposite of the FS findings. Lastly dysuria appeared to be more prevalent in the P group. CONCLUSIONS: It is clear that there are marked differences in the results between high school income and professional income groups in particular with the U and F, along with C which correlate with high income professionals' children. UUI, UI, UTI, along with FS are associated with high school income parents. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:148-154, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Does pelvic floor muscle contraction early after delivery cause perineal pain in postpartum women?

OBJECTIVE: Pelvic floor muscle training is effective and necessary in the prevention and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction during pregnancy and after childbirth. But because of the high prevalence of perineal pain observed in women after childbirth, many women and caregivers fear to start pelvic floor muscle training immediately after childbirth. However, it is unknown whether pelvic floor muscle contractions (PFMC) provoke perineal pain in women shortly after childbirth. Therefore, the main objective is to study whether PFMC performed immediately after childbirth is painful or not. STUDY DESIGN: Observational longitudinal study. Perineal pain was assessed (1-6 days and 9 weeks postpartum) using a visual analogue scale (VAS 0-10) during PFMC and during several activities of daily living (ADL), during micturition and defecation. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon and McNemar tests were used. RESULTS: A total of 233 women participated (148 primiparous and 85 multiparous). Immediately postpartum the prevalence and intensity of pain during ADL (73%; VAS 4.9 (±2.3)), micturition (47%; VAS 3.4 (±1.7)) and defecation (19%; VAS 3.6 (±2.2)) were significantly higher (all p<0.000) than during PFMC (8%; VAS 2.2 (±0.9)). At 9 weeks postpartum, 30% experienced perineal pain during sexual intercourse (VAS 4.6 +/- 2.3) and 18% during defecation (VAS 4.7 +/- 2.3), but none during PFMC. CONCLUSION: Perineal pain is highly prevalent immediately after childbirth during ADL, micturition and defecation, but not during PFMC (only 8%). In case perineal pain occurs during PFMC, the intensity of pain is low (VAS 2). These results show that fear of perineal pain should not discourage women to start pelvic floor muscle training shortly after childbirth.

Differences in outcome for cervical cancer patients treated with or without brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcome of cervical cancer patients treated with primary radiotherapy with and without the addition of brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In all, 220 patients with cervical cancer stage I-IV treated between 1993 and 2009 were included. Three or five 6.0 Gy fractions of brachytherapy were given in addition to the external beam radiotherapy to 134 patients, whereas 86 patients received external beam radiotherapy alone (EBRTA). In the EBRTA group, the patients received external boost instead of brachytherapy with a total dose to the tumor of 64-72 Gy. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival rates of the complete series were 42.5% and 55.5%, respectively. The rates of primary complete remission, 5-year cancer-specific survival, and recurrence were 92.5%, 68.5%, and 31.3% for the brachytherapy group vs. 73.3%, 35.4%, and 37.2% for the EBRTA group. The survival (all types) of the patients receiving brachytherapy was significantly (p < 0.0001) better than for the patients treated with external boost, but the difference was most pronounced in FIGO stage II tumors. Higher FIGO stage, nonsquamous cell carcinoma histology, treatment with EBRTA, and lower total equal 2-Gy (EQD2) external dose were significantly associated with poorer survival, lower rate of remission, and higher recurrence rate in multivariate models. CONCLUSIONS: Primary tumor remission rate, recurrence rate, and all types of survival rates were improved in the brachytherapy group. Brachytherapy is important to achieve sufficient doses to the periphery and central part of the tumor and should always be considered in treatment of cervical carcinomas.

Toxic environmental exposures and kidney health in children.

High-level exposures to a number of agents are known to have direct nephrotoxic effects in children. A growing body of literature supports the hypothesis that chronic, relatively low-level exposure to various nephrotoxicants may also increase the risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD) or accelerate its progression. In this review we highlight several environmental nephrotoxicants and their association with CKD in children and adolescents. We also discuss unique epidemiological challenges in the use of kidney biomarkers in environmental nephrotoxicology.

Prevalence of Pain Symptoms Suggestive of Endometriosis Among Finnish Adolescent Girls (TEENMAPS Study).

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of pain symptoms suggestive of endometriosis among adolescent girls aged 15-19 years. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescent girls aged 15-19 years attending elementary school, high school, or vocational institute at 3 cities in Southwest Finland in 2010-2011. INTERVENTIONS: The school nurses distributed a detailed questionnaire to 2582 girls who were attending school at the time of the study. Completion of the questionnaire was voluntary and anonymous. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea, acyclic abdominal pain, dyspareunia, dyschezia, and dysuria. Severity was evaluated with an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS). RESULTS: A total of 1103 eligible answers were analyzed. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 68% (738/1092) with mean NRS of 7.0 (SD = 2.0). Acyclic abdominal pain, dyspareunia, dyschezia, and dysuria were less frequent (19% [207/1085], 12% [53/458], 8% [87/1088] and 5% [50/1084], respectively). The prevalence of severe dysmenorrhea (NRS 8-10) was 33% (355/1089). Severe dysmenorrhea was associated with increased risk of concurrent acyclic abdominal pain (odds ratio [OR] = 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-3.6), dyschezia (OR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.6-3.9), and regular absenteeism from school or hobbies (OR = 10.0; 95% CI, 4.2-23.6). Using different criteria, 2%-10% (21-106/1103) of all girls could be identified as having symptoms suggestive of endometriosis. Five percent of girls (n = 53/1103) had severe dysmenorrhea, used oral contraceptive pills, and reported inadequate relief from pain medication. CONCLUSION: One-third (355/1089) of 15- to 19-year-old girls had severe menstrual pain and 14% (49/355) of them were regularly absent from school or hobbies. Five percent of all teenage girls (53/1103) were poor responders to conventional therapy for primary dysmenorrhea.