Weight-adjusted-waist index is positively associated with urinary incontinence: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2018.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is closely related to obesity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of a novel anthropometric indicator weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) with UI. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2018. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between WWI and three types of UI [stress UI (SUI), urgency UI (UUI), and mixed UI (MUI)]. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Delong et al.'s test were utilized for comparison of the predictive capability for UI between WWI and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC). RESULTS: A total of 41,614 participants were included in this study, of whom 23.57% had SUI, 19.24% had UUI, and 9.43% had MUI. In the fully adjusted model, WWI was positively associated with three types of UI [SUI: odds ratio (OR) = 1.19, 95%Confidence interval (CI) 1.13-1.25; UUI: OR = 1.18, 95%CI 1.13-1.24; MUI: OR = 1.19, 95%CI 1.11-1.27, all p < 0.001]. Compared to the lowest WWI interval, the positive correlation between WWI and UI still existed in the highest WWI group after converting WWI to a categorical variable by quartiles (SUI: OR = 1.52, 95%CI 1.35-1.71, p < 0.001; UUI: OR = 1.50, 95%CI 1.33-1.69, p < 0.001; MUI: OR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.32-1.83, p < 0.001). WWI had a stronger prediction for three types of UI than BMI and WC (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A higher WWI was linked with an increased likelihood of three types of UI (SUI, UUI, and MUI) in the United State population. Compared to BMI and WC, WWI had a stronger predictive power for UI. WWI may be a better adiposity parameter for evaluating UI.

Investigating the causal associations between metabolic biomarkers and the risk of kidney cancer.

Metabolic reprogramming plays an important role in kidney cancer. We aim to investigate the causal effect of 249 metabolic biomarkers on kidney cancer from population-based data. This study extracts data from previous genome wide association studies with large sample size. The primary endpoint is random-effect inverse variance weighted (IVW). After completing 249 times of two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis, those significant metabolites are included for further sensitivity analysis. According to a strict Bonferrion-corrected level (P < 2e-04), we only find two metabolites that are causally associated with renal cancer. They are lactate (OR:3.25, 95% CI: 1.84-5.76, P = 5.08e-05) and phospholipids to total lipids ratio in large LDL (low density lipoprotein) (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.50-0.80, P = 1.39e-04). The results are stable through all the sensitivity analysis. The results emphasize the central role of lactate in kidney tumorigenesis and provide novel insights into possible mechanism how phospholipids could affect kidney tumorigenesis.

Association Between Physical Activity and the Prevalence of Kidney Stones in American Adults: Results From a Multiyear National Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and the prevalence of kidney stones. METHODS: A cross-section study was conducted using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2018. PA was evaluated based on the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to elucidate the association between PA (patterns, intensity, duration, and frequency of moderate and vigorous PA) and the prevalence of kidney stones after adjusting for potential confounders. Stratified and interaction analyses were conducted to detect potential effect modifiers. In addition, PA was assessed using metabolic equivalent and physical volume, and followed the regression above. Water intake was obtained from the day 2 dietary recall and was included in the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: A total of 34,390 participants were included in the analysis. The multivariable logistic regression revealed that individuals who engaged in moderate PA for 30-60 minutes per day had a significant inverse association with the prevalence of kidney stones in the fully adjusted model (odds ratio=0.804, 95% confidence interval 0.700 to 0.923), while no more significant finding was observed for other PA parameters. Interaction and stratified analyses indicated no covariate modifying the association. The results above were robust in the sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: The duration of moderate PA (30-60 min/d) is inversely associated with the prevalence of kidney stones, while no more significant association was observed between other PA parameters (including patterns, intensity, duration, and frequency of vigorous PA, frequency of moderate PA) and kidney stones.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of prostate cancer incidentally discovered at the time of radical cystoprostatectomy: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with concomitant bladder cancer (BCa) and prostate cancer (PCa) using a large population-based database. METHODS: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2000-2019), we identified patient with concomitant PCa at the time of radical cystoprostatectomy (RCP). Logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were employed to identify risk factors and mitigate confounders, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate cancer-specific survival (CSS). RESULTS: A total of 14,199 BCa patients undergoing RCP were identified, with 28.8% incidentally discovered to have concurrent PCa. Among them, 89.9% exhibited organ-confined (T1-2) PCa. An increased risk of concomitant tumors was observed among older age, white race, and high tumor grade of BCa. Survival analysis revealed no significant difference in CSS between patients with BCa alone and those with concurrent PCa (5-year CSS rate: 71.3% vs. 67.2%, P =0.076). Subgroup analysis and multivariable analysis, however, indicated that concurrent high-risk PCa adversely impacted survival (5-year CSS rate: 71.3% vs. 63.4%, HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.01-1.58, P =0.038) compared to solitary BCa. Notably, the presence of low/intermediate-risk PCa did not affect survival outcomes ( P =0.584). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, incidentally discovered PCa in RCP specimens is frequent and characterized by organ-confined presentation, lower PSA levels, and Gleason scores. Patients with concurrent high-risk PCa have a worse prognosis compared to those with solitary BCa, while the presence of low/intermediate-risk PCa does not influence oncological prognosis.

Predictors of trimodality therapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer and effect on survival

Background Due to its unique advantages over radical cystectomy (RC), trimodality therapy (TMT) is increasingly being utilized by patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are not suitable for or refuse RC. However, achieving a satisfactory oncological outcome with TMT requires strict patient selection criteria, and the comparative oncological outcomes of TMT versus RC remain controversial. Methods Patients diagnosed with non-metastatic MIBC who underwent TMT or RC were identified from the SEER database during 2004–2015. Before one-to-one propensity score matching (PSM), logistic regression was utilized to identify predictors of TMT. After matching, K-M curves were generated to estimate cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) with log-rank to test the significance. Finally, we conducted univariate and multivariate Cox analyses to identify independent prognostic factors for CSS and OS. Results The RC and TMT groups included 5812 and 1260 patients, respectively, and the TMT patients were significantly older than the RC patients. Patients with advanced age, separated, divorced, or widowed (SDW) or unmarried marital status (married as reference), and larger tumor size (< 40 mm as reference) were more likely to be treated with TMT. After PSM, TMT was found to be associated with worse CSS and OS, and it was identified as an independent risk factor for both CSS and OS. Conclusion MIBC patients may not be carefully evaluated prior to TMT, and some non-ideal candidates underwent TMT. TMT resulted in worse CSS and OS in the contemporary era, but these results may be biased. Strict TMT candidate criteria and TMT treatment modality should be required (AU)

Predictors of trimodality therapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer and effect on survival.

BACKGROUND: Due to its unique advantages over radical cystectomy (RC), trimodality therapy (TMT) is increasingly being utilized by patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who are not suitable for or refuse RC. However, achieving a satisfactory oncological outcome with TMT requires strict patient selection criteria, and the comparative oncological outcomes of TMT versus RC remain controversial. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with non-metastatic MIBC who underwent TMT or RC were identified from the SEER database during 2004-2015. Before one-to-one propensity score matching (PSM), logistic regression was utilized to identify predictors of TMT. After matching, K-M curves were generated to estimate cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) with log-rank to test the significance. Finally, we conducted univariate and multivariate Cox analyses to identify independent prognostic factors for CSS and OS. RESULTS: The RC and TMT groups included 5812 and 1260 patients, respectively, and the TMT patients were significantly older than the RC patients. Patients with advanced age, separated, divorced, or widowed (SDW) or unmarried marital status (married as reference), and larger tumor size (< 40 mm as reference) were more likely to be treated with TMT. After PSM, TMT was found to be associated with worse CSS and OS, and it was identified as an independent risk factor for both CSS and OS. CONCLUSION: MIBC patients may not be carefully evaluated prior to TMT, and some non-ideal candidates underwent TMT. TMT resulted in worse CSS and OS in the contemporary era, but these results may be biased. Strict TMT candidate criteria and TMT treatment modality should be required.

Validation and comparison of prognostic value of different preoperative systemic inflammation indices in non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Several preoperative systemic inflammation indices have been proven to be correlated with the prognosis of patients diagnosed with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, these indices are currently not included in the main prognostic models, and few studies have compared the prognostic efficacy of different preoperative systemic inflammation indices. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed patients diagnosed with non-metastatic RCC who underwent nephrectomy at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2011 to 2013. Different preoperative systemic inflammation indices (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio [PLR], monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio [MLR], systemic immune-inflammation index [SII], and systemic inflammation response index [SIRI]) were calculated. Logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between systemic inflammation indices and clinical characteristics, and Cox regression was used to identify independent prognostic factors of overall survival (OS). The concordance index (c-index) was also calculated. RESULTS: A total of 820 patients were included in the study, with a median follow-up of 78 months. Higher levels of NLR (> 3.04), PLR (> 147), MLR (> 0.32), SII (> 700), and SIRI (> 1.27) were found to be associated with more advanced tumor stage, higher Furman grade, and larger tumor size. In multivariate Cox regression, NLR, PLR, MLR, SII, and SIRI were identified as independent prognostic factors, and SII had the highest and most significant hazard ratio and the largest c-index. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, various systemic inflammation indices were found to be associated with poorer OS. Among them, SII exhibited the highest predictive efficacy, suggesting its potential inclusion as a component in future prognostic models.

Prognostic value of preoperative microscopic hematuria in patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma who underwent nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Microscopic hematuria is associated with various urinary system diseases and is commonly used for the diagnosis of these conditions. Its prognostic role in non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients who underwent nephrectomy remains unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of non-metastatic RCC patients who underwent nephrectomy in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2011 to 2013 was performed. Significant microscopic hematuria (SMH), defined as a threshold with a significant impact on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), was determined by Kaplan-Meier curves and the Maximally Selected Log-Rank Statistic. Kaplan-Meier curves were then used to estimate patients' DFS and OS, and the log-rank test was used to examine statistical significance. Logistic regression was utilized to identify clinical-pathological factors associated with SMH, while Cox regression was employed to determine independent factors of survival. RESULTS: A total of 773 patients were included, and 20 red blood cells per high-power field was identified as the cutoff of SMH, of which 90 patients had preoperative SMH (11.6%) and 683 patients (88.4%) did not. Larger tumor size (OR = 1.10 [per cm], 95% CI 1.01-1.19, p = 0.036) and higher Fuhrman grade (grade 3 vs. grade 1-2, OR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.09-2.83, p = 0.02; grade 4 vs. grade 1-2, OR = 2.15, 95% CI 0.73-6.31, p = 0.164) were predictors of SMH. Compared to non-SMH patients, SMH patients had poorer DFS (HR = 3.16, 95% CI 2.07-4.83, p < 0.001) and OS (HR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.34-3.32, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In summary, preoperative SMH is associated with larger tumor size and higher Fuhrman grade, and it is also independently correlated with poorer DFS and OS in non-metastatic RCC patients who underwent nephrectomy.

Relationship between weight-adjusted-waist index and erectile dysfunction in the United State: results from NHANES 2001-2004.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the association between a novel adiposity parameter, the weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI), and erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: According to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2004, a total of 3884 participants were categorized as ED and non-ED individuals. WWI was calculated as waist circumference (WC, cm) divided by the square root of weight (kg). Weighted univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to assess the correlation between WWI and ED. Smooth curve fitting was utilized to examine the linear association. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and DeLong et al.'s test were applied to compare the area under curve (AUC) value and predictive power among WWI, body mass index (BMI), and WC for ED. Results: WWI was positively related to ED with the full adjustment [odds ratio (OR)=1.75, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.32-2.32, p=0.002]. After converting WWI to a categorical variable by quartiles (Q1-Q4), compared to Q1 the highest WWI quartile was linked to an obviously increased likelihood of ED (OR=2.78, 95% CI: 1.39-5.59. p=0.010). Subgroup analysis revealed the stability of the independent positive relationship between WWI and ED. It was shown that WWI had a stronger prediction for ED (AUC=0.745) than BMI (AUC=0.528) and WC (AUC=0.609). Sensitivity analysis was performed to verify the significantly positive connection between WWI and stricter ED (OR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.36-2.94, p=0.003). Conclusion: An elevated WWI was related to higher risks of ED in the United State adults, and a stronger predictive power of WWI for ED was observed than BMI and WC.

Radical versus partial nephrectomy for T1 non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Nephron-sparing surgery is the recommended surgical management of T1 renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, non-clear cell RCC (nccRCC) is heterogeneous and included many histological types. Therefore, the present study was performed to compare radical nephrectomy (RN) versus partial nephrectomy (PN) in nccRCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry (2000-2019), the patients with nccRCC were identified. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and the log-rank test were conducted. Univariate analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed to explore the prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 7575 patients with nccRCC were included, of which papillary RCC (n = 5219) is the major histology. Kaplan-Meier plots and log-rank tests showed that nccRCC patients who underwent RN had significantly worse overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) than those who received PN (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis also revealed that RN was significantly associated with poor OS and CSS in nccRCC patients. Stratified by histological types, the multivariate analysis also revealed that RN was significantly associated with poor OS in papillary and chromophobe (all P < 0.05). Besides, the multivariable analysis indicated that RN was associated with poor CSS in papillary RCC (P < 0.05). For other histology, the patients who received RN had a comparable survival to those who received PN. CONCLUSION: For patients with T1 nccRCC, our findings revealed that PN was not inferior to RN in OS and CSS. PN may be also the preferred option for T1 nccRCC, but more prospective studies are required to validate this finding.

Survival benefit stratification of partial nephrectomy versus non-surgical treatment in elderly patients with T1a renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) of stage T1a has been proven to be of low-grade malignancy and mostly affects elderly individuals with relatively limited life expectancy. However, research on the survival benefit of surgery relative to non-surgical treatment (NST) is limited. The aim of the study was to investigate the survival difference between partial nephrectomy (PN) and NST and to establish a benefit stratification model for elderly patients (≥70 years) diagnosed with T1a RCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with non-metastatic T1a RCC who received PN or NST were identified from the SEER database during 2004-2015. Before survival analysis, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. Overall survival (OS) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and subgroup analyses were used to identify favorable factors of PN. Independent factors of survival were recognized by multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients diagnosed with non-metastatic T1a RCC who received PN or NST were identified from the SEER database during 2004-2015. Before survival analysis, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. Overall survival (OS) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and subgroup analyses were used to identify favorable factors of PN. Independent factors of survival were recognized by multivariate Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the survival benefit of PN could be stratified based on the clinical characteristics in patients with stage T1a RCC aged 70 years or older, which may help physicians and patients optimize clinical decisions.

Immune landscape and immunotherapy for penile cancer.

Penile cancer is a rare malignancy and usually refers to penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC), which accounts for more than 95% of all penile malignancies. Although organ-sparing surgery is an effective treatment for early-stage PSCC, surgical intervention alone is often not curative for advanced PSCC with metastases to the inguinal and/or pelvic lymph nodes; thus, systemic therapy is required (usually platinum-based chemotherapy and surgery combined). However, chemotherapy for PSCC has proven to be of limited efficacy and is often accompanied by high toxicity, and patients with advanced PSCC usually have poor prognosis. The limited treatment options and poor prognosis indicate the unmet need for advanced PSCC. Immune-based therapies have been approved for a variety of genitourinary and squamous cell carcinomas but are rarely reported in PSCC. To date, several studies have reported high expression of PDL1 in PSCC, supporting the potential application of immune checkpoint inhibitors in PSCC. In addition, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is highly prevalent in PSCC and plays a key role in the carcinogenesis of HPV-positive PSCC, suggesting that therapeutic HPV vaccine may also be a potential treatment modality. Moreover, adoptive T cell therapy (ATC) has also shown efficacy in treating advanced penile cancer in some early clinical trials. The development of new therapeutics relies on understanding the underlying biological mechanisms and processes of tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. Therefore, based on the interest, we reviewed the tumor immune microenvironment and the emerging immunotherapy for penile cancer.

Contemporary use trends and effect on survival of pelvic lymph node dissection for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Background: Patients diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who are at a very high risk of disease progression and failure of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment are recommended to undergo immediate radical cystectomy (RC). The role and optimal degree of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) during RC for NMIBC patients, however, have not been well investigated. Patients and methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to identify patients. Overall survival (OS) was assessed with the Kaplan-Meier technique. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was conducted to determine independent factors of OS. Results: A total of 1,701 patients were identified in the SEER database from 2004 to 2015. Any level of PLND (>0 lymph nodes examined) was performed in 1,092 patients (64.2%). The median number of lymph nodes examined was 8 (interquartile range, 0-20) in T1, 0 (interquartile range, 0-11) in Ta, and 0 (interquartile range, 0-14) in Tia patients. Compared with non-PLND, any level of PLND improved OS in T1 but not in Ta or Tis patients. Compared to limited (1-9 lymph nodes examined) and non-PLND, extensive PLND (lymph nodes examined ≥10) resulted in better OS only in T1 patients (all p < 0.001, adjusted significance level = 0.017). PLND was identified as a independent protective factor for OS. Conclusion: Based on the SEER database, we found that PLND during RC led to better OS and extensive PLND was associated with better OS in T1 but not in Ta or Tis patients. The implementation of PLND was insufficient both in population proportions and scope.