Sexual dysfunction in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction in males, sexual dissatisfaction, sexual interest/arousal disorders, and dyspareunia in females) has not been the subject of indepth research in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in adults with CF, factors associated with sexual dysfunction, and the impact of sexual dysfunction on quality of life. METHOD: We conducted a multicentre study in adults with cystic fibrosis followed in specialist centres in Western France. We assessed erectile dysfunction and its severity using the IIEF5 self-questionnaire (International Index of Erectile Function); the FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index) was used to assess sexual function in females, and we evaluated quality of life in both sexes using the CFQ-R14+ questionnaire. RESULTS: In total, 77 males and 74 females completed the sexual function questionnaire (mean age 32+/- 10 and 25+/- 8,5 years respectively). Among them, 21 % of males and 30 % of females reported sexual dysfunction. CFQ-R14+ score was significantly lower in males with erectile dysfunction than those without (p < 0.001). Faecal incontinence was associated with more frequent sexual dysfunction in females and higher severity of erectile dysfunction in males. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of sexual disorders is relatively high in males and females with cystic fibrosis. Therefore, it seems important to train specialist teams to address the issue of sexuality without embarrassment, and to encourage them to seek out and treat faecal incontinence, which is associated with greater severity or frequency of these symptoms.

Prevalence and severity of functional urinary and anorectal disorders and their impact on quality of life in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: In cystic fibrosis (CF), coughing is associated with a risk of pelvic floor dysfunction. However, data on the prevalence of symptoms (stress urinary incontinence, bladder overactivity, dysuria, and faecal incontinence) are lacking in males and females with CF. The impact of incontinence on adherence to respiratory care has not been studied. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre study in adults with CF followed in the North-West French CF network. Urinary disorders and their severity were assessed using the Urinary Symptom Profile (USP) self-report questionnaire; the impact of urinary disorders on general quality of life was measured using the SF-Qualiveen questionnaire; faecal incontinence was assessed using the Wexner self-report questionnaire; and the CFQ-R14+ questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. A self-administered questionnaire developed for the study assessed the impact of symptoms on respiratory care. RESULTS: Of the 178 people with CF included, 34 % reported stress urinary incontinence, with a large female predominance (63.5 % of females vs. 7.5 % of males), 65 % bladder overactivity (including 16 % urge incontinence) and 50 % faecal incontinence, also with a female predominance. Neither urinary nor faecal incontinence were related to the severity of the respiratory impairment (FEV1). Quality of life was particularly affected in women. Stress urinary Incontinence symptoms affected respiratory care in both sexes. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of functional urinary and faecal disorders was high in adults with CF and impacted on quality of life and respiratory care. Therefore, multidisciplinary teams must have knowledge of symptoms, the diagnostic tools and management strategies to provide specific treatment.

Correlation between voiding dysfunction symptoms and uroflowmetry in women suffering from stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the completion of a voiding dysfunction (VD) questionnaire could have a good predictive value for uroflowmetry findings, in a population of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a urodynamic database of 415 SUI women, 93 with isolated SUI who underwent urodynamic investigations were eligible for this study. Patients with obvious etiologies of obstruction were excluded. VD symptoms were analyzed using the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire. Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) was defined as a maximal flow rate under 15 ml/s for a urine volume > 200 ml, or a post-void residual volume greater than 50 ml, or an abnormal pattern of the flow curve. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of questioning VD were calculated. Statistical analysis was done using a Wilcoxon test for continuous data and Fisher exact test for categorical data, and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Reported VD had a poor specificity (41%) and positive predictive value (32%) of BOO on uroflowmetry. No statistical correlation was found between VD symptoms and BOO defined on uroflowmetry (P=0.64) in this specific SUI population showing no obvious etiologies of obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: No correlation was found between obstructive symptoms and BOO as defined on uroflowmetry, in a specific population of SUI women. Our results suggest that uroflowmetry may be necessary rather than multichannel urodynamics.

Weight gain after childhood traumatic brain injury: a matter of concern.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess weight changes after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children and the factors influencing them. METHOD: We conducted a longitudinal observational study of children with TBI of mixed severity who were consecutively admitted to one rehabilitation department (39 children; 23 males, 16 females; median age 8y 7mo; 25th to 75th centiles 3y 7mo-11y 6mo). Weight and height before TBI were obtained from the children's records and were measured monthly for 1 year after TBI. Body mass index (BMI) and BMI z-scores were calculated, and pre-TBI values were compared with the final values using paired tests. Linear mixed-effect interaction models were used to assess the effect of various factors on z-score evolution. RESULTS: Z-score curves revealed early weight loss followed by a rapid increase in weight. The mean BMI gain over the period under study was 0.9 kg/m² (p < 0.001) and the mean z-score gain was 0.4 (p = 0.006). Six children had become overweight by the time of final assessment. Factors associated with a greater rate of increase in the post-TBI z-score were mobility restriction, male sex, and older age. Global pre- to post-TBI weight gain was significantly higher in males (z-score 0.7). Pituitary hormonal testing was available for 17 children at 3 months and for 27 at 1 year. Growth hormone deficiency was detected in one child. INTERPRETATION: Weight gain of children during the first year after TBI was rapid and excessive. Male sex was a risk factor for excessive weight gain.

Evidence for autonomic nervous system dysfunction in females with idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome.

AIMS: Micturition and continence are largely under the control of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In this study, we analyzed ANS function using autonomic cardiovascular (CV) testing in females with idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome (iOAB) versus control females. Our hypothesis was that ANS dysfunction could comprise part of the pathophysiology of iOAB. METHODS: Twenty-three females with iOAB and 29 controls were enrolled into this prospective study. Patients performed CV autonomic testing, including two sympathetic tests (hand grip exercise and cold pressor test), two parasympathetic tests (deep breathing and 30:15 ratio), and two mixed tests (Valsalva manoeuvre and blood pressure [BP] response to standing). Patients with iOAB also underwent conventional urodynamic studies in order to define iOAB as either with or without demonstrable detrusor overactivity (DO). RESULTS: Both groups were similar with respect to age and menopausal status. Females with iOAB had significantly more positive tests than controls (P < 0.0001), particularly for sympathetic tests (P < 0.0001). Among the iOAB group, the sympathetic tests (P = 0.03) were significantly more often positive in patients without DO (based on cystometry) compared to patients with DO, with the results being particularly significant for the cold pressor test (P = 0.02). No differences were found among iOAB sufferers with respect to a past history of enuresis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest ANS dysfunction, predominantly a sympathetic ANS dysfunction, is associated with iOAB, specifically in patients with iOAB without DO.

Urine leakage related to physical fatigue in women with urinary stress incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of urine leakage related to physical fatigue in women presenting with urinary stress incontinence using a specific questionnaire, and to assess its association with the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaire and urodynamic findings. DESIGN: Prospective observational descriptive study. SETTING: University hospital (urodynamics laboratory). PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-one women presenting with urinary stress incontinence and 10 continent women. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The participants underwent urethral pressure profile measurement and completed a Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaire and a specific questionnaire focused on urine leakage related to physical fatigue. RESULTS: Twenty-three (37%) women with urinary stress incontinence claimed to exhibit urine leakage related to physical fatigue more often than one third of the time and 47% claimed to exhibit urinary leakage only after more than one cough. There was a positive correlation between the findings of the specific questionnaire and the presence of a sharp decrease in urethral pressure following repeated cough efforts: question #1 (P = 0.02); question #2 (P = 0.00002); question #3 (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: There is a strong association between this questionnaire focused on urine leakage related to fatigue and the presence of a decrease in urethral pressure following repeated coughs.

External intercostal muscles and external anal sphincter electromyographic activity during coughing.

Few studies focused on concomitant electromyographic recordings of pelvic floor muscles and muscles involved in cough initiation. The objective of this study was to investigate the temporal course of external anal sphincter activation during coughing. Informed consent was obtained from ten healthy volunteers and ten women presenting with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Simultaneously, recordings of electromyographic activity of external intercostal muscles (EIC EMGi) and external anal sphincter (EAS EMGi) during coughing have been performed. It was chosen to study intercostals muscles because they are synchronous to diaphragmatic muscle during cough initiation. Median (interquartile range) latency between the onset of the EAS EMGi and the onset of the EIC EMGi was -210 ms (-398; -135) and 0 ms (-30; +111.7) in volunteers' group and in SUI group, respectively (p = 0.0009). Abnormal temporal course of external anal sphincter activation is observed during coughing in women presenting with SUI compared to healthy volunteers.

Abnormal pelvic response to cough in women with stress urinary incontinence.

AIMS: To assess how muscular fatigue deteriorates the modulation of pelvic contraction during increasing cough efforts. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation between the temporal course of pelvic floor activation during cough. METHODS: Informed consent was obtained from 20 women presenting with SUI and 6 continent women (overactive bladder syndrome [OAB]). Bladder pressure (BP) and external anal sphincter electromyographic activity (EAS EMGi) were recorded concomitantly during increasing cough efforts. Modulation of pelvic contraction was assessed before and after two types of intense pelvic exercise (Exercise #1: 10 successive strong cough efforts; Exercise #2: 10 pelvic contractions followed by a maximal pelvic contraction) at 0, 200, and 400 ml of bladder filling. We have also recorded electromyographic activity of external intercostal (EIC) muscles. RESULTS: Whereas the Exercise 1 had no effect on modulation, the Exercise 2 altered significantly the modulation of pelvic contraction during increasing cough efforts (P = 0.043) only in women presenting with SUI. The bladder filling volume seems to not significantly modify this modulation (P = 0.12). Median latency between the onset of the EAS EMGi and the onset of the EIC EMGi was -470 and -60 msec in OAB group and in SUI group, respectively (P = 0.012). There was a good correlation between mean latency (default of EAS EMGi pre-activation) and an altered modulation of pelvic contraction during increasing cough efforts (P = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Some women with SUI exhibit an altered pattern of the PFM response during increasing coughing efforts. The lack of this modulation of PFM response to stress may be one of the pathophysiologic factors of SUI.

Autonomic nervous system activity during bladder filling assessed by heart rate variability analysis in women with idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome or stress urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: Idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome is a common disorder, especially in women. Of various pathophysiological factors several studies suggest a specific dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. To verify this hypothesis we compared heart rate variability parameters, which provide an analysis of autonomic function, in women with idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome to those in a reference population of women with stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diseases and medications that can perturb the autonomic nervous system were excluded. We included 7 women with pure stress urinary incontinence and 3 with isolated overactive bladder syndrome. Continuous echocardiogram recording was performed with the bladder emptied and during artificial bladder filling. High frequency variations of instantaneous heart rate represent parasympathetic activity, low frequency variations represent sympathetic activity and the low-to-high frequency ratio represents the autonomic balance. RESULTS: Heart rate variability parameters did not change significantly during bladder filling in women with stress urinary incontinence. In contrast, sympathetic tone in women with overactive bladder syndrome (low frequency) increased significantly at the end of bladder filling (p = 0.001), in parallel with a decrease in parasympathetic activity (high frequency) and a significant increase in the low-to-high frequency ratio (each p <0.001). Parasympathetic activity with the bladder emptied was significantly higher in the overactive bladder syndrome group (p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study demonstrates the predominance of parasympathetic activity with the bladder emptied and a preponderance of sympathetic activity at the end of bladder filling in women with overactive bladder syndrome. These results suggest dysfunction in the autonomic balance, as implied in idiopathic overactive bladder syndrome. Further studies in a larger population of patients with overactive bladder syndrome with reference to normal subjects free of urinary symptoms are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Decrease in urethral pressure following repeated cough efforts: a new concept for pathophysiology of stress urinary incontinence.

AIMS: To describe the decrease in maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) following repeated coughs in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: MUCP was recorded at rest and after seven cough efforts in 70 women under age 40 referred for urodynamic investigation (47 women with SUI and 23 women without SUI). RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient for repeatability was very good at 400 mL filling volume: 0.94 (95%CI: 0.85-0.98), as compared to the mean and standard-deviations of the MUCP measurements. A decrease in MUCP >20% after seven cough efforts was observed in 18(38%) patients in the SUI group and in just 1(4%) woman in the non-SUI group (P = 0.0069). CONCLUSIONS: Many women with SUI exhibit a sharp decrease in MUCP after repeated coughs. Many hypotheses may explain this phenomenon, including increased fatigue of the periurethral muscles.

Pelvic floor muscle activity during coughing: altered pattern in women with stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between bladder pressure (BP) and pelvic floor muscle activity during coughing in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: External anal sphincter integrated electromyographic activity (EAS-EMGi) was recorded in 21 women using pregelled surface electrodes. The relationship between BP and EAS-EMGi activity was assessed during four successive coughs at 0, 200, and 400 mL of filling. We also compared this relationship in 6 women presenting with SUI and 4 continent women. RESULTS: Among the considered models, a sigmoid relationship between EAS-EMGi and BP best described the data: EMGi = exp[a x (BP - b)]/(1 + exp[a x (BP - b)]). This relationship between EAS-EMGi and BP was significantly altered in women presenting with SUI (P <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Women with SUI exhibited an altered pattern of the pelvic floor muscle response during successive coughing efforts. The lack of this modulation of pelvic floor muscle response to stress might be one of the pathophysiologic factors of SUI.