Correlation between lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction in men presenting for prostate cancer screening.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are age-related conditions that may have a profound impact on the quality of life. The relationship between LUTS and ED is not completely understood. In this study, we assessed this relationship in men over 45 years of age during a prostate cancer screening program. LUTS and ED were evaluated in 1267 men aged 45-75 years (mean 58.2+/-8.2 years). Patients completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). The association between LUTS and ED was analyzed and the influence of age in the results was tested. We also evaluated the influence of the intensity of LUTS in the ED severity. A total of 514 (40.6%) patients were considered symptomatic of LUTS (24.8% with mild, 11.8% with moderate and 4% with severe LUTS). ED was present in 758 (59.9%) men and was considered mild in 25.0%, moderate in 18.3% and severe in 16.7%. The IIEF-5 score had a negative correlation with both the IPSS score (r=-0.33, P<0.001) and age (r=-0.31 and P<0.001). Age was positively associated with the IPSS score (r=0.14 and P<0.001). A significant correlation was observed between LUTS and ED, with 57.6% of the men with LUTS presenting ED as opposed to 29.7% of the asymptomatic population (odds ratio=3.32; 95% CI =2.57-4.29, P<0.001). Age-adjusted univariate analysis revealed a significant and independent influence of LUTS on the incidence of ED (odds ratio=2.72; 95% CI=2.08-3.57, P<0.001). IIEF scores varied significantly according to the severity of the urinary symptoms. Our findings in a prostate cancer screening population confirm that LUTS is an age-independent predictor of ED. Furthermore, they demonstrate that not only the presence of LUTS increases the likelihood of developing ED, but the severity of LUTS is associated with the intensity of ED.

[Splenectomy plus left gastric vein ligature and devascularization of the great curvature of the stomach in the treatment of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Postoperative endoscopic sclerosis is necessary?]. / Esplenectomia com ligadura da veia gástrica esquerda e desvascularização da grande curvatura do estômago no tratamento da esquistossomose hepatoesplênica. E necessária a escleroterapia endoscópica pós-operatória?

OBJECTIVE: With the intention of evaluating the effectiveness and the maintenance of the postoperative endoscopic sclerosis as routine, in association to splenectomy with left gastric vein ligature and devascularization of the great curvature of the stomach, the present study was accomplished. METHOD: Between 1992 and 1998, 131 patient were operated in the General Division of the "Hospital das Clínicas" (Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil). The medium follow-up was 30 months. All patients were requested to come back to the clinic for accomplishment of clinical and laboratory control. Of the 111 patients that came back to the clinic, 80 patients had a digestive endoscopy done. Of these 80 patients, 36 followed the recommendation and underwent to a postoperative endoscopic sclerosis program (group 1), while 44 did not accomplish postoperative endoscopic sclerosis (group 2). RESULTS: Regarding the eradication of the esophagus varices, the authors found a statistical difference between the groups (52.7% of the group 1 vs. 18.2% of the group 2). Other analyzed items (mortality, rebleeding rate, thrombosis of the portal vein, gastric varices and degree of periportal fibrosis) statistical relevance was not observed. CONCLUSION: The association of the postoperative endoscopic sclerosis to the splenectomy with left gastric vein ligature and devascularization of the great curvature of the stomach, in the treatment of schistosomotic portal hypertension with digestive hemorrhage antecedent, should be maintained.

Systemic and hepatic hemodynamics in hepatosplenic Manson's schistosomiasis with and without propranolol.

Systemic and hepatic hemodynamics were prospectively studied in 11 patients with Manson's schistosomiasis and portal hypertension, as well as alterations resulting from the use of propranolol. It was decided that patients whose portal pressure was reduced by 30% with the use of the drug would not undergo surgery and that treatment would consist of the chronic use of propranolol, associated with sclerosis of esophageal varices. This objective was not met by any of the patients whose portal pressure was measured and the study was interrupted. Results show that patients with Manson's schistosomiasis and portal hypertension have hyperdynamic circulation, mild pulmonary hypertension, greatly increased splenic blood flow, and preservation of total hepatic blood flow. Administration of propranolol corrects hyperdynamic circulation, aggravates pulmonary hypertension, does not alter portal pressure and reduces the sectorial portal blood flows, especially of the azygos vein, with maintenance of total hepatic blood flow. These data favor the hypothesis of portal overflow in the physiopathology of portal hypertension of schistosomiasis.