Creation and Initial Validation of a Picture-Based Version of the Limitations of Activity Domain of the SF-36.

Those with limited language comprehension or literacy face problems completing written questionnaires evaluating their health or physical status on which treatment plans are based. This brief report describes how a picture-based version of the 10 items in the limitations of activities section of the short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36) was developed iteratively and then piloted. Study participants were 101 community-living volunteers (58 female and 43 male volunteers aged 18-93 yrs) educated to postsecondary level (52), high school grades 10-12 (44), and grade 9 or less (5). They first completed the picture-based SF-36 LoA and described verbally and in writing what they understood each picture to mean and then completed the English text version of the SF-36 limitations of physical activities domain for comparison assessment. Additional feedback suggested where pictures could be altered to increase information capture. Subjects rated their health as 26.7% excellent, 25.7% very good, 29.8% good, 10.9% fair, and 6.9% poor. Analysis showed strong correlation between text-based SF-36 LoA questions and the picture-based visual score-VSF-36 LoA-(intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98) with question 10 correlating highest (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.90) and question 2 lowest (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.82). The VSF-36 LoA is the first picture-based version of the SF-36; good correlation with the text-based version and global need warrants further development to aid those with limited literacy or language comprehension.

Associations between sexual satisfaction and function and the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms among men in a rural sub-Saharan African community.

INTRODUCTION: The recognized association between erectile dysfunction (ED) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from high-income countries is unreported from Africa. Authentic figures on prevalence of ED and LUTS from Africa are scarce in the literature. This study was conducted to quantify sexual function and satisfaction among Ugandan men in relation to LUTS severity. METHODS: A convenience sample of men participating in a parallel, cross-sectional survey was used. The population, men >55 years living in Sheema district, Uganda, were recruited into two cohorts: those living in the community and those seeking clinic care due to bother from LUTS. This was to ensure inclusion of a full spectrum of LUTS. The instruments were the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) to quantify LUTS and the Epstein Inventory (EI) to assess four measures of sexual functioning. Bivariate analysis compared community and clinic cohort participants, LUTS severity, and each sexual functioning item with two-sample t-tests for means and Chi-square tests of independence for categorical versions. RESULTS: Participants included 415 men (238 community and 177 clinic) at mean age of 67.5 years vs. 62.9 (p=<0.001) with mean IPSS of 9.32 vs. 17.07 (p≤0.001). Lower mean satisfaction with sexual activity and frequency of erections occurred in the clinic cohort (p≤0.001). Overall, all four questions assessing dissatisfaction with sexual function were significantly correlated with worsening LUTS; sexual satisfaction and frequency of sexual drive were also influenced by age and low levels of education. CONCLUSIONS: These are the first data describing the severity relationship between LUTS and ED in African men. Respondents reported dissatisfaction in the past year with the level of their sexual activity, frequency of sexual drive, ability to have erections, and sexual performance that related statistically to the severity of their LUTS.

Ambulant monitoring of bladder oxygenation and hemodynamics using wireless near-infrared spectroscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) non-invasively detects changes in the concentration of the chromophores oxygenated (ΔO2Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (ΔHHb) as the bladder detrusor muscle contracts during voiding. Such data provide novel information on bladder oxygenation and hemodynamics. We evaluated the feasibility of monitoring ambulant subjects using a wireless NIRS device. METHODS: The wireless device uses paired light-emitting diodes (wavelengths 760 and 850 nm) and a silicon photodiode detector. We monitored 14 asymptomatic subjects (10 adults, 4 children) and 6 symptomatic children with non-neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) during spontaneous voiding after natural filling. The device was taped to the abdominal skin 2 cm above the symphysis pubis across the midline. The wireless NIRS data (patterns of change in chromophore concentration) were compared between subjects and to the data obtained using a laser-powered instrument. RESULTS: Graphs of ΔO2Hb, ΔHHb and total hemoglobin (ΔtHb) were obtained from all 20 patients. Data during uroflow showed reproducible patterns of bladder chromophore change between asymptomatic subjects (rise in ΔtHb/ΔO2Hb), consistent with laser instrument data. In contrast, all 6 symptomatic children had a negative trend in ΔtHb, with falls in ΔO2Hb. One adult experienced "shy" bladder and changes in hemodynamics/oxygenation occurred while bladder volume was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Wireless NIRS bladder monitoring is feasible in ambulant adults and children; wireless and laser-derived data in asymptomatic subjects are comparable. Pilot data suggest that subjects with symptomatic NLUTD have impaired bladder oxygenation/hemodynamics. The fact that chromophore changes occur when bladder volume remains constant supports the concept that NIRS data are a physiologic measure.