Novel clinical risk calculator for improving cancer predictability of mpMRI fusion biopsy in prostates.

PURPOSE: Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) assists in evaluating lesions on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), but there are still ongoing efforts in improving the predictive value for the presence of clinically significant PCa (csPCa) with a Gleason grade group ≥ 2 on Fusion-Biopsy. This pilot study intends to propose an easily implementable method for augmenting predictability of csPCa for PI-RADS. METHODS: A cohort of 151 consecutive patients underwent mpMRI Fusion and random US Biopsy as a result of having at least one PI-RADS lesion grade 3-5 between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2022. A single radiologist reads all films in this study applying PI-RADS V2. RESULTS: Of the 151 consecutive patients, 49 had a highest lesion of PI-RADS 3, 82 had a highest lesion of PI-RADS 4, and 20 had a highest lesion of PI-RADS 5. For each respective group, 12, 42, and 18 patients had proven csPCa. Two predictive models for csPCa were created by employing a logistical regression with parameters readily available to providers. The models had an AUC of 0.8133 and 0.8206, indicating promising effective models. CONCLUSION: PI-RADS classification has relevant predictability problems for grades 3 and 4. By applying the presented risk calculators, patients with PI-RADS 3 and 4 are better stratified, and thus, a significant number of patients can be spared biopsies with potential complications, such as infection and bleeding. The presented predictive models may be a valuable diagnostic tool, adding additional information in the clinical decision-making process for biopsies.

Comparison of Intermittent and Continuous Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer Patients: An Up-to-Date Meta-analysis for Urologists and Medical Providers.

INTRODUCTION: Androgen deprivation therapy first became the treatment of choice for advanced prostate cancer in the 1940s with Charles Huggins' discoveries. Eight decades later, androgen deprivation therapy has significantly evolved, and yet is still utilized in various ways to treat certain forms of prostate cancer. For local recurrence after failed primary treatment and for locally advanced and metastatic disease, continuous androgen deprivation therapy has been standard of treatment. However, intermittent androgen deprivation therapy has emerged as a therapeutic alternative to continuous androgen deprivation therapy. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to provide an update on mortality, specifically prostate cancer-specific and nonprostate cancer causes, in order to offer some guidance when selecting the appropriate form of systemic androgen deprivation therapy. METHODS: The PubMed database was searched for prospective randomized clinical trials. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. Using statistical software, we analyzed random-effects models with the assumption that the data were randomly sampled, estimated the pooled log risk ratio, assessed heterogeneity, and created funnel plots to evaluate publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 12 randomized clinical trials met all inclusion criteria for final analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in prostate cancer-specific mortality between intermittent androgen deprivation therapy and continuous androgen deprivation therapy (RR=1.10 [0.85-1.42]). The analysis of nonprostate cancer mortality favored intermittent androgen deprivation therapy over continuous androgen deprivation therapy, but the difference was statistically insignificant (RR=0.94 [0.76-1.17]). CONCLUSIONS: These 2 treatment modalities can be considered as equivalent in long-term treatment outcomes. As intermittent androgen deprivation therapy is more cost-efficient and less likely to yield adverse side effects, future treatment guidelines should consider these advantages over continuous androgen deprivation therapy.

Association between prostate size and glandular tissue volume of the peripheral zone via novel combined MRI and histopathology: possible pathophysiological implications on prostate cancer development.

PURPOSE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) are the two most prevalent urologic diseases affecting elderly men. An inverse relationship between BPH/prostate size and PCa incidence is well documented in the current literature, but the precise mechanism is poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the effect of total prostate volume on total glandular tissue volume of the peripheral zone via a novel combination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histo-anatomical imaging. METHODS: 42 male patients between ages 53-79 years underwent both radical prostatectomy and pre-operative MRI scans. Prostate sizes ranged from 14.8-133.3cc. Quantitative measurements of surgical capsule thickness and glandular epithelial cell density within the peripheral zone (PZ) were obtained on histo-anatomical slides using computer-based imaging software. Quantitative prostatic zonal measurements were obtained from MRI scans. Combining MRI- and histopathology-obtained parameters allowed measurement of the total glandular tissue volume of the PZ (GVPZ). Statistical analysis was performed to identify associations between total prostate volume (TPV) and GVPZ. RESULTS: The Mann-Whitney U-test showed significant decreases in GVPZ in larger prostates when compared to smaller prostates. CONCLUSIONS: Combined MRI and histopathology techniques provide a novel method for accurate measuring of glandular tissue content within the prostatic PZ. The findings of this pilot study support the hypothesis of PZ compression by an expanding transition zone in large BPH prostates, leading to atrophy of PZ glandular tissue. As the majority of PCa originates in the PZ, this dynamic process may explain the protective effect of large BPH prostates against PCa development.

Efficacy of organo-selenium-incorporated urinary catheter tubing for in vitro growth inhibition of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and H. influenzae.

PURPOSE: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are of significant medical burden in cost, morbidity, and mortality. Experimental selenium-coated medical devices have demonstrated non-toxic in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity. While antimicrobial-coated catheters have shown efficacy in preventing CAUTIs, selenium has not been tested in this context. The purpose of this in vitro study is to evaluate selenium-incorporated urinary catheters for inhibition of uropathogenic bacterial growth and biofilm formation. METHODS: Urinary catheters incorporated with 1% organo-selenium and standard (uncoated) catheters were incubated in vitro with E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, H. influenzae, and combinations of these bacteria. Growth was evaluated by colony-forming unit count and visualized with confocal laser and scanning electron microscopy. Organo-selenium catheter material integrity was also tested by soaking the tubing in phosphate-buffered saline for 12 weeks at 37 °C. RESULTS: Organo-selenium-incorporated catheters demonstrated total reduction (100%) of in vitro bacterial growth and biofilm formation for E. coli, K. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and a combination of these species when compared to control. P. aeruginosa growth was inhibited by approximately 4 logs (99.99%). Complete inhibition of E. coli growth was maintained after long-term phosphate-buffered saline soaking. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that organo-selenium was stably incorporated into catheter tubing and inhibited bacterial attachment, growth, and biofilm formation for multiple uropathogenic organisms. Furthermore, long-term soaking of organo-selenium tubing in phosphate-buffered saline did not show any decline in bacterial growth inhibition or biofilm formation. These findings suggest that organo-selenium-incorporated catheters may be advantageous in preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections and warrant further in vivo and clinical evaluation.

MRI determined prostate volume and the incidence of prostate cancer on MRI-fusion biopsy: a systemic review of reported data for the last 20 years.

PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a precise, systemic and advantageous imaging technique when compared to transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) which is very operator dependent. The negative correlation between prostate volume and the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) obtained by TRUS biopsy has been well documented in the literature. The purpose of this systemic review is analyzing the reported MRI-fusion study results on prostate biopsies regarding any correlation between prostate volume and the incidence of PCa. METHODS: After defining the inclusion and exclusion criteria an in-depth review were performed between 01.01.2000 and 02.08.2022 using the PubMed database and applying the "PRISMA" guidelines. RESULTS: Twelve studies qualified, and all showed an inverse/negative relationship between prostate volume and incidence of PCa. Sample sizes ranged from 33 to 2767 patients in single and multi-institutional studies. All studies showed a statistically significant inverse relationship with a p value < 0.05. The graph summarizing all of studies and using Fisher's method revealed a highly significant combined p level of 0.00001. Additionally, not one single study was found showing the contrary (a positive correlation between prostate size and the incidence of PCa). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first systemic review of reported MRI-Fusion data on the incidence of PCa in correlation with prostate volume. This MRI review confirms previous TRUS-biopsy studies which demonstrated an inverse relationship between prostate volume and the incidence of PCa, and thus further supports the hypothesis that large prostates size may be protective against PCa when compared to smaller prostates.

Association Between Prostate Size and MRI Determined Quantitative Prostate Zonal Measurements.

Purpose: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) are the two most prevalent and common urologic diseases impacting elderly men. The current literature has well documented an inverse relationship between prostate/BPH-size and incidence of PCa, but the exact interaction between these two disease entities is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to analyze prostatic zonal measurements with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to investigate the dynamic changes of the transition zone (TZ) and peripheral zone (PZ) in response to prostate/BPH growth. Methods: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) scans of 430 consecutive male patients aged 18-89 years were obtained to measure the different zonal areas of the prostate. The data were statistically analyzed to identify specific associations between the different measurement parameters and total prostate volume (TPV). Results: The Mann-Whitney U-test showed a significant decline of the average peripheral zone thickness (PZT) (z = -4.5665, p < 0.0001) in larger prostates when compared to smaller prostates. The Spearman correlation between TPV and PZT demonstrated a significant negative correlation (-0.20, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The data revealed that PZT was significantly smaller in the subgroup of patients with higher TPV. This supports the hypothesis of PZ compression and thinning caused by the growing and expanding TZ in BPH prostates. This dynamic growth-related process in the different prostatic zones may explain the protective effect of BPH against PCa.

Evolution of Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) and Its New Emerging Modalities in Prostate Cancer: An Update for Practicing Urologists, Clinicians and Medical Providers.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been the main management strategy for prostate cancer for more than eight decades, nowadays achieved commonly by administration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists. ADT markedly suppresses androgen hormones with the long-term risks of adverse events such as muscle weakness, impairment of glucose and lipid metabolism, impotence, osteoporosis, and secondary fractures. Extensive research has provided significantly better insight into the dynamics of ADT including identification of the benefits of sequential and combination therapies. This has led to the development of new pharmaceutical ADT modalities. This review provides a general overview of the evolution of ADT in the context of the new emerging pharmaceutical ADT modalities so that clinicians and medical providers have a better understanding of personalizing the available ADT options with their different risk-benefit profiles.

Any Correlation Between Prostate Volume and Incidence of Prostate Cancer: A Review of Reported Data for the Last Thirty Years.

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer in men worldwide and more than 80% of men with PCa also have histo-anatomical findings of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). It is well documented that BPH develops in the transition zone (TZ), whereas 80-85% of PCa originates in the peripheral zone (PZ) of the prostate. Possible causal links between both disease entities are controversially discussed in the current literature. Some studies have reported that larger prostates have a decreased incidence of PCa compared to smaller prostates. The purpose of this systematic review is to comprehensively summarize studies analyzing any association between prostate gland volume and incidence of PCa. METHODS: A thorough literature review was performed between 01.01.1990 through 02.28.2020 using PubMed and applying the "PRISMA" guidelines. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. RESULTS: Our systematic review found 41 articles reporting an inverse (negative) relationship between prostate gland volume and incidence of prostate cancer. Sample sizes ranged from 114 to 6692 patients in these single institutional and multi-institutional studies. Thirty-nine (95%) of the 41 articles showed a statistically significant inverse relationship. In our search, no study was found showing a positive correlation between BPH size and the incidence of PCa. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review on the important clinical question of interaction between prostate size and the incidence of PCa. The results are demonstrating an inverse relationship, and therefore reveal strong evidence that large prostates may be protective of PCa when compared to smaller prostates.

Possible clinical implications of prostate capsule thickness and glandular epithelial cell density in benign prostate hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: The negative correlation between BPH-size and incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) is well-documented in the literature, however the exact mechanism is not well-understood. The present study uses histo-anatomical imaging to study prostate volume in correlation to prostate capsule thickness, and glandular epithelial cell density within the peripheral zone (PZ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens were selected from radical prostatectomies ranging from 20 to 160 mL based on ease of anatomical reconstruction by the slides. A total of 60 patients were selected and underwent quantitative measurements of prostate capsule thickness and glandular epithelial density within the PZ using computer-based imaging software. Pearson's correlation and a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between these measured parameters and the clinical characteristic of these patients. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a strongly significant, negative correlation between prostate volume and glandular epithelial cell density (r(58)=-0.554, p<0.001), and a strongly significant, positive correlation between prostate volume and average capsule thickness (r(58)=0.462, p<0.001). Results of multiple regression analysis showed that average glandular epithelial cell density added statistically to this prediction (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that growth of the transition zone in BPH causes increased fibrosis of the PZ, leading to atrophy and fibrosis of glandular cells. As 80% of PCa originates from the glandular epithelium within the PZ, this observed phenomenon may explain the inverse correlation between BPH and PCa that is well-documented in the literature.

Association between prostate size and the incidence of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis and review for urologists and clinicians.

PURPOSE: To review the literature regarding any clinically significant association between prostate size and the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa). No previous review or meta-analysis has reported this clinical question. METHODS: A thorough literature review was performed using PubMed and applying the 'PRISMA' guidelines. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. RESULTS: A total of 30 articles met the search criteria. Of these 30 articles, 27 reported an inverse correlation between prostate volume (PV) and incidence of biopsy-proven PCa. The remaining three articles provided no clear statistically significant results, and there was no study showing a direct or positive correlation between PV and the incidence of PCa. CONCLUSION: This review and meta-analysis is the first report summarizing the literature on the clinical question of whether prostate size affects the incidence of PCa. Ninety percent of studies (27/30) show significant evidence supporting the hypothesis that prostate size may be protective of PCa. This review and the outlined discussion should encourage other clinical investigators to explore the relationship between PV and the incidence and aggressiveness of PCa. If future studies should confirm the hypothesis of the dynamic interactions between the different prostatic zones in a growing prostate, it will have relevant clinical implications on the management of BPH and PCa.

Quantitative measurements of prostatic zones by MRI and their dependence on prostate size: possible clinical implications in prostate cancer.

AIM: Many studies support an inverse relationship between benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) size and incidence of prostate cancer (PCa), but the causal link between these conditions is poorly understood. Recent studies suggest that a growing transition zone (TZ) in the prostate may induce pressure on the outer peripheral zone (PZ), leading to atrophy of the glandular tissue where PCa often originates, providing a possible explanation for this interaction. To further investigate this phenomenon, our pilot study uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine quantitative zonal changes in a consecutive cohort of prostates. METHODS: MRI scans of male patients [n = 204, 61.57 ± 13.90 years, average body mass index (BMI) 29.05 kg/m2] with various prostate sizes were analyzed statistically to identify possible associations between prostate parameters, such as total prostate volume (TPV) and peripheral zone thickness (PZT). RESULTS: TPV and PZT demonstrated a weak, inverse correlation (r = -0.21, p = 0.002). However, when examining the plotted data, the relationship between TPV and PZT was significantly different when the cohort was divided into two groups; lower TPV: ⩽87.5 ml (n = 188, TPV x- = 36.01 ± 18.18 ml), and higher TPV: >87.5 ml (n = 17, TPV x- = 125.69 ± 41.13 ml). Average PZT differed significantly between these groups (z = -3.5554, p = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: PZT was significantly different for patients with lower versus higher TPVs, suggesting that, above a certain point of BPH growth, the PZ is unable to withstand pressure from an expanding TZ, supporting the notion that growing BPH causes compression of the PZ glandular tissue, and, therefore, BPH may be protective against PCa.

Use of Antimicrobial-Coated Catheters in Preventing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections and Bacteriuria: A Meta-Analysis for Clinicians.

INTRODUCTION: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections comprise a significant burden to the health care system and are of major concern for indwelling catheter use. Catheter coatings have been studied for their potential to reduce risk of infection. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to determine the efficacy of coated catheters across clinical studies in preventing these common nosocomial infections. METHODS: Searches were conducted on PubMed Central® and ScienceDirect using the terms "catheter," "urinary tract infection" and "coated" or "antimicrobial." Articles included were prospective randomized clinical studies of coated (experimental) vs uncoated (control) catheters published in English between the years 2000 and 2020. Results from included studies were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Tested urinary catheter coatings include silver, silver salt, nitrofurazone and metal-alloy. Conditional logistic regression (p <0.001) shows statistically significant negative association between coated catheter use and the incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The odds ratio of 0.80 and 95% confidence interval (0.74, 0.88) support protective effect of catheter coatings. CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analysis demonstrates a negative association of coated catheter and incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections, supporting that antimicrobial catheter coatings decreases incidence of infection across studies. Further clinical research is recommended to determine the potential for catheter coating adoption in clinical practice to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infection risk and incidence.

Quantitative measurements of prostate capsule and gland density and their correlation to prostate size: possible clinical implications in prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: To study histo-anatomical imaging features and possible association between prostate volume, capsule thickness and glandular density within the peripheral zone (PZ) of prostates of different sizes. METHODS: Patients were selected who had undergone radical prostatectomy. Specimen selection was based on two factors: first, easy reconstruction of prostate anatomy by the histological slides; and second, based on prostate size. Specimens were chosen with small (< 35 cc) and also with large size (> 80 cc). A total of 20 patients were selected. None of these patients had undergone previous treatment. Computer-based imaging for quantitative measurements of capsule thickness and glandular density within the PZ were performed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between these measured parameters and the clinical characteristics of these patients. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed a strong, positive association between prostate size and average capsule thickness; on the contrary, we found a negative correlation between prostate volume and average glandular density. Fibrotic thickness of the capsule was associated with gland atrophy and decreased gland density within the PZ. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that BPH may be associated with the development of fibrosis and gland atrophy within the peripheral zone. As 80% of prostate cancer originates from the glandular epithelium within the peripheral zone, this observed phenomenon may explain the inverse relationship between BPH and incidence of prostate cancer well documented in the literature.

Review of New Implantable Tibial Nerve Stimulators in Comparison to Established Third Line Treatment Modalities for Nonneurogenic Overactive Bladder.

INTRODUCTION: New technologies are currently evolving in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome, giving physicians and patients additional options when conservative care fails to resolve symptoms. The purpose of this review is to compare the prospective clinical data of the new small implantable devices stimulating the tibial nerve to recent prospective clinical studies of sacral nerve stimulation, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and botulinum toxin injection, which are currently the most established third line treatment modalities in overactive bladder syndrome. METHODS: A literature search on PubMed®/MEDLINE® was performed for new technologies in neuromodulation to improve overactive bladder syndrome. Additionally, a search was performed for all currently established third line treatment options for comparison of treatment results. The reported prospective clinical data were statistically compared using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Two new small implantable devices that stimulate the tibial nerve have been reported over the recent years, BlueWind RENOVA™ and eCoin™. These new implantable devices that stimulate the tibial nerve show very comparable 3-month and 6-month clinical success rates regarding reduction of urinary incontinence episodes when compared to well-established treatment options such as sacral nerve stimulation, percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and botulinum toxin injections. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 new small implantable devices stimulating the tibial nerve, BlueWind RENOVA and eCoin, show promising clinical results. Both devices are currently undergoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and 1-year followup data should soon be available. Still more clinical data with larger patient cohorts and multicenter studies are necessary to verify the therapeutic efficacy of these new small implantable devices. If confirmed these new small implantable neuromodulation devices may become well-established in the treatment of patients with overactive bladder syndrome.

Possible clinical implications of peripheral zone changes depending on prostate size.

PURPOSE: Although numerous studies have observed an inverse relationship between the size of benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa), few studies have explored specific mechanisms by which BPH and PCa may influence one another. In a recent study, one possibility has been brought up that growth in the transition zone due to BPH may cause pressure-induced fibrotic changes in the peripheral zone, an area where 80% of cancer occurs, leading to gland atrophy and the thickening of the prostatic capsule. To shed more light on this phenomenon, we conducted a pilot study examining the quantitative and qualitative histo-anatomical changes that occur in the peripheral zone associated with BPH. METHODS: Thirty-nine prostate specimens of various sizes were selected from patients who had undergone radical prostatectomies. Each prostate was evaluated in six different locations along the dorsal aspect of the peripheral zone by measuring the thickness of the peripheral fibrotic zone (prostate capsule) and its association with gland atrophy. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between prostate size and the average thickness of the prostate capsule. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed a strong, positive relationship between prostate size and average capsule thickness with a Pearson coefficient of 0.707 (p < 0.05). Fibrotic histo-anatomical changes were spatially associated with gland atrophy: glands found within the peripheral fibrotic zone appeared elongated and atrophic. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that BPH may be associated with the development of fibrotic material and atrophy of glands within the peripheral zone. Because this atrophy involves glands where 80% of prostate cancer originates, this potentially explains the inverse relationship between PCa and BPH.

Histological changes of the peripheral zone in small and large prostates and possible clinical implications.

INTRODUCTION: It is well documented in literature that most prostate carcinomas (PCa) arise in the peripheral zone (PZ). Additionally, an inverse relationship between prostate size and the incidence of PCa has been demonstrated in recent studies. However, little is known about gland distribution in the peripheral zone of larger prostates compared to smaller prostates. In this study, we examined the histo-anatomical gland distribution within the peripheral zone in small and large prostates and discuss possible clinical implications. METHODS: A semi-quantitative analysis of gland density and capsule thickness was performed using light microscopy on 10 large (≥80 g) prostate specimens and 10 small (<30 g) prostate specimens from patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center between the years 2010 and 2016. Samples from radical prostatectomies were used to ensure a whole, preserved prostate with an intact surgical capsule. Gland counts were performed on five random fields under 100 × magnification, while capsule thickness was measured on three random fields per case; thus, a total 50 fields and 30 fields were analyzed for each of the two groups for gland counts and capsule thickness measurements, respectively. Microscopy was standardized to the posterior aspect of the prostate, between 4 o'clock and 6 o'clock along the equatorial region between the apex and base. RESULTS: Large prostates possessed a significantly lower mean gland count per field compared to small prostates (10.34±4.15, n=50 vs 18.00±5.41, n=50; t=8.16, df=49, P<0.001). Additionally, large prostates showed a significantly higher average capsule thickness in millimeters compared to small prostates (1.80 mm, ±1.12 mm, n=30 vs 0.90 mm, ±0.56, n=30; t=8.16, df=49, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that prostate hypertrophy leads to both decreased gland density in the peripheral zone and increased capsule thickness, suggesting that growth-induced expansion of the prostate against its capsule leads to compression-induced atrophy and fibrosis of glandular tissue within the peripheral zone (PZ). A decrease in gland density within the PZ may have clinical implications shedding light, for instance, on the reduction in PCa incidence in patients with large prostates as compared to smaller prostates, a phenomenon well documented in the literature.

Patients Willing to Wait: Arrival Time, Wait Time and Patient Satisfaction in an Ambulatory Urology Clinic.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the relationship of patient satisfaction to arrival and wait times. We also sought to determine factors that patients considered important to the visit experience. METHODS: A total of 361 participants completed a survey in clinic to record wait times in various areas of the clinic and then rate satisfaction levels with these times and with the care received. A total of 211 participants ranked 6 factors related to the patient experience in the order considered important. RESULTS: Early, on time and late arriving patients spent 26.0, 15.5 and 17.1 minutes in the waiting room and had a total visit duration of 82.5, 67.9 and 72.0 minutes, respectively. Significant differences existed between these times when the early group was compared with the on time and late groups. Early patients were significantly more satisfied with wait time in the waiting room and total clinic visit time compared to late patients. Receiving treatment or relief from a medical problem was the most important factor valued by this population. CONCLUSIONS: Surprisingly, patients with longer waits were more satisfied with the time in the waiting room and overall visit duration, indicating that other variables influence patient satisfaction with perceived wait times. This study provides evidence that wait time might not be as important to patients or impact patient satisfaction as previously thought. On average wait time was ranked fifth in regard to what was important. Longer wait times did not seem to impact patient satisfaction when asked about overall satisfaction with the care received.