Disparities in the Delivery of Prostate Cancer Survivorship Care in the USA: A Claims-based Analysis of Urinary Adverse Events and Erectile Dysfunction Among Prostate Cancer Survivors.

Background and objective: Incidence rates for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and mortality are higher for Black men. It is unknown whether similar disparities exist in survivorship care. We assessed the delivery and quality of survivorship care for Black men undergoing PCa therapy in terms of the burden of and treatment for urinary adverse events (UAEs) and erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods: We queried Optum Clinformatics data for all patients diagnosed with PCa from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2017 and identified those who underwent primary PCa treatment. Index cohorts were identified in each year and followed longitudinally until 2017. Data for UAE diagnoses, UAE treatments, and ED treatments were analyzed in index cohorts. Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to examine associations of race with UAE diagnosis, UAE treatment, and ED treatment. Key findings and limitations: We identified 146, 216 patients with a PCa diagnosis during the study period, of whom 55, 149 underwent primary PCa treatment. In the primary treatment group, 32.7% developed a UAE and 28.2% underwent UAE treatment. The most common UAEs were urinary incontinence (11%), ureteral obstruction/stricture (4.5%), bladder neck contracture (4.5%), and urethral stricture (3.7%). The most common UAE treatments were cystoscopy (13%), suprapubic tube placement (6%), and urethral dilation (5%). Overall, UAE diagnosis rates were higher for Black patients, who had significantly higher risk of urethral obstruction, rectourethral fistula, urinary incontinence, cystitis, urinary obstruction, and ureteral fistula. Overall, UAE treatment rates were lower for Black patients, who had significantly higher risk of fecal diversion and/or rectourethral fistula repair (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-2.79). Regarding ED treatments, Black patients had higher risk of penile prosthesis placement (aHR 1.591, 95% CI 1.26-2.00) and intracavernosal injection (aHR 1.215, 95% CI 1.08-1.37). Conclusions and clinical implications: Despite a high UAE burden, treatment rates were low in a cohort with health insurance. Black patients had a higher UAE burden and lower UAE treatment rates. Multilevel interventions are needed to address this stark disparity. ED treatment rates were higher for Black patients. Patient summary: We reviewed data for patients treated for prostate cancer (PCa) and found that 32.7% were diagnosed with a urinary adverse event (UAE) following their PCa treatment. The overall treatment rate for these UAEs was 28.2%. Analysis by race showed that the UAE diagnosis rate was higher for Black patients, who were also more likely to receive treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Prevalence and predictors of female sexual dysfunction among sexually active women in the diabetes prevention program outcomes study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the burden and identify correlates of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) among women with prediabetes (PreD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Outcomes Study (DPPOS). METHODS: The DPPOS visit included the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to determine sexual function. Of 1464 participants, 1320 (90%) completed the (FSFI) and 426 were sexually active. A backward selection multivariable logistic regression model estimated the odds of FSD for sociodemographic, clinical, and diabetes-related covariates. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-five (43%) had a score of ≤26.55 and met the criteria for FSD. After adjustment for DPP treatment and age, urinary incontinence (UI) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15-3.17) and hysterectomy (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.01-3.53) were associated with increased odds of FSD. Increased body mass index was protective for FSD (OR = 0.93 per kg/m2, 95% CI = 0.89-0.96). Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument-based peripheral neuropathy (mean±SD scores 1.1±1.3 vs. 0.9±1.1, p < 0.0001) and Electrocardiogram (ECG)-based autonomic dysfunction measures (mean ± SD heart rate levels 64.3 ± 6.8 vs. 65.6 ± 10.2, p = 0.008) were associated with FSD. There were no differences in diabetes rates between women who did (66.5%) and did not (66%) have (p = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: FSD is prevalent in women with PreD and T2D. Our findings suggest that FSD is associated with neuropathic complications commonly observed in PreD and T2D.

Patient and physician decision-making dynamics in overactive bladder care: A mixed methods study.

AIMS: Overactive bladder management includes multiple therapeutic options with comparable efficacy but a range of administration modalities and side effects, creating an ideal setting for shared decision-making. This study investigates patient and physician health beliefs surrounding decision-making and expectations for overactive bladder with the aim of better understanding and ultimately improving decision-making in overactive bladder care. METHODS: Patient and physician participants completed a questionnaire followed by a semi-structured interview to assess health beliefs surrounding decision making and expectations for overactive bladder treatment. The semi-structured interview guide, developed in an iterative fashion by the authors, probed qualities of overactive bladder therapies patients and physicians valued, their process of treatment selection, and their experiences with therapies. RESULTS: Patients (n = 20) frequently cited treatment invasiveness, efficacy, and safety as the most important qualities that influenced their decision when selecting overactive bladder therapy. Physicians (n = 12) frequently cited safety/contraindications, convenience, cost/insurance, and patient preference as the most important qualities. In our integration analysis, we identified four key themes associated with decision making in overactive bladder care: frustration with inaccessibility of overactive bladder treatments, discordant perception of patient education, diverging acceptability of expected outcomes, and lack of insight into other parties' decisional priorities and control preferences. CONCLUSIONS: While both patients and physicians desire to engage in a shared decision-making process when selecting therapies for overactive bladder, this process is challenged by significant divergence between patient and physician viewpoint across key domains.

Poor Glycemic Control Increases Dental Risk in a Sri Lankan Population.

Introduction: The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of diabetes-related factors on the dental disease outcomes of diabetes patients in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. Materials and Methods: Dental data were collected from 80 type-2-diabetic individuals. A dental risk score was calculated based on the frequency of dental outcomes observed and categorized as low risk (≤3 dental outcomes) and high risk (>3 dental outcomes). Results: In this cohort of men and women with type 2 diabetes, there was a high frequency of periodontal related outcomes, including missing teeth (70%), gingival recessions (40%), tooth mobility (41%), and bleeding (20%). Thirty-nine (39%) of participants had high dental risk, while forty-nine (61%) had low risk. Conclusions: After controlling for age, participants with higher capillary blood glucose levels had 3-fold greater odds of a high dental risk score (OR = 2.93, 95%CI = 1.13, 7.61). We found that poor glycemic control indicated by elevated capillary blood glucose was associated with increased dental risk.

Prevalence and predictors of erectile dysfunction among men in the diabetes prevention program outcomes study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine burden and identify correlates of erectile dysfunction (ED) among men with prediabetes (PreD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Outcomes Study (DPPOS). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The 2017 DPPOS visit included administration of the International Index of Erectile Function. Of 648 male participants, 88 % (n = 568) completed the survey. Associations between sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, and glycemic measures at time of ED assessment, and ED were examined using multivariable logistic regression models in men with PreD and T2D separately. RESULTS: Overall, 218 (38 %) men met ED criteria. Prevalence was similar in men with PreD (41 %) and T2D (37 %) (p = 0.4). In all men, age (p < 0.001) increased odds of ED. Among men with PreD, those assigned to intensive lifestyle intervention (ILS), but not metformin, had decreased odds of ED compared with the placebo group (OR = 0.35, 95 % CI = 0.13, 0.94). Non-Hispanic White race was associated with increased odds of ED compared with other races (OR = 4.3; 95 % CI = 1.92, 9.65). Among men with T2D, ED risk did not differ by DPP treatment assignment; however, individuals with metabolic syndrome defined by National Cholesterol Education Program criteria, had increased odds of ED (OR = 1.85, 95 % CI = 1.14, 3.01), as did individuals with depression (OR = 2.05; 95 % CI = 1.10, 3.79). CONCLUSIONS: ED is prevalent in men with PreD and T2D. Our finding of reduced odds of ED in men randomized to ILS and with PreD suggests a potential opportunity for risk mitigation in the prediabetes interval. In men who have progressed to T2D, metabolic factors appear to be associated with ED.

Relationships Between Urinary and Nonurinary Symptoms in Treatment-Seeking Women in LURN.

IMPORTANCE: Physical health and psychological health represent modifiable factors in the causal pathway of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). OBJECTIVES: Understand the relationship between physical and psychological factors and LUTS over time. STUDY DESIGN: Adult women enrolled in the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network observational cohort study completed the LUTS Tool and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, including urinary (Urinary Distress Inventory), prolapse (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory), and colorectal anal (Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory) subscales at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. Physical functioning, depression, and sleep disturbance were measured using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) questionnaires; relationships were assessed using multivariable linear mixed models. RESULTS: Of 545 women enrolled, 472 had follow-up. Median age was 57 years; 61% and 78% reported stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder, respectively; and 81% reported obstructive symptoms. The PROMIS depression scores were positively associated with all urinary outcomes (range, 2.5- to 4.8-unit increase per 10-unit increase in depression score; P < 0.01 for all). Higher sleep disturbance scores were associated with higher urgency, obstruction, LUTS Total Severity, Urinary Distress Inventory, and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (1.9- to 3.4-point increase per 10-unit increase, all P < 0.02). Better physical functioning was associated with less severe urinary symptoms except stress urinary incontinence (2.3- to 5.2-point decrease per 10-unit increase, all P < 0.01). All symptoms decreased over time; however, no association was detected between baseline PROMIS scores and trajectories of LUTS over time. CONCLUSIONS: Nonurologic factors demonstrated small to medium cross-sectional associations with urinary symptom domains, but no significant association was detected with changes in LUTS. Further work is needed to determine whether interventions targeting nonurologic factors reduce LUTS in women.

Urinary symptoms and female sexual dysfunction in women with type 1 diabetes: the role of depression.

BACKGROUND: Some reports suggest that women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a greater burden of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) than women without T1D, but the etiology of this elevated risk is poorly understood. AIM: To examine the associations between FSD and urinary incontinence/lower urinary tract symptoms (UI/LUTS) in women with T1D and to evaluate how depression may mediate these relationships. METHODS: LUTS and UI symptoms were assessed in women with T1D who participated in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated associations between FSD and UI/LUTS (overall and specific domains) and the impact of depression on these associations. OUTCOMES: FSD was measured with the Female Sexual Function Index-Reduced. RESULTS: In total, 499 self-reported sexually active women completed validated assessments of sexual and urinary function (mean ± SD age, 47.7 ± 7.6 years; T1D duration, 23.4 ± 5.15 years). FSD was reported in 232 (46%) responders. The frequency of UI and LUTS was 125 (25.1%) and 96 (19.2%), respectively. Neither UI nor its subcategories (urge, stress) were associated with FSD. Although LUTS (odds ratio [OR], 1.75; 95% CI, 1.09-2.77) and its symptoms of urgency (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.09-3.61) and incomplete emptying (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.23-4.85) were associated with FSD, these associations were attenuated following adjustment for depression and antidepressant medication use. Depression indicators were independently associated with FSD overall and across domains. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The complex interplay of voiding dysfunction, mental health, and sexual function warrants further investigation to understand the potential implications for patient assessment, goal setting, treatment, and care planning. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Data are from a prospective study of individuals with T1D. These results are unable to explore cause-and-effect relationships among LUTS, UI, depression, and FSD. The sample may not be representative of the general population of women with T1D. Because participants in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study are mostly White, generalizing the findings to other races and to type 2 diabetes may not be appropriate. While exclusion of sexually inactive women likely biases our findings toward the null, this design element permitted study of LUTS and UI in relation to aspects of FSD, the primary objective of this study. CONCLUSIONS: The significant associations between LUTS/UI and FSD among middle-aged women with T1D were greatly attenuated when depression was considered a mediating factor.

What Is a Normal Testosterone Level for Young Men? Rethinking the 300 ng/dL Cutoff for Testosterone Deficiency in Men 20-44 Years Old.

PURPOSE: There is an age-related decline in male testosterone production. It is therefore surprising that young men are evaluated for testosterone deficiency with the same cutoff of 300 ng/dL that was developed from samples of older men. Our aim is to describe normative total testosterone levels and age-specific cutoffs for low testosterone levels in men 20 to 44 years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which survey nationally representative samples of United States residents. Men 20 to 44 years old with testosterone levels were included. Men on hormonal medications, with a history of testicular cancer or orchiectomy, and with afternoon/evening laboratory values were excluded. We separated men into 5-year intervals and evaluated the testosterone levels of each age group, and for all men 20 to 44 years old. We used the American Urological Association definition of a "normal testosterone level" (the "middle tertile") to calculate age-specific cutoffs for low testosterone levels. RESULTS: Our final analytic cohort contained 1,486 men. Age-specific middle tertile levels were 409-558 ng/dL (20-24 years old), 413-575 ng/dL (25-29 years old), 359-498 ng/dL (30-34 years old), 352-478 ng/dL (35-39 years old), and 350-473 ng/dL (40-44 years old). Age-specific cutoffs for low testosterone levels were 409, 413, 359, 352, and 350 ng/dL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of testosterone deficiency has traditionally been performed in an age-indiscriminate manner. However, young men have different testosterone reference ranges than older men. Accordingly, age-specific normative values and cutoffs should be integrated into the evaluation of young men presenting with testosterone deficiency.

Urologic complications in diabetes.

Urologic complications such as bladder and sexual dysfunction among men and women with diabetes have received relatively little attention. This is despite emerging evidence that demonstrates that urologic complications increase with age in the general population and are more common in individuals with diabetes compared to those without diabetes. Here we summarize the latest information about the epidemiology of urologic complications in the setting of diabetes and the most recent findings regarding pathophysiology. In addition, we identify knowledge gaps and need for future funding to address these gaps that will reduce the burden of urologic complications in diabetes and optimize quality of life for all individuals affected by it.

Impact of Sleep Disturbance, Physical Function, Depression and Anxiety on Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Results from the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN).

PURPOSE: The impact of nonurological factors on male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) remains unclear. We investigated cross-sectional and longitudinal associations among anxiety, depression, physical function, sleep quality and urinary symptom subdomains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 518 men in the LURN (Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network) study were analyzed to identify associations between Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance and physical function measures and LUTS subdomains, as derived from the American Urological Association Symptom Index and LUTS Tool. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the relationships between PROMIS measures and LUTS subdomains at baseline and at 3- and 12-month followup. RESULTS: Baseline depression and anxiety were associated with urinary incontinence (p <0.001), voiding symptoms (p <0.001) and quality of life (p=0.002), whereas baseline sleep disturbance was associated with voiding and storage symptoms and quality of life (p <0.001 for all). Urinary symptom severity improved in all subdomains at 3 and 12 months. Similar associations between PROMIS measures and LUTS subdomains were observed at all time points, but baseline depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance and physical function measures were not associated with longitudinal trajectories of LUTS. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary symptom subdomains are independently associated with modifiable clinical variables including sleep quality and depression at all time points, but these variables do not predict the degree of improvement in LUTS following urological evaluation and treatment over the medium term. Bidirectional assessment and randomized experiments may improve our understanding of these relationships.

Type 1 diabetes and oral health: Findings from the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe long-term oral health outcomes and examine associations between sociodemographic factors, clinical characteristics, and markers of diabetes control on tooth loss in participants with type 1 diabetes enrolled in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Oral health outcomes related to tooth loss were reported at annual visits during EDIC years 22-26 (2015-2019). Generalized estimating equation models were used to assess the association of individual risk factors and tooth loss, over repeated time points. RESULTS: A total of 165 (17%) participants with type 1 diabetes reported 221 oral health outcomes related to tooth loss over a five-year period. After controlling for age and current tobacco use, the presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was significantly associated with an increased odds of tooth loss (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.24, 2.87) while higher mean HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio was significantly associated with a decreased odds of tooth loss (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.79, 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that diabetes-related complications, either resulting from or independent of poor glycemia, may be directly associated with oral health conditions, and support the need for individuals with type 1 diabetes and providers to implement lifestyle and medical interventions to reduce oral health risks.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Urological Complications in Type 1 Diabetes: Findings From the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and urological complications in men and women with type 1 diabetes (T1D). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Measurements of DPN at Epidemiology of Diabetes Intervention and Complications (EDIC) years 1, 14, and 17 and urological complications at EDIC year 17 were examined in 635 men (mean age 51.6 years, diabetes duration 29.5 years) and 371 women (mean age 50.6 years, diabetes duration 29.8 years) enrolled in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/EDIC study. DPN was defined by symptoms, signs, and abnormal electrophysiology or by abnormal Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) examination or questionnaire scores. RESULTS: Erectile dysfunction (ED) in combination with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) was reported in 15% of men and female sexual dysfunction (FSD), LUTS, and urinary incontinence (UI) in 16% of women. Adjusted for age, drinking status, BMI, depression, DCCT/EDIC time-weighted mean HbA1c, microalbuminuria, hypertension, triglycerides, and statin medication use, the odds of reporting ED and LUTS versus no ED or LUTS at EDIC year 17 were 3.52 (95% CI 1.69, 7.31) times greater in men with confirmed DPN at EDIC year 13/14 compared to men without confirmed DPN. Compared to men without DPN, men with DPN based on abnormal MNSI examination or questionnaire scores had significantly higher odds of reporting ED and LUTS versus no ED or LUTS at EDIC year 17. There were no significant differences in DPN between women reporting both FSD and LUTS/UI compared with those without FSD or LUTS/UI at EDIC year 17. CONCLUSIONS: In long-standing T1D, DPN is associated with the later development of urological complications in men.

Longitudinal patterns of urinary incontinence and associated predictors in women with type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: Urinary incontinence (UI) in women is a dynamic condition with numerous risk factors yet most studies have focused on examining its prevalence at a single time. The objective of this study was to describe the long-term time course of UI in women with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: Longitudinal data in women with T1D were collected from 568 women in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study, the observational follow-up of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) cohort. Over a 12-year period, participants annually responded to whether they had experienced UI in the past year. RESULTS: We identified four categories of UI in this population over time: 205 (36.1%) women never reported UI (no UI), 70 (12.3%) reported it one or two consecutive years only (isolated UI), 247 (43.5%) periodically changed status between UI and no UI (intermittent UI), and 46 (8.1%) reported UI continuously after the first report (persistent UI). Compared to women reporting no/isolated UI, women displaying the intermittent phenotype were significantly more likely to be obese (OR: 1.86, 95% CI 1.15, 3.00) and report prior hysterectomy (OR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.39, 4.77); whereas women with persistent UI were significantly more likely to have abnormal autonomic function (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.16-4.80). CONCLUSIONS: UI is a dynamic condition in women with T1D. Varying risk factors observed for the different phenotypes of UI suggest distinctive pathophysiological mechanisms. These findings have the potential to be used to guide individualized interventions for UI in women with diabetes.

Association of Urinary MyProstateScore, Age, and Prostate Volume in a Longitudinal Cohort of Healthy Men: Long-term Findings from the Olmsted County Study.

BACKGROUND: Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), used in prostate cancer screening, is nonspecific for cancer and is affected by age and prostate volume. More specific biomarkers could be more accurate for early detection of prostate cancer and reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of age and prostate volume with urinary MyProstateScore (MPS) in a screened, longitudinal cohort without evidence of prostate cancer. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The Olmsted County Study included men aged 40-79 yr who underwent biennial prostate cancer screening. PSA ≥4.0 ng/ml or abnormal rectal examination triggered prostate biopsy, and patients with cancer were excluded. The remaining men submitted urinary specimens for PCA3 and TMPRSS2:ERG testing. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: MPS was calculated using the validated, locked model for grade group ≥2 cancer that includes serum PSA, urinary PCA3, and urinary TMPRSS2:ERG. The associations of age and volume with biomarkers were assessed in multivariable regression models. The t statistic was used to quantify the strength of associations independent of the unit of measurement, and R 2 values were used to estimate the proportion of biomarker variance explained by each factor. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The study included 314 screened men without evidence of cancer. In multivariable models including age and volume, PCA3 score was significantly associated with age (t = 7.51; p < 0.001), while T2:ERG score was not associated with age or volume. MPS was significantly associated with both age (t = 7.45; p < 0.001) and volume (t = 3.56; p < 0.001), but accounting for age alone explained the variability observed (R 2 = 0.29) in a similar way to the model including age and volume (R 2 = 0.31). The variability of PCA3, T2:ERG, and MPS was less dependent on age and volume than the variability for PSA (R 2 = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of longitudinally screened men without evidence of cancer, we found that MPS demonstrated less variability with noncancer factors (age, prostate volume) than PSA did. These findings support the biology of these markers as more cancer-specific than PSA and highlight their promise in reducing the morbidity associated with PSA-based screening. PATIENT SUMMARY: In a group of men with no evidence of prostate cancer, we found that each of three urine-based markers of cancer-PCA3, T2:ERG, and the commercially available MyProstateScore test-showed less variability with noncancer factors (age and prostate volume) than serum PSA (prostate-specific antigen) did. These findings support their proposed use as noninvasive markers of prostate cancer that could improve the accuracy of early detection.

Risk factors for orgasmic and concomitant erectile dysfunction in men with type 1 diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

In this study, we sought to determine the burden and characteristics of orgasmic dysfunction (OD) and concomitant erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with type 1 diabetes (T1D) enrolled in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study. In 2010, we assessed orgasmic and erectile function using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Sociodemographic, clinical, and diabetes characteristics were compared by OD status (OD only, OD and ED, no ED or OD). Age-adjusted associations between risk factors and OD status were examined. OD and ED information was available from 563 men. Eighty-three men (14.7%) reported OD of whom 21 reported OD only and 62 reported OD and ED. Age-adjusted odds ratios demonstrated that men who reported OD only had higher odds of depression, low sexual desire, and decreased alcohol use compared with men reporting no dysfunction. Men with OD concomitant with ED had greater odds of elevated hemoglobin A1C, peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, and nephropathy. Men reporting both dysfunctions were also more likely to report smoking, lower urinary tract symptoms, and had greater odds of androgen deficiency than men with no sexual dysfunction. Men with longstanding T1D suffer from an increased burden of OD. Psychogenic factors predominate in men reporting OD only while men who present with concomitant ED report increased burden of diabetes severity, characteristics previously observed with incident ED. ED may be the central impediment to sexual function in men with OD and ED. Longitudinal studies to characterize OD and ED experience over time are warranted.

Trends in Procedures to Initiate Renal Replacement Therapy among People Living with Spina Bifida.

PURPOSE: Given the increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease in people with spina bifida, we sought to determine if this is associated with an increase in end stage kidney disease. We examined population based data to measure the frequency of procedures to establish renal replacement therapy-a marker for end stage kidney disease-among patients with spina bifida. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database and State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Database from Florida, Kentucky, Maryland and New York (2000 to 2014), which include encounter level data. With a diagnosis code based algorithm we identified all procedural encounters made by patients with spina bifida. We determined the percentage of these encounters that were for facilitating renal replacement therapy (ie arteriovenous anastomosis, renal transplantation). We assessed for changes over time in this percentage with the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Bivariate analysis was performed using chi-square test. RESULTS: Of all procedures performed on patients with spina bifida over this time the proportion of procedures performed to establish renal replacement therapy significantly decreased in both the inpatient and outpatient settings (p=0.042 and p <0.001, respectively). People with spina bifida undergoing procedures to establish renal replacement therapy were, on average, young adults (mean age 34.5 and 36.0 years) with a high prevalence hypertension (75.8% of inpatients, 68.6% of outpatients). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of surgeries to initiate renal replacement therapy among people with spina bifida undergoing procedures is low and is not increasing. This highlights the importance of consistent care throughout adolescence and young adulthood, and hypertension screening.

Autonomic neuropathy and urologic complications in diabetes.

Diabetic autonomic neuropathy affects the entire autonomic nervous system and can lead to dysfunction of the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary organ systems. Genitourinary dysfunction associated with diabetic autonomic neuropathy includes diabetic bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Urological complications in diabetes mellitus are very common; in fact, genitourinary complications are more common than diabetic neuropathy or nephropathy. While several studies have reported on genitourinary dysfunction in individuals with diabetes, UroEDIC, an ancillary study to the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and its observational follow up, the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study (EDIC), comprehensively characterized the association between urologic complications and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy. UroEDIC demonstrated significant associations between autonomic neuropathy and urologic complications in type 1 diabetes, specifically erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, and lower urinary tract symptoms. In this narrative review, we review the current literature on urological complications in diabetes.

Relationship of symptom severity and bother in individuals seeking care for lower urinary tract symptoms.

AIMS: Bother attributed to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) drives care-seeking and treatment aggressiveness. The longitudinal relationship of LUTS severity and bother in a care-seeking cohort, however, is not well understood. We aim to conduct a longitudinal evaluation of LUTS severity and bother and identify characteristics of patients with discordant LUTS bother relative to severity. METHODS: Men and women with LUTS seeking care at six US tertiary care centers enrolled in the symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction research network study. Patients reporting at least one urinary symptom based on the LUTS Tool were prospectively enrolled from June 2015 to January 2017. Correlations were used to assess the relationship between LUTS severity and bother. Discordance scores (ie, the difference between bother and severity) were used to classify patients with high and low bother. Patients were classified as having high or low bother phenotypes if scores were one standard deviation above or below zero, respectively. Repeated measures multinomial logistic regression evaluated characteristics associated with high and low bother phenotypes. RESULTS: LUTS severity and bother were at least moderately correlated for all symptom items and highly correlated for 13 out of 21 items. Correlations were highest for urgency, and lowest for daytime frequency and urinary incontinence. Odds of being in high bother phenotype were lowest at 3 and 12 months (3 months vs baseline odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95% confidence ninterval [CI] = 0.54-0.94; 12 months vs baseline OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.48-0.91), and highest for those who endorsed all urgency questions (OR = 3.65, 95% CI = 2.17-6.13). Odds of being in the low bother phenotype were lowest for patients who endorsed all urgency items (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.26-0.42), and all frequency items (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.53-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: LUTS severity and bother correlate highly and measurement of both in clinical practice is likely redundant. There are patient factors associated with discordance which may justify additional evaluation.

Characterizing the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Literature: A Bibliometric Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the current landscape and future directions of academic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by using bibliometric analysis. METHODS: We used the Web of Science Core Collection to conduct a bibliometric analysis of leading BPH articles. Bibliometric analyses are quantitative approaches examining the impact of academic literature. We used the following search terms and Boolean logic "("benign prostat*") AND (hyperplasia OR enlarg*)" and characterized the 100 most-cited BPH articles through 2018 including citations, journal, author, year, and country. RESULTS: The top 100 BPH articles were published between 1978 and 2012. Citations ranged from 153 to 2171 across 27 different journals, including 10 urology-specific journals. The Journal of Urology was the most published journal (n = 25), followed by European Urology (n = 17), and Urology (n = 15). In general, the oldest 10 articles focused on BPH etiology/pathogenesis, while the newest 10 focused on treatment. The 1990's was the most productive decade with nearly half of the top 100 articles (n = 44). Twenty-six different countries contributed to the top 100 articles, with the US (n = 74), Italy (n = 19), and Canada (n = 12) being the most common. CONCLUSION: This study represents the first bibliometric analysis of the leading BPH articles impacting the academic literature. The focus has evolved from BPH pathogenesis to treatment, perhaps reflecting a shift in research funding and capacity. These findings may guide research priorities for this increasingly common condition.