Patient experiences and perceptions of kidney stone surgery: what lessons can be learned from TikTok?

Introduction: The aim of this study was to perform an evaluation of patient experiences and perceptions regarding kidney stone surgery on the social media platform TikTok. An increasing number of the public use social media (SoMe) as a platform to share their views regarding their experiences related to surgical treatment. Methods: Using the hashtag #kidneystonesurgery, the 100 most recent video posts as of 01.01.2024 on TikTok were included. As well as demographic data such as gender and location, thematic content was also collected. To achieve this, a previously published framework was used and adapted for application in the setting of kidney stone surgery. This was piloted on 20 sample videos to assess its feasibility before revision and establishment of the final framework. This included the following key areas: Pain, Complications, Anxiety, Recovery, Return to work, Finances, Treatment delays, Diet and Prevention and stent complaints. Results: The majority of posts (95%) were from North America, 80% by females and the mean number of video views was 92,826 (range: 261-2,000,000). 76% of the videos discussed ureteroscopy (URS). 49% were filmed at the hospital, which was named in 9% of the videos. Top three topics discussed were: Recovery (65%), pain (62%) and stents (55%). This was followed by anxiety (39%) and complications (24%). 12% of these videos uploaded by lay people included basic medical information that was wholly incorrect. More than half of the posts (51%) were negative in tone. Treatment delays (5%) and a lack of sufficient preoperative information (4%) were also raised, that appeared to contribute to the negative reports. However, the main cause for negative tone owed to the 80% of the patients (n = 44) who discussed stents that focused their video on the pain suffered from the post operative stent. Conclusion: There is a high level of usership and engagement on TikTok on the subject of kidney stone surgery. The proportion of negative videos is high and much of this is related to the bothersome stent symptoms and complications. This could easily lead to misperceptions among potential patients about the true burden of such adverse events.

Current status of the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMSTM) for male stress urinary incontinence.

Male stress urinary incontinence is a debilitating condition, which can occur after prostate surgery. In persistent cases, surgery is indicated and a number of options are available. This includes one of the male slings, Adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMSTM, A.M.I, Austria). There are now an increasing number of studies published. This review provides an overview of the current status of this implant device including technical considerations, surgical outcomes and potential advantages and disadvantages compared to alternatives such as the artificial urinary sphincter.

Predictors for surgical treatment in male patients with non-neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify clinical and biochemical predictors for future surgical intervention in male LUTS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, parameters as International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and IPSS "bother question" (IPSS-BQ), prostate volume (PV), maximal urine flow (Qmax), Prostate specific antigen (PSA), post-voidal residual urine (PVR) were assessed alongside comorbidities quantified using Charlson Comorbidity Index without age adjustment and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score. For the statistical analysis, patients were categorized based on subsequent treatment approaches: Group 1: underwent surgery during follow-up; Group 2: received medical or no treatment. T-test was used to test differences between the groups. Logistic regression models were used to identify independent predictors of the need for future surgery. Following this analysis, we calculated the probability of requiring surgical intervention, with this likelihood being determined based on the accumulation of identified predictive factors. RESULTS: Of 63 patients, 22 underwent surgery over a median follow-up of 42 months. Significant baseline differences were observed in IPSS (p = 0.003), International Prostatic Symptom Score-Voiding subscore (IPSS-VS) (p = 0.002), IPSS-BQ (p = 0.001), Qmax (p = 0.007), and PVR (p = 0.02) between the groups. Higher IPSS-BQ, IPSS-VS, and lower Qmax are emerging as independent surgical treatment predictors in logistic regression analyses. CONCLUSION: The study identified IPSS-VS, IPSS-BQ, and Qmax as baseline predictors of future surgical intervention. A clear pattern of a gradual increase in the likelihood of requiring surgery was directly proportional to the cumulative number of these identified predictive factors.

Outcomes with the Adjustable Transobturator Male System (ATOMS) for the Treatment of Male Stress Urinary Incontinence After Prostate Surgery and the Impact of Previous Radiotherapy.

Background and objective: The adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS) is an established treatment for patients with urinary incontinence after prostate surgery. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and the complication burdens associated with ATOMS with a focus on exploring the potential impact on previous radiotherapy (RT). Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis for consecutive patients who underwent ATMOS implantation procedure at a tertiary center over an 11-yr study period. Outcomes of interest were dryness at 3-mo follow up, postoperative complications (≤30 d), and late treatment failures (>30 d). Key findings and limitations: A total of 118 patients underwent ATOMS surgery performed by five different surgeons. Median follow-up was 67 mo (interquartile range 41-95). The mean 24-h pad count after surgery was 1.1 (range 0-8) and the mean reduction in pad weight was 179 g (range 0-1080). There was no significant difference in the reduction in pad use between groups with and without RT (-1.7 vs -2.4; p = 0.13). Multivariable analysis revealed that RT, degree of incontinence, and age were not risk factors for reoperation. Conclusions and clinical implications: ATOMS implantation is feasible in patients who have undergone prostate RT and patients with severe stress urinary incontinence after prostate surgery. We found that RT was not a risk factor for reoperation and there was no significant difference in pad weight reduction by RT status. This study offers new insight into potential incontinence surgery for male patients with stress urinary incontinence and previous RT. Patient summary: We assessed outcomes for patients who had an ATOMS (adjustable transobturator male system) device implanted to control stress urinary incontinence after prostate surgery. After implantation, 52.5% of the patients reported zero leakage and 39.9% reported only mild incontinence. Our results show that this device can improve continence after prostate surgery and is also suitable in patients who underwent radiotherapy.

Temperature Measurements During Flexible Ureteroscopic Laser Lithotripsy: A Prospective Clinical Trial.

Objective: The primary aim of the study was to explore intrarenal temperatures (IRTs) during flexible ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (FURSL). The secondary aim was to investigate the correlation between temperatures and renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter (APD). Materials and Methods: From February 2023 to June 2023, 10 patients with an indwelling nephrostomy tube (NT) undergoing FURSL were enrolled in the study. Sheathless FURSL was performed using gravitational irrigation (23°C) at 60 cm. A sterile K-type thermocouple was inserted through the NT. Temperatures were recorded for 120 seconds with continuous laser activation and for another 60 seconds after deactivation. Thulium fiber laser delivered energy using a 150 µm fiber and incremental power settings of 5, 10, 20, and 30 W. The laser was deactivated whenever the IRT reached 43°C. Results: IRT correlated directly to power settings. Each time the power settings were increased, the temperature rose significantly. The increase in average peak temperature was 2.6°C between 5 and 10 W (p < 0.001), 3.4°C between 10 and 20 W (p < 0.001), and 2.5°C between 20 and 30 W (p < 0.001). Temperatures reached 43°C in three patients applying 20 W and in eight patients applying 30 W. The shortest activation-time until threshold was 12 and 28 seconds with 30 and 20 W settings, respectively. When reaching 43°C, temperatures remained above this threshold for an additional 29 seconds on average. There was a significant correlation between IRT and renal APD. For example, when 10 W was applied in the setting of APD ≤20 mm, the recorded temperature was on average 2.3°C higher compared with APD >20 mm, with the same power settings applied, p < 0.001. Conclusion: During FURSL, IRT correlates directly with power settings and is inversely correlated with renal pelvic APD. Using a sheathless approach, power settings ≥20 W should arguably be avoided, especially in the context of a nondilated renal pelvis. ClinicalTrials: The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05677425).

Adverse events related to accessory devices used during ureteroscopy: Findings from a 10-year analysis of the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate adverse events and device events related to accessories used during ureteroscopy (URS). Materials and methods: Analysis was performed of the records available in the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database in the United States. Information was collected on characteristics of problem, timing, manufacturer verdict, successful completion of planned surgery, prolonged anaesthesia and injury to patient or staff. Results: Five-hundred seventy-one events related to URS accessories were recorded. These were associated with the following devices: baskets (n = 347), access sheath (n = 86), guidewires (n = 78), balloon dilators (n = 27), ARDs (n = 17) and ureteral catheters (n = 16). Of the events, 12.7% resulted in patient injuries. Forty-eight per cent of the events resulted in prolonged anaesthesia, but the planned surgery was successfully completed in 78.4% of all cases. Collectively, the manufacturers accepted responsibility due to actual device failure in only 0.5% of cases. Common problems for baskets were failure to deploy (39.5%) and complete detachment of basket head (34.6%) and partial breakage of the basket head (12.4%). Of the basket group, 4.3% required open or percutaneous surgery to remove stuck basket. Full break of the body of the access sheath occurred in 41.9% and complete ureteral avulsion in 3.5%. For balloon dilators, there was a burst in 37% of cases. Broken guidewires were associated with 11.5% requiring repeat intervention for retrieval and 6.4% required JJ stent due to perforation to the collecting system. No injuries to operating staff were recorded with accessory usage. Conclusion: Accessories used during URS are fragile. Potential for serious injury does exist as a direct result of their use. Surgeons should familiarise themselves with these events and how they can be prevented.

Prediction of clinically significant recurrence after partial nephrectomy. Data from the Cancer Registry of Norway with more than five years of follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To determine recurrence incidence after partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal cell carcinoma and identify predictors for local recurrence (LR) and metastasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 524 patients from the Cancer Registry of Norway, who underwent PN between January 2014 and December 2015 and were followed-up for >6 years. Patient demographics and pathological characteristics were correlated with recurrence and progression-free survival using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Median patient age was 64 years, and the median tumour size was 2.6 cm. A positive surgical margin (PSM) was observed in 11% of the cases, while the LR and metastasis rates were 3.4% and 3.2%, respectively. PSM (hazard ratio [HR], 55.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 12.55-244.6), tumour number (HR, 45.4; 95% CI, 6.5-316.1) and stage (HR, 33.5; 95% CI, 5.4-205.3) were independent predictors for LR. Undetermined margin status was also a risk factor for LR. Tumour stage (HR, 41.05; 95% CI, 8.52-197.76), tumour necrosis (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.4-4.31) and age (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.14) were predictors for metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Both local and distant recurrences after PN were rare, and the pT stage was a common predictor. PSM or indeterminate surgical margin and tumour number were LR predictors, while age at surgery and the presence of tumour necrosis predicted metastasis.

Measuring quality of life in patients with kidney stone disease: is it the future in endourology?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Kidney stone disease is recognized to negatively impact quality of life. This pertains to acute episodes, surgical interventions and even during asymptomatic periods. Over time there has been increased attention towards assessing this subjective parameter, including as a determinant of treatment success. Our aim was to evaluate the current status and emerging trends in this field. RECENT FINDINGS: Patient groups most affected appear to be recurrent stone formers, cystine stone formers, women, younger populations, non-Caucasians and low-income populations. Several stone specific patient reported outcome measures are now available of which, WISQol has been implemented the most in clinical research studies. More invasive interventions such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy impede quality of life to greater extent than alternatives such as shockwave lithotripsy. SUMMARY: There are certain patient groups who are more vulnerable to the negative impact of kidney stone disease on their quality of life. Urologists can improve patient care by recognizing these particular populations as well as by implemented patient reported outcome measures in their routine clinical practice and when performing research.

Transitioning from transrectal to transperineal prostate biopsy using a freehand cognitive approach.

OBJECTIVES: To report a single-centre experience of a complete transition from transrectal (TR) to transperineal (TP) prostate biopsy under local anaesthesia using a freehand cognitive coaxial approach and without use of antibiotic prophylaxis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Analysis was performed of a prospective database of patients undergoing prostate biopsy performed by four surgeons between 1 June 2018 and 31 May 2022. Outcomes of interest were complications, cancer detection rate, inter-operator reliability, and tolerability. RESULTS: Overall, 1915 patients underwent 2337 separate prostate biopsy sessions. Only 2.4% patients in the TP group received antibiotic prophylaxis, while 100% received antibiotics in the TR group. The complication rate was significantly lower in the TP group compared to the TR group (0.3% vs 5.0%, P < 0.001). In contrast to the TR group, there were no cases of urosepsis or admissions to intensive care in the TP group. The total cancer detection rate by TP biopsy was 70% and the overall pathology detection rate was 88.4%. There was no difference in cancer or pathology detection between operators. A stable level of cancer detection was reached early on for both Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System 4 and 5 lesions. All cases performed were performed successfully without need for early termination. CONCLUSION: Implementing a complete transition from TR to TP biopsy can result in a significant reduction in complications and hospital re-admissions. A cognitive freehand coaxial technique is well tolerated by patients and achieves a high cancer detection rate.

Patient Perspectives on Kidney Stone Surgery: A Content Analysis of Instagram Posts by Patients Versus Surgeons.

Background: Both clinicians and patients use social media to post about health care issues such as kidney stone disease, but their perspectives may differ. Objective: To evaluate content and themes regarding kidney stone surgery shared by patients and urologists on Instagram. Design setting and participants: A search was performed on Instagram using the term "kidney stone surgery". The first 100 posts from individuals who were clearly identified as a patient were assessed. We also assessed 100 posts from self-identified urologists. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: A previously published system was applied as a framework for categorizing the information collected. Outcomes of interested included pain, recovery, and costs. Results and limitations: Some 71% of the patients were female and most of their posts (52%) were shared postoperatively. The most common themes covered in patient posts were the need for multiple operative sessions (45%), pain (43%), and recovery (42%). Other themes included activities of daily life (18%), return to work (11%), nervousness (16%), stent issues (31%), stent on a string (5%), diet and prevention (9%), gratitude for health care services (10%), disease recurrence (18%), and costs (10%). Some 94% of the urologists were male and their posts covered the following domains: recovery (11%), stent issues (3%), pain (1%), stent on a string (1%), gratitude for health care services (1%), and recurrence 1%. Among the posts from urologists, 79% included self-promotion and 52% covered new technology. Overall, 10% contained false information. The majority of the posts with surgical images had no clear statement regarding patient consent (97%). Conclusions: Kidney stone surgery can affect many areas of a patient's quality of life. Most of the posts shared by patients were negative. Posts shared by urologists do not reflect the same themes. Moreover, there appears to be poor adherence to European Association of Urology recommendations regarding online professional conduct. Patient summary: Many patients use social media to share their experiences of kidney stone surgery. Posts are largely related to quality-of-life issues and are mostly negative. While urologists also use social media, the content they post on professional accounts is mostly focused on new technology and career promotion.

Penile Cancers Attributed to Human Papillomavirus Are Associated with Improved Survival for Node-positive Patients. Findings from a Norwegian Cohort Study Spanning 50 Years.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a risk factor for the development of penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC). It remains inconclusive whether HPV-related PSCC has a different prognosis from non-HPV-related PSCC. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between HPV status and survival as well as temporal changes in the proportion of HPV-related PSCC. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective cohort of 277 patients treated in Norway between 1973 and 2022 was investigated for HPV DNA in tumor tissue. Clinicopathological variables and disease course were registered. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression were used to investigate the determinants of cancer-specific survival (CSS). The chi-square test for trend in proportions enabled investigation of temporal changes in the HPV-related proportion of PSCC patients treated in Western Norway (n = 211). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: HPV DNA was detected in tumor tissue from 131 (47%) patients. Stratified by HPV status, 5-yr CSS did not differ between groups (p = 0.37). When investigating only node-positive patients, however, presence of HPV DNA was an independent predictor of better survival in multivariable Cox regression after adjustment for age, nodal stage, and adjuvant therapy (hazard ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval: [0.30-0.99], p = 0.04). In cases from Western Norway, an increasing proportion of HPV-related cases over time was found (p = 0.01). The main limitation is the retrospective study design. CONCLUSIONS: HPV DNA in tumor tissue was associated with significantly better CSS for node-positive patients. The proportion of HPV DNA-positive PSCC has increased significantly in Western Norway over the past 50 yr. PATIENT SUMMARY: We investigated the impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) on the survival of penile cancer patients treated over a 50-yr period in Norway. We found that for patients with lymph node metastasis, survival was better for HPV-related cases. We also found that the proportion of cases due to HPV has increased in Western Norway.

Refractory Bladder Neck Contracture (BNC) After Radical Prostatectomy: Prevalence, Impact and Management Challenges.

Bladder neck contracture is a recognised complication associated with radical prostatectomy. The management can be challenging, especially when refractory to initial intervention strategies. For the patient, the burden of disease is high and continence status cannot be overlooked. This review serves to provide an overview of the management of this recognised clinical pathology. Consideration needs to be given to minimally invasive approaches such as endoscopic incision, injectables, implantable devices as well as major reconstructive surgery where the condition persists. For the latter, this can involve open and robotic surgery as well as use of grafts and artificial sphincter surgery. These elements underline the need for a tailored and a patient centred approach.

Paediatric percutaneous nephrolithotomy (P-PCNL) reporting checklist.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a reporting checklist that serves to improve and standardise reporting in studies pertaining to paediatric percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: Based on findings from systematic review of literature, a draft list of items was formulated. By process of review and revisions, a finalised version was established and consensus achieved. RESULTS: The finalised version of the checklist covers four main sections, which include the following areas: study details, pre-operative, operative and post-operative information. There are 18 further sub-items. Recommendations deemed to be of high importance to include are highlighted in bold. CONCLUSION: This practical tool can aid clinicians and researchers when undertaking and reviewing studies on paediatric PCNL. This is highly relevant given the current heterogeneity that exists as well as debate in best practice patterns.

Controversies in ureteroscopy: lasers, scopes, ureteral access sheaths, practice patterns and beyond.

Ureteroscopy has become an increasingly popular surgical intervention for conditions such as urinary stone disease. As new technologies and techniques become available, debate regarding their proper use has risen. This includes the role of single use ureteroscopes, optimal laser for stone lithotripsy, basketing versus dusting, the impact of ureteral access sheath, the need for safety guidewire, fluoroscopy free URS, imaging and follow up practices are all areas which have generated a lot of debate. This review serves to evaluate each of these issues and provide a balanced conclusion to guide the clinician in their practice.

Microvascular proliferation is associated with high tumour blood flow by mpMRI and disease progression in primary prostate cancer.

Active angiogenesis may be assessed by immunohistochemistry using Nestin, a marker of newly formed vessels, combined with Ki67 for proliferating cells. Here, we studied microvascular proliferation by Nestin-Ki67 co-expression in prostate cancer, focusing on relations to quantitative imaging parameters from anatomically matched areas obtained by preoperative mpMRI, clinico-pathological features and prognosis. Tumour slides from 67 patients (radical prostatectomies) were stained for Nestin-Ki67. Proliferative microvessel density (pMVD) and presence of glomeruloid microvascular proliferation (GMP) were recorded. From mpMRI, forward volume transfer constant (Ktrans), reverse volume transfer constant (kep), volume of EES (ve), blood flow, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were obtained. High pMVD was associated with high blood flow (p = 0.008) and low ADC (p = 0.032). High Ktrans, kep, and blood flow were associated with high Gleason score. High pMVD, GMP, and low ADC were associated with most adverse clinico-pathological factors. Regarding prognosis, high pMVD, Ktrans, kep, and low ADC were associated with reduced biochemical recurrence-free- and metastasis-free survival (p ≤ 0.044) and high blood flow with reduced time to biochemical- and clinical recurrence (p < 0.026). In multivariate analyses however, microvascular proliferation was a stronger predictor compared with blood flow. Indirect, dynamic markers of angiogenesis from mpMRI and direct, static markers of angiogenesis from immunohistochemistry may aid in the stratification and therapy planning of prostate cancer patients.

Single use flexible ureteroscopes: Current status and future directions.

Introduction: Single use ureteroscopes are a technological innovation that have become available in the past decade and gained increased popularity. To this end, there are now an increasing number of both benchside and clinical studies reporting outcomes associated with their use. Our aim was to deliver a narrative review in order to provide an overview of this new technology. Methods: A narrative review was performed to gain overview of the history of the technology's development, equipment specifications and to highlight potential advantages and disadvantages. Results: Findings from preclinical studies highlight potenial advantages in terms of the design of single use ureteroscopes such as the lower weight and more recent modifications such as pressure control. However, concerns regarding plastic waste and environmental impact still remain unanswered. Clinical studies reveal them to have a non inferior status for outcomes such as stone free rate. However, the volume of evidence, especially in terms of randomised trials remains limited. From a cost perspective, study conclusions are still conflicting and centres are recommended to perform their own micro cost analyses. Conclusions: Most clinical outcomes for single use ureteroscopes currently match those achieved by reusable ureteroscopes but the data pool is still limited. Areas of continued debate include their environmental impact and cost efficiency.

Ureteroscopy during pregnancy: Outcomes and lessons learned over 4 decades at a tertiary center in Norway.

Background: The management of suspected kidney stone disease in pregnancy is challenging. In cases of persistent flank pain and where investigations may have rendered equivocal results, ureteroscopy (URS) is a recognized diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to investigate the safety and outcomes associated with performing URS during pregnancy, as the technique has evolved over the past 4 decades at our center. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of pregnant patients who underwent URS at our tertiary center between 1984 and 2022. Outcomes of interest included anesthetic approach, operative time, hospital stay, and complications. Results: Eighty-seven pregnant patients underwent 96 URS procedures, and 60% (n = 57) of these procedures were performed during the third trimester. Overall, 58% (n = 56) of the procedures were achieved with local anesthesia and light sedation. During the most recent decade, the latter was successfully carried out in 97% of the procedures, with the remainder occurring under spinal anesthesia as per patient choice. Overall, 57% (n = 50) of the whole study group had ureteral calculi found at the time of surgery and in 88% (n = 44) of these cases, fragmentation/extraction was performed. The remainder had insertion of ureteral stent with definitive clearance deferred until postpartum. Mean operative time and postprocedure hospital stay was 33 minutes (range, 7-100 minutes) and 2.2 days (range, 0-16 days), respectively. The overall intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were 2% and 11%, respectively. During the final decade, the latter improved to 6% and all adverse events were minor (Clavien I/II), with the exception of a single case. Regarding exit strategy, ureteral stent was placed in 42% (n = 40) of the procedures, 23% (n = 22) had ureteral catheter inserted, and the remainder (35%, n = 34) had none. Conclusions: Ureteroscopy can be safely performed during pregnancy using anesthetic approach with local anesthesia and light sedation. Development of a local protocol and multidisciplinary management algorithm are instrumental in enabling the delivery of such a service.

Identifying possible biomarkers of lower urinary tract symptoms using metabolomics and partial least square regression.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to explore potential novel biomarkers for moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) using a metabolomics-based approach, and statistical methods with significant different features than previous reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients and the controls were selected to participate in the study according to inclusion/exclusion criteria (n = 82). We recorded the following variables: International prostatic symptom score (IPSS), prostate volume, comorbidities, PSA, height, weight, triglycerides, glycemia, HDL cholesterol, and blood pressure. The study of 41 plasma metabolites was done using the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique. First, the correlations between the metabolites and the IPSS were done using Pearson. Second, significant biomarkers of LUTS from metabolites were further analysed using a multiple linear regression model. Finally, we validated the findings using partial least square regression (PLS). RESULTS: Small to moderate correlations were found between IPSS and methionine (-0.301), threonine (-0.320), lactic acid (0.294), pyruvic acid (0.207) and 2-aminobutyric-acid (0.229). The multiple linear regression model revealed that only threonine (p = 0.022) was significantly associated with IPSS, whereas methionine (p = 0.103), lactic acid (p = 0.093), pyruvic acid (p = 0.847) and 2-aminobutyric-acid (p = 0.244) lost their significance. However, all metabolites lost their significance in the PLS model. CONCLUSION: When using the robust PLS-regression method, none of the metabolites in our analysis had a significant association with lower urinary tract symptoms. This highlights the importance of using appropriate statistical methods when exploring new biomarkers in urology.