Persistence of urgency and urge urinary incontinence in women with mixed urinary symptoms after midurethral slings: a multivariate analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for persistence of urgency or urge urinary incontinence following midurethral sling surgery. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral Urogynaecology Unit. SAMPLE: A total of 754 consecutive women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urgency; and 514 women with SUI and urge urinary incontinence (UUI) who underwent midurethral sling with a mean follow up of 50 months. METHODS: Women with persistent urgency or UUI at long-term follow up were compared with those whose symptoms had resolved, using multivariate analysis to determine the risk factors for persistent symptoms. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Odd ratios (OR) of independent risk factors for persistent urgency or UUI. RESULTS: Persistent urgency (304/754, 40%) and UUI (166/514, 32%) were common. Coexistent detrusor overactivity (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.39-3.01), baseline symptom severity (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.10-1.78) and age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04) increased the risk of persistent urgency, while transobturator sling surgery (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39-094) and concomitant prolapse surgery (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38-0.75) decreased the risk. For UUI detrusor overactivity (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.18-2.93), baseline symptom severity (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.38-2.56), previous incontinence surgery (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.28-3.70) increased the risk of persistence, whereas apical prolapse surgery (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.15-0.70) decreased the risk. Women were more likely not to recommend surgery when they experienced persistent urgency (15.8% versus 2.7%, P < 0.0001) or UUI (24.7% versus 2.9%, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Urodynamic parameters, baseline urgency symptom severity, midurethral sling route and concomitant prolapse operation are important predictors of persistent urgency or UUI following midurethral sling.

Prospective evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the Apogee system for treatment of vault prolapse.

This is a prospective study evaluating the efficacy and safety of the Apogee vault repair system in the management of vault prolapse. All patients who underwent this procedure between October 2004 and December 2005 in Townsville, Australia are included in the study. Preoperative and postoperative clinical assessments were done using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ) system and patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months and then biannually. Of the 35 patients operated, there were no intraoperative complications and only one patient (2.8%) had a recurrence of vault prolapse at 12 months. Nine patients (25%) had mesh exposure treated successfully with outpatient trimming and oestrogen. This medium term study shows that the Apogee procedure is safe with minimal complications for the management of vault prolapse.

A report of the Malaysian dialysis registry of the National Renal Registry, Malaysia.

The Malaysian National Renal Registry was set up in 1992 to collect data for patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). We present here the report of the Malaysian dialysis registry. The objectives of this papar are: (1) To examine the overall provision of dialysis treatment in Malaysia and its trend from 1980 to 2006. (2) To assess the treatment rate according to the states in the country. (3) To describe the method, location and funding of dialysis. (4) To characterise the patients accepted for dialysis treatment. (5) To analyze the outcomes of the dialysis treatment. Data on patients receiving dialysis treatment were collected at initiation of dialysis, at the time of any significant outcome, as well as yearly. The number of dialysis patients increased from 59 in 1980 to almost 15,000 in 2006. The dialysis acceptance rate increased from 3 per million population in 1980 to 116 per million population in 2006, and the prevalence rate from 4 to 550 per million population over the same period. The economically advantaged states of Malaysia had much higher dialysis treatment rates compared to the less economically advanced states. Eighty to 90% of new dialysis patients were accepted into centre haemodialysis (HD), and the rest into the chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) programme. The government provided about half of the funding for dialysis treatment. Patients older than 55 years accounted for the largest proportion of new patients on dialysis since the 1990s. Diabetes mellitus has been the main cause of ESRD and accounted for more than 50% of new ESRD since 2002. Annual death rate averaged about 10% on HD and 15% on CAPD. The unadjusted 5-year patient survival on both HD and CAPD was about 80%. Fifty percent of dialysis patients reported very good median QoL index score. About 70% of dialysis patients were about to work full or part time. There has been a very rapid growth of dialysis provision in Malaysia particularly in the older age groups. ESRD caused by diabetes mellitus, despite being a preventable and treatable cause of ESRD--has increased and accounted for more than 50% of incident dialysis patients. Death and survival rates on dialysis are comparable to those from other countries.

The enigma of hypertensive ESRD: observations on incidence and trends in 18 European, Canadian, and Asian-Pacific populations, 1998 to 2002.

BACKGROUND: Despite improved treatment of hypertension and decreasing rates of stroke and coronary heart disease, the reported incidence of hypertensive end-stage renal disease (ESRD) increased during the 1990s. However, bias, particularly from variations in acceptance into ESRD treatment (ascertainment) and diagnosis (classification), has been a major source of error when comparing ESRD incidences or estimating trends. METHODS: Age-standardized rates were calculated in persons aged 30 to 44, 45 to 64, and 65 to 74 years for 15 countries or regions (separately for the Europid and non-Europid populations of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand), and temporal trends were estimated by means of Poisson regression. For 10 countries or regions, population-based estimates of mean systolic blood pressures and prevalences of hypertension were extracted from published sources. RESULTS: Hypertensive ESRD, comprising ESRD attributed to essential hypertension or renal artery occlusion, was least common in Finland, non-Aboriginal Australians, and non-Polynesian New Zealanders; intermediate in most European and Canadian populations; and most common in Aboriginal Australians and New Zealand Maori and Pacific Island people. Rates correlated with the incidence of all other nondiabetic ESRD, but not with diabetic ESRD or community rates of hypertension. Between 1998 and 2002, hypertensive ESRD did not increase in Northwestern Europe or non-Aboriginal Canadians, although it did so in Australia. CONCLUSION: Despite the likelihood of classification bias, the probability remains of significant variation in incidence of hypertensive ESRD within the group of Europid populations. These between-population differences are not explained by community rates of hypertension or ascertainment bias.

Short term urinary catheter policies following urogenital surgery in adults.

BACKGROUND: Urinary catheterisation (by the urethral or suprapubic routes) is common following urogenital surgery. There is no consensus on how to minimize complications and practice varies. OBJECTIVES: To establish the optimal way to manage urinary catheters following urogenital surgery in adults. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group specialised trials register (searched 30 May 2005) and the reference lists of relevant articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised trials were identified. Studies were excluded if they were not randomised or quasi-randomised trials of adults being catheterised following urogenital surgery. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data collection was performed independently by two of the review authors and cross-checked. Where data might have been collected but not reported, clarification was sought from the trialists. MAIN RESULTS: Thirty nine randomised trials were identified for inclusion in the review. They were generally small and of poor or moderate quality reporting data on only few outcomes. Confidence intervals were all wide. USING A URINARY CATHETER VERSUS NOT USING ONE: The data from five trials were heterogeneous but tended to indicate a higher risk of (re)catheterisation if a catheter was not used postoperatively. The data gave only an imprecise estimate of any difference in urinary tract infection. URETHRAL CATHETERISATION VERSUS SUPRAPUBIC CATHETERISATION: In six trials, a greater number of people needed to be recatheterised if a urethral catheter rather than a suprapubic one was used following surgery (RR 3.66, 95% CI 1.41 to 9.49). SHORTER POSTOPERATIVE DURATION OF CATHETER USE VERSUS LONGER DURATION: In 11 trials, the seven trials with data suggested fewer urinary tract infections when a catheter was removed earlier (for example 1 versus 3 days, RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.87) with no pattern in respect of catheterisation. CLAMP AND RELEASE POLICIES BEFORE CATHETER REMOVAL VERSUS IMMEDIATE CATHETER REMOVAL: In a single small trial, the clamp-and-release group showed a significantly greater incidence of urinary tract infections (RR 4.00, 95% 1.55 to 10.29) and a delay in return to normal voiding (RR 2.50, 95% CI 1.16 to 5.39). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Despite reviewing 39 eligible trials, few firm conclusions could be reached because of the multiple comparisons considered, the small size of individual trials, and their low quality. Whether or not to use a particular policy is usually a trade-off between the risks of morbidity (especially infection) and risks of recatheterisation.

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of suburethral slings.

OBJECTIVE: Suburethral slings have become the most commonly performed anti-incontinence procedures in many developed countries. Three types of implant account for the majority of such surgery in Australia: tensionless vaginal tape (TVT), suprapubic arc procedure (SPARC) and intravaginal slingplasty (IVS). The aim of this study was to determine differences in position and mobility of these implants, and to determine whether such differences explain variations in clinical outcome. METHODS: In a prospective randomized controlled trial, 195 women were randomized to TVT (n = 67), IVS (n = 64) or SPARC (n = 64). Thirteen women were excluded from the study due to incomplete preoperative data. Of the remaining 182 women, 146 (50 TVT, 48 IVS, 48 SPARC) were seen between 2 and 23 months after their procedure (80%). After an interview, two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) pelvic floor ultrasound was performed. 3D-volume analysis was carried out on a computer with the help of proprietary software (GE Kretz 4D View). Assessors of ultrasound data were blinded against group allocation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in subjective cure/improvement of stress or urge incontinence or overall subjective cure/improvement. Symptoms, including those of voiding dysfunction, did not vary between groups. All tapes could be imaged by ultrasound. TVT and SPARC were highly echogenic, with the SPARC generally flatter and of wider weave. The IVS seemed narrower and less echogenic. Tape position and mobility were similar, with a trend towards greater distances between tape and symphysis pubis and greater horizontal tape mobility in the SPARC group. CONCLUSIONS: The three types of suburethral sling, namely TVT, SPARC and IVS, investigated using 2D and 3D ultrasound, have comparable short-term clinical and anatomical outcomes.

An ambispective observational study in the safety and efficacy of posterior colporrhaphy with composite Vicryl-Prolene mesh.

There is increasing evidence to show that the use of surgical meshes reduces recurrence rates of hernia repair and anterior vaginal wall prolapse. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of posterior colporrhaphy with mesh in patients with posterior vaginal prolapse. An ambispective observational study involving 90 patients was conducted with retrospective chart review and prospective subjective and objective assessments at the end of a 1-year study period. Apart from 2 of 90 (2.2%) minor hematoma incidents, there was no other major perioperative morbidity. Prevalence of common prolapse complaints of vaginal lump sensation, constipation, defecation difficulty and dyspareunia all improved significantly postoperatively (p<0.001). Surgical correction was achieved in 27 of 31 (83.9%) at 6 months and beyond. There was no mesh infection but minor vaginal mesh protrusion was found in 7 of 90 (7.8%) patients at 6-12 weeks and 4 of 31 (12.9%) patients at 6 months and beyond. All these were treated easily with trimming without the need of mesh removal. We conclude that posterior colporrhaphy with mesh is effective in treating posterior vaginal prolapse in short term.

Suburethral vaginal erosion and pyogenic granuloma formation: an unusual complication of intravaginal slingplasty (IVS).

We report an unusual case of suburethral vaginal erosion and pyogenic granuloma formation 14 months after intravaginal slingplasty (IVS). A 64-year-old woman underwent IVS for recurrent stress incontinence 12 years after Burch colposuspension. Following seemingly uncomplicated surgery and recovery, she developed a recurrent urinary tract infection which was treated with antibiotics. When she presented with vaginal pain and postmenopausal bleeding approximately 14 months postoperatively, she was found to have suburethral vaginal erosion of the tape and a pyogenic granuloma. The exposed tape was removed, the granuloma excised, and the overlying vaginal skin was then closed. She then made an uneventful recovery.

Malaysian children with spina bifida: relationship between functional outcome and level of lesion.

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between spinal lesion level and functional outcome in children with spina bifida. METHODS: Prospective observational study of 66 children who attended the Spina Bifida Clinic from 1994-1997. Data were obtained from serial physical examination and parent interview to determine mobility status, neurosensory deficits, continence and school placement. RESULTS: Eighteen (27.3%) had high-level (thoracic and thoracolumbar), 27 (40.9%) intermediate (low lumbar) and 21 (31.8%) low-level (sacral) lesions. Children with high-level lesions experienced more mobility problems (independent ambulation, balance and use of appliances), than those with intermediate or low-level lesions (p<0.001). 58.8% of children with low-level lesions used diapers, compared with those with high (90%) or intermediate (100%) level lesions (p = 0.005), but there were no significant differences in the incidence of soiling or urinary incontinence among all three groups. There were no significant differences among the three groups in terms of school placement, skin breakdown, epilepsy or visual defect. CONCLUSION: Although there is good correlation between the level of the lesion and mobility in children with spina bifida, other measures of functional outcome like continence and school placement are more difficult to predict. These data are important for realistic counselling of families with newborns with spina and planning long term rehabilitation resources.

Neurological manifestations of children with systemic lupus erythematosus.

In a cross-sectional study of 21 children with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, 15 (71%) were found to have neuropsychiatric manifestations. The most common finding was generalised seizures (42.8%) followed by encephalopathy (19%) and hallucinations (19%). One child (4.76%) had hemichorea. In 3 children neurological manifestations were the first symptom of SLE. Computerised Axial Tomograms (CAT scans) showed cerebral atrophy in 7 of 12 scans available for review. Ten children had abnormal EEGs. Although none of the children had clinical evidence of a peripheral neuropathy, 8 had neurophysiological evidence of a neuropathy. One child died of intracranial haemorrhage. Six children had residual neuropsychiatric sequalae.

Cost effectiveness evaluation of the Ministry of Health Malaysia dialysis programme.

We determine the cost effectiveness of centre and home haemodialysis (HD), continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD) treatment in the Ministry of Health (MOH) programme. The viewpoint taken for this evaluation is that of MOH. Cost categories identified were capital cost, dialysis operational cost, medical cost and general hospital cost. Cost estimates were mostly based on actual resource utilisation. Life years saved were estimated based on Dialysis Registry data on 2480 HD and 732 CAPD patients. Overall, the cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) of centre HD was RM21620/life year saved. Those of home HD, CAPD and IPD were RM23375, RM30469 and RM36016 respectively. Sensitivity analyses did not change the ranking of the CER. We conclude the MOH dialysis programme was cost-effective, and among the various dialysis modalities centre HD was the most cost-effective.

Outcome assessment of the Ministry of Health Malaysia dialysis programme.

We describe the outcomes on haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) provided by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The assessment was based on data from the Malaysian Dialysis Registry on 2480 HD and 732 CAPD patients who commenced dialysis between 1980 and 1996. Young patients (age < 40) have remarkable long term survival (life expectancies of 16 years on HD, 18 years on CAPD). Adjusting for background mortality, relative survival of older patients was as good as younger ones. Diabetics did poorly. 52% of HD and 26% of CAPD patients were employed in 1996. 71% of HD patients scored 10(normal) on QL index (a measure of quality of life) while 60% of CAPD patients have similar score. Differences in rehabilitation and QL index scores by age, gender and diabetes were also observed. Outcomes of dialysis in the MOH programme are reassuring.