Predictors of Initial CPAP Prescription and Subsequent Course with CPAP in Patients with Central Sleep Apneas at a Single Center.

PURPOSE: Guidelines recommend considering an initial trial of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat central sleep apnea (CSA). However, practice patterns vary widely. This study investigated predictors for an initial trial of CPAP in patients with central apneas and whether those factors predict adequate treatment response in patients receiving an initial CPAP trial. METHODS: Charts of patients receiving a diagnostic code for CSA following a sleep study during 2016-2018 at a single center were reviewed. Patient factors, initial treatment prescriptions, and subsequent changes to therapy were extracted from electronic health records. Regression models were used to estimate factors associated with an initial CPAP prescription and the likelihood of an adequate CPAP response (no subsequent therapy change and no discontinuation of therapy) among patients prescribed CPAP. RESULTS: 429/588 (73%) patients with central apneas received an initial trial of CPAP. Younger age, diagnosis by home sleep testing, non-opiate etiology of central apneas, and a lower proportion of central apneas at diagnosis were independently associated with a higher likelihood of an initial CPAP trial. A lower proportion of central apneas was associated with a higher probability of adequate response, while current smoking and opiate-related central apneas predicted an unsuccessful CPAP trial. A new finding was that older age predicted a lower likelihood of an initial CPAP prescription but did not predict an unsatisfactory response to CPAP. CONCLUSION: Clinicians may incorrectly weigh certain clinical and sleep study characteristics when deciding whether to trial CPAP for patients with central apneas.

Comparison of EEP and TURP long-term outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term reoperation rate and functional outcomes between EEP (endoscopic enucleation of the prostate) and TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic literature review of Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted with primary outcome assessed being reoperation rate and secondary outcomes after a long term (> 3 years) being functional outcomes or related values (prostate volume, PSA level, etc.). EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Five studies were found with long-term follow-up 4-7 years. EEP reoperation rate ranged from 0 to 1.27%, while from 1.7 to 17.6% for TURP. Meta-analysis showed significantly lower OR for EEP, 0.27 (95% CI 0.24-0.31), with notable homogeneity of the results, I2 = 0%. Long-term Qmax and IPSS were significantly better for EEP. Qmax pooled mean difference was 1.79 (95% CI 1.72-1.86) ml/s with a high concordance among the studies, I2 = 0%. IPSS mean difference -1.24 (95% CI - 1.28 to - 1.2) points, I2 = 57% but QoL did not differ, with mean difference being 0.01 (95% CI - 0.02 to 0.04), I2 = 0%. IIEF-5 score was also significantly better for EEP, mean difference 1.08 (95% CI 1.03-1.13), but heterogeneity was high, I2 = 70%. PSA level and prostate volume were only reported in one study and favored EEP slightly yet statistically significant. CONCLUSION: EEP had a significantly lower reoperation rate and better functional outcomes (Qmax and IPSS) at long term compared with TURP. It may also be beneficial in terms of IIEF-5, PVR, and PSA level.

Predictors of Initial CPAP Prescription and Subsequent Course with CPAP in Patients with Central Sleep Apneas.

Purpose: Guidelines recommend considering an initial trial of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat central sleep apnea (CSA). However, practice patterns vary widely. This study investigated predictors for an initial trial of CPAP in patients with central apneas and whether those factors predict adequate treatment response in patients receiving an initial CPAP trial. Methods: Charts of patients receiving a diagnostic code for CSA following a sleep study during 2016-2018 at a single center were reviewed. Patient factors, initial treatment prescriptions, and subsequent changes to therapy were extracted from electronic health records. Regression models were used to estimate factors associated with an initial CPAP prescription and the likelihood of an adequate CPAP response (no subsequent therapy change or nonadherence) among patients prescribed CPAP. Results: 429/588 (73%) patients with central apneas received an initial trial of CPAP. Younger age, diagnosis by home sleep testing, non-opiate etiology of central apneas, and a lower proportion of central apneas at diagnosis were independently associated with a higher likelihood of an initial CPAP trial. A lower proportion of central apneas was associated with a higher probability of adequate response, while current smoking and opiate-related central apneas predicted an unsuccessful CPAP trial. A new finding was that older age predicted a lower likelihood of an initial CPAP prescription but did not predict a suboptimal response to CPAP. Conclusion: Clinicians may incorrectly weigh certain clinical and sleep study characteristics when deciding whether to trial CPAP for patients with central apneas.

A novel less-traumatic needle for kidney puncture: first clinical experience.

INTRODUCTION: To decrease complication rate, we developed a novel MG needle for kidney puncture consisting of a pointed cannula, an atraumatic mandrin-bulb and a spring mechanism pushing the mandrin-bulb forward. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess efficacy and safety of kidney puncture during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using a novel less-traumatic MG needle within a clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized single-center study. In the experimental group, kidney puncture was performed with a novel MG needle while in the control group, standard Trocar or Chiba puncture needles were used. PRIMARY ENDPOINT: hemoglobin drop. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were enrolled. Patients who underwent standard puncture (n = 33) had higher hemoglobin drop in the early postoperative period (p = 0.024). Although there was no statistical difference in overall complication rate between the two groups (p = 0.351), two severe Clavien-Dindo IIIa complications with urinoma occurred in patients from the control group. CONCLUSION: Less-traumatic needle for kidney puncture may reduce hemoglobin drop and prevent the development of severe complications. At the same time, in terms of stone-free rate (SFR), the efficacy of PCNL remains the same regardless of the needle used for renal access.

Robot-Assisted Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Targeted versus Systematic Prostate Biopsy; Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Robot-assisted devices have been recently developed for use in prostate biopsy. However, it is possible advantages over standard biopsy remain unclear. We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance and safety of robot-assisted targeted (RA-TB) and systematic prostate biopsies (RA-SB). METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE and Scopus databases. The detailed search strategy is available at Prospero (CRD42021269290). The primary outcome was the clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa) detection rate. The secondary outcomes included the overall detection rate of PCa, cancer detection rate per core, and complications. RESULTS: The clinically significant cancer detection rate, overall cancer detection rate, and "per patient" did not significantly differ between RA-TB and RA-SB [OR = 1.02 (95% CI 0.83; 1.26), p = 0.05, I2 = 62% and OR = 0.95 (95% CI 0.78; 1.17), p = 0.17, I2 = 40%, respectively]. There were no differences in the clinically insignificant cancer detection rate "per patient" between RA-TB and RA-SB [OR = 0.81 (95% CI 0.54; 1.21), p = 0.31, I2 = 0%]. RA-TB had a significantly higher cancer detection rate "per core" [OR = 3.01 (95% CI 2.77; 3.27), p < 0.0001, I2 = 96%]. CONCLUSION: RA-TB and RA-SB are both technically feasible and have comparable clinical significance and overall PCa detection rates.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo effect in clinical trials on chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

BACKGROUND: It is a common practice to control efficacy of pharmacological treatment with a placebo group. However, placebo itself may affect subjective and even objective results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the placebo effect on symptoms of CP/CPPS to improve future clinical trials. METHODS: A search at three databases (Scopus, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) was conducted to identify double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials on the treatment of CP/CPPS published until April 2021. The primary outcome - National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Qmax, PVR, IPSS, and prostate volume. RESULTS: A total of 3502 studies were identified. Placebo arms of 42 articles (5512 patients, median 31 patients) were included in the systematic review. Systematic review identified positive changes in the primary endpoint, meta-analysis of 10 articles found that NIH-CPSI total score results were significantly influenced by placebo, mean difference -4.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -6.31, -2.09). Mean difference of NIH-CPSI pain domain was -2.31 (95% CI: -3.4, -1.21), urinary domain -1.12 (95% CI: -1.62, -0.62), quality of life domain -1.67 (95% CI: -2.38, -0.96); p < 0.001 for all. In case of the objective indicator - Qmax, there were three articles included in the meta-analysis. Qmax mean change from baseline was 0.68 (95% CI: -0.85, 2.22, p = 0.38). Systematic review showed no significant changes in pain, measured by VAS or other scores, IPSS and PVR. CONCLUSIONS: Placebo significantly affected the subjective parameters (NIH-CPSI) and limitedly affected various other measurements of pain (visual analog scale, McGill pain questionnaire). There was no long-term effect on IPSS and objective measurements (Qmax, PVR). This study can be used in further clinical trials to develop general rules of CPPS treatment assessment.

Enucleation vs. vaporization of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a head-to-head comparison of the various outcomes and complications. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Vaporization of the prostate (VP) and endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (EEP) are reliable and frequently used methods for BPO relief. Both surgeries utilize lasers and EAU recommends them in similar patient cohorts. Our objective was to compare intra- and perioperative results of patients who had undergone VP and EEP. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic literature search was performed in three databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus). The detailed search strategy is available at Prospero, CRD42020204739. Primary outcomes were functional results (IPSS, QoL, PVR, Qmax), and secondary outcomes were intraoperative results, postoperative PSA and prostate volume, complications, and recurrence rate. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: VP required less operative time compared to EEP, mean difference -5.51 (95% CI -7.52; -3.50). IPSS and Qmax for VP were worse after 12-month follow-up, mean difference 0.89 (95% CI 0.52; 1.27) and -3.7 (95% CI -4.56; -2.85), respectively, while QoL did not differ significantly. Postoperative PSA level was higher in the VP group, mean difference 2.28 (95% CI 2.00; 2.55). VP was associated with reduced Clavien-Dindo grade I (OR=4.16; 95% CI 2.96; 5.84) and grade II (OR=3.79; 95% CI 2.25; 6.39) complication rate, especially in terms of the percentage of blood transfusion and transient urinary incontinence. The rate of complications grade IIIa and higher was similar (3-6%). Reoperation rate was only estimated in one study and was significantly higher in the PVP group at 60 months of follow-up, 2.7% vs. 0%, P<0.05. CONCLUSIONS: EEP and VP share the efficacy and safety in BPH management. Our meta-analysis shows comparable complication rate in Clavien-Dindo III, VP superiority in operation time, and EEP superiority in long-term functional outcomes and PSA reduction.

Opening Editorial - The Importance of the Humanities in Medical Education.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. An Abstract was not necessary for this article.

Concluding Commentary. The Importance of the Humanities in Medical Education: Where are we now?

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. The undergraduate medical curriculum, together with many of the other healthcare curricula, is under a constant state of change. Sometimes that change is for the better, very occasionally less so. Many physicians who graduated more than forty years ago may agree that the humanities were a strong component of the hidden curriculum; the humanities were just there and enhanced many teaching activities (mainly lectures) to a variable state. They were used by a certain proportion of faculty to make their lectures "more exciting", "more real" and "to put them in context". Over time and as new teaching and learning technologies took the place of formal teaching (such as lectures), these humanities approaches and enhancements appeared to become less prominent. This new AMEE MedEdPublish theme - The Importance of the Humanities in Medical Education - has not only demonstrated that the humanities are not gone and lost forever, they were just hidden, but the number of papers received demonstrated that the subject is certainly healthier than expected and suggests the inclusion of the Humanities within all forms of healthcare curricula and training opportunities. This concluding commentary provides an overview of the large number of papers received, explores the various reasons that support the presence of the humanities in the curriculum, provides insight into the ways that the humanities are being taught and finally, provides some direction of the way forward.