Clinical and urodynamic impact of detrusor overactivity in women with overactive bladder. / Repercusión clínica y urodinámica de la presencia de hiperactividad del detrusor en mujeres con vejiga hiperactiva.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and urodynamic differences (associated with the presence or absence of detrusor overactivity [DO]) in women with overactive bladder (OAB) referred to Functional Urology and Urodynamic Units in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional, multicenter and prospective study conducted in Spain in women with clinical diagnosis of OAB, who had been referred to urodynamic study (UDS) of which centralized reading was performed. Patients completed the 3-day voiding diary (DM3d) with the PPIUS scale (Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale), the B-SAQ (Bladder Self-Assessment Questionnaire) and the OABq-SF (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form). The questionnaires and UDS variables of women with OAV, with or without DO, were compared using the Mann-Whitney test (continuous variables) and the chi-square test (χ2) (categorical variables). RESULTS: A total of 247 women with OAB were evaluated, and 103 of them had DO. According to the presence or absence of DO, significant differences were observed in the number of episodes of urge urinary incontinence (UUI), urinary frequency, nocturia, mean micturition volume and number of pads (P<.05 for all comparisons). A higher percentage of patients with OAB and DO presented reduced bladder capacity, urgency, urge urinary incontinence (UUI) and lower volume for first voiding desire, strong desire to void and maximum cystomanometric capacity in UDS compared with patients without DO (P<.05 for all comparisons). The only significant differences between both groups were regarding the B-SAQ symptoms scale (P=.011). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of DO in women with OAB is related to a more severe alteration of the bladder filling phase.

Validation of the Spanish version of the Bladder Pain/Interstitial Cystitis-Symptom Score (BPIC-SS) questionnaire. A useful tool for the diagnosis of bladder pain syndrome. / Validación de la versión española del cuestionario Bladder Pain/Interstitial Cystitis-Symptom Score (BPIC-SS). Un instrumento útil para el diagnóstico del síndrome de dolor vesical.

OBJECTIVES: Validation of the Spanish version of the Bladder Pain/Interstitial Cystitis-Symptom Score (BPIC-SS) questionnaire to evaluate its utility for the diagnosis of Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS) patients in the Female and Urodynamics Urology Functional Units in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Spanish adaptation of the BPIC-SS questionnaire was evaluated in 243 BPS patients. EQ-5D-5L, Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC) and global impression questionnaire (CGI-S) were collected. Consistency, test-retest reliability in patients without clinical changes at 15 days, criterion validity and sensitivity to change were assessed in BPS patients with clinical changes at 6 months. The cut-off point for discriminating BPS patients from other similar pathologies (Hyperactive Bladder or other urinary pathologies) was analysed using ROC curve. RESULTS: Mean (SD) BPIC-SS score (0-38) was 16.2 (12.0) points. Cronbach's alpha was 0.92 and intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC) was 0.82, ranging from 0.5-0.9 per item. Convergent validity determined a Spearman correlation of 0.63 with PPBC and -0.40 with EQ-5D-5L Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the effect size obtained in patients who improved their clinical status was 1.9. A score greater than or equal to 12 points in the BPIC-SS has been established as the best cut-off point for the diagnosis of BPS (87.5% sensitivity and 91.9% specificity). CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the BPIC-SS is a valid and reliable instrument for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with BPS in Spain.

Impact of overactive bladder symptoms on work activity: The ACTIVHA study. / Impacto de los síntomas de vejiga hiperactiva sobre la actividad laboral: estudio ACTIVHA.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the impact of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms on the work activity of patients in Spain. METHOD: An observational, multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted with 149 urologists and 131 gynaecologists of Spain and included patients diagnosed with OAB, according to clinical judgment, who were of working age (18-65 years). We collected sociodemographic, clinical and work activity data. The patients filled out the Bladder Control Self-Assessment Questionnaire (B-SAQ) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire-General Health (WPAI-GH). The effect of each symptom on the daily and occupational activity was assessed. The results were stratified according to sex and the presence of emergency and urinary incontinence (UI) according to the B-SAQ. RESULTS: We assessed 768 patients (89% women), with a mean (SD) age of 52.5 (9.3) years and 2.6 (2.6) years of OAB progression. The most common symptoms according to the patients were urgent urination (89.8%), nocturia (75.7%), urge incontinence (68.5%) and frequent urination (68.2%). Ninety-six percent of the patients adopted adaptive measures for their OAB. According to the B-SAQ, 543 patients (71%) presented urgent urination; of these, 294 (54%) showed UI. The symptom that most affected work activity was frequent urination (59.8%). According to the WPAI-GH, the patients reported an impact of 32% during the workday (41% in patients with urgent urination and UI) and a loss of work time of 6.5% (9.9% in patients with urgent urination and UI). CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms of OAB negatively affect work activity, especially in patients who have urgent urination and UI.

Organochlorine chemicals and neurodegeneration among elderly subjects in Costa Rica.

BACKGROUND: We previously screened 400 elderly Costa Ricans for neurodegenerative disease. Those reporting occupational pesticide exposure (18%) had an increased Parkinson׳s disease (PD) risk (OR 2.57, 95% CI 0.91-7.26), and worse cognition (Mini-Mental States Exam (MMSE) 24.5 versus 25.9 points, p=0.01). We subsequently measured long-lasting organochlorine pesticides (ß-HCH, DDE, DDT, and dieldrin) in a sub-sample (n=89). Dieldrin and ß-HCH have been linked to PD, and DDE to Alzheimer׳s disease. METHODS: We ran regression models for MMSE and tremor-at-rest to assess associations with pesticides in 89 subjects. RESULTS: The percent of ß-HCH, DDE, DDT (parent compound for DDE), and dieldrin above their limit of detection (LOD) were 100%, 93%, 75%, and 57%, respectively. Tremor-at-rest was found in 21 subjects, and the mean MMSE was 25. Those who reported occupational pesticide exposure (n=36) had more detectable dieldrin samples (p=0.005), and higher mean levels of dieldrin (p=0.01), than those not reporting exposure. Other pesticides did not differ between those with and without self-reported occupational exposure. There was a positive but non-significant trend of higher risk for tremor-at-rest with higher dieldrin (p=0.10 for linear trend). Neither DDE nor DDT showed a relationship with MMSE. However, after excluding two outliers with the lowest MMSE scores, higher DDT levels showed some modest association with lower MMSE (p=0.09 for linear trend). CONCLUSIONS: Our data are limited by small sample size. However, dieldrin was high in our population, has been previously linked to PD, and could be partly responsible for the excess PD risk seen in our population.

Patient perspectives on triggers, adherence to medical recommendations, and disease control in atopic dermatitis: the DATOP study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze the triggers of atopic dermatitis (AD), adherence to medical recommendations, disease control, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) from the patient's perspective. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional, epidemiological study with the participation of adults (age >16 years; n=125) and children (age, 2-15 years, n=116). Patients had a history of at least 12 months of moderate to severe AD with a moderate to severe flare (Investigator Global Assessment score>2) at the time of recruitment. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to evaluate relationships between disease severity, determined according to the Scoring in Atopic Dermatitis index, and triggers reported by patients, adherence to recommendations and pharmacological therapy, HRQOL, and patient-perceived control. RESULTS: The most common triggers were cosmetic products, clothing, mites, detergents/soaps, and changes in temperature. In 47.2% of adults and 39.7% of children, pharmacological therapy was not initiated at flare onset. Adherence was highest to pharmacological therapy, skin moisturizing, and medical care recommendations. Disease control was considered insufficient by 41.6% of adults and 27. 6% of pediatric patients and, in adults, this was associated with the severity of AD (P=.014). CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic control of AD is susceptible to improvement, especially in adults. Although patients state that they follow medical recommendations, a significant percentage of patients do not apply recommended treatments correctly. Better education about the disease and its management would appear to be necessary to improve disease control and HRQOL.

Perfil de síntomas del tracto urinario inferior en el varón y su impacto en la calidad de vida / Profile of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in the Male and Their Impact on Quality of Life

Objetivos: La etiología multifactorial de los síntomas del tracto urinario inferior (STUI) justifica su evaluación detallada para un adecuado abordaje terapéutico según las guías europeas actuales. Para conocer el perfil sintomático e impacto en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) de pacientes varones que acuden a consulta de urología se desarrolló el siguiente estudio. Material y métodos: Estudio epidemiológico, transversal en 826 varones adultos con ≥ 1 STUI de novo no tratados previamente. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Los pacientes cumplimentaron la Puntuación internacional de síntomas prostáticos (IPSS), Cuestionario de autoevaluación del control vesical (CACV) y cuestionario SF-12. Resultados: La edad media (DE) fue de 65 (10) años. El 69% presentaba una combinación de síntomas de llenado, vaciado y posmiccionales. El 30% tenía ≥ 2 episodios de urgencia y ≥ 8 micciones al día (subpoblación con síntomas de llenado [SLL]). Los SLL fueron el motivo de consulta en el 86% de los casos. El flujo urinario máximo medio fue 11,4 ml/s y el 44% tenía volumen prostático entre 20-40 cc y el 91% síntomas moderados o graves (IPSS) con puntuación media (DE) de 17 (7). La subpoblación con SLL tenía puntuaciones mayores del CACV (síntomas 6,9 vs 4,8; molestias 7,8 vs 5,1). La subpoblación con SLL presentaba peor CVRS (IPSS ítem 8). Conclusiones: Estos hallazgos evidencian que es importante conocer el perfil de síntomas de cada paciente y el grado de molestia e impacto en la calidad de vida para orientar adecuadamente el tratamiento (AU)

Objectives: Following current European Guidelines, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) are produced by several causes and, thus, thorough clinical assessment should be undertaken for a correct therapeutic management. This study was conducted in order to assess the symptoms profile and their impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) of male patients attending urology outpatient clinics.Material and methodsEpidemiological, cross-sectional study including adult male patients (n = 826) presenting with at least one de novo previously untreated LUTS. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were collected. Patients completed IPSS, Bladder Control Self-Assessment Questionnaire (B-SAQ) and SF-12 questionnaires.Results: Mean age (SD) was 65 (10) years. A combination of storage, voiding and post-micturition symptoms were present in 69% of subjects and 30% showed ≥ 2 urgency episodes and ≥6 micturitions daily (storage symptoms –SS— sub-population). Storage symptoms were the reason for consultation in 86%. Mean peak urinary flow (Qmax) was 11.4 mL/s, in 44% of patients,prostate volume was 20-40 mL and 91% showed moderate or severe symptoms on IPSS with an overall mean (SD) score of 17 (7). SS sub-population had higher B-SAQ scores (6,9 vs 4,8 for symptoms; 7,8 vs 5,1 for bother), and worse HRQL (IPSS item 8).Conclusions: These findings support the importance of addressing treatment adequately according to patient profile, bothersomeness and impact on HRQL (AU)

Combination of heterogeneous EEG feature extraction methods and stacked sequential learning for sleep stage classification.

This work proposes a methodology for sleep stage classification based on two main approaches: the combination of features extracted from electroencephalogram (EEG) signal by different extraction methods, and the use of stacked sequential learning to incorporate predicted information from nearby sleep stages in the final classifier. The feature extraction methods used in this work include three representative ways of extracting information from EEG signals: Hjorth features, wavelet transformation and symbolic representation. Feature selection was then used to evaluate the relevance of individual features from this set of methods. Stacked sequential learning uses a second-layer classifier to improve the classification by using previous and posterior first-layer predicted stages as additional features providing information to the model. Results show that both approaches enhance the sleep stage classification accuracy rate, thus leading to a closer approximation to the experts' opinion.

Profile of lower urinary tract symptoms in the male and their impact on quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: Following current European Guidelines, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) are produced by several causes and, thus, thorough clinical assessment should be undertaken for a correct therapeutic management. This study was conducted in order to assess the symptoms profile and their impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) of male patients attending urology outpatient clinics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Epidemiological, cross-sectional study including adult male patients (n=826) presenting with at least one de novo previously untreated LUTS. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were collected. Patients completed IPSS, Bladder Control Self-Assessment Questionnaire (B-SAQ) and SF-12 questionnaires. RESULTS: Mean age (SD) was 65 (10) years. A combination of storage, voiding and post-micturition symptoms were present in 69% of subjects and 30% showed >2 urgency episodes and >6 micturitions daily (storage symptoms -SS- sub-population). Storage symptoms were the reason for consultation in 86%. Mean peak urinary flow (Q(max)) was 11.4 mL/s, in 44% of patients,prostate volume was 20-40 mL and 91% showed moderate or severe symptoms on IPSS with an overall mean (SD) score of 17 (7). SS sub-population had higher B-SAQ scores (6,9 vs 4,8 for symptoms; 7,8 vs 5,1 for bother), and worse HRQL (IPSS item 8). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the importance of addressing treatment adequately according to patient profile, bothersomeness and impact on HRQL.

Impacto de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en población pediátrica y adulta española con dermatitis atópica. Estudio PSEDA / Impact of Atopic Dermatitis on Health-Related Quality of Life in Spanish Children and Adults: The PSEDA Study

Introducción y objetivos: La dermatitis atópica (DA) puede afectar tanto a niños como a adultos. Su principal síntoma es el prurito, afectando la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) de los pacientes. El presente manuscrito pretende evaluar el impacto de la DA en la vida de los pacientes, tanto pediátricos como adultos. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio epidemiológico, prospectivo, multicéntrico, en consultas de Dermatología. Se seleccionaron pacientes pediátricos (2-17 años) y adultos (≥18 años) con DA de más de un año de evolución, sin otra patología inflamatoria crónica dermatológica. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas de la DA y centradas en el paciente (cuestionarios Itch Severity Scale [ISS] y Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index [cDLQI] o Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI]). Resultados: Se incluyeron 151 pacientes pediátricos y 172 pacientes adultos. Los pediátricos tenían una edad media (DE) de 9,4 (4,5) años y el 51,7% eran niños; los adultos tenían una edad media (DE) de 32,3 (13,4) años y el 58,7% eran mujeres. Entre los pediátricos la puntuación del ISS aumenta con la gravedad (p<0,05); el 79% presentaban dificultad para conciliar el sueño. En adultos la frecuencia e intensidad del prurito fue superior, presentando más diferencias según la gravedad (p<0,05); el 87,1% presentaba dificultades para conciliar el sueño. En ambas poblaciones se observaron diferencias en la puntuación global y por dimensiones del DLQI/cDLQI según la gravedad de la enfermedad. Conclusiones: La DA afecta la CVRS de los pacientes, tanto pediátricos como adultos, correlacionándose con la presencia e intensidad del prurito (AU)

Background and objectives: Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects both children and adults. The main symptom of this disease is pruritus, which impacts health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of AD on the lives of children and adults with this disease. Patients and methods: This was a multicenter prospective epidemiological study of children (2-17 years) and adults (≥18 years) with AD selected from dermatology offices in Spain. The patients had all had AD for at least a year and had no other chronic inflammatory skin diseases. In addition to sociodemographic information, the data collected included the clinical features of AD and the results of patient-centered questionnaires: the Itch Severity Scale (ISS), the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and the children’s version of this questionnaire (cDLQI). Results: We studied 151 children and 172 adults. The mean (SD) age of the children was 9.4 (4.5) years and 51.7% were boys. In the case of adults, the mean age was 32.3 (13.4) years and 58.7% were women. Among the children, the ISS score increased with disease severity and in the adults, both the frequency and intensity of pruritus increased with disease severity (P <0 .05 in both cases); 79%of the children and 87.1% of the adults reported difficulty sleeping. In both populations, overall and subscale DLQI and cDLQI scores varied according to disease severity. Conclusions: AD affects HRQOL in both children and adults and its impact is correlated with the presence and intensity of pruritus (AU)

Impact of atopic dermatitis on health-related quality of life in Spanish children and adults: the PSEDA study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects both children and adults. The main symptom of this disease is pruritus, which impacts health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of AD on the lives of children and adults with this disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter prospective epidemiological study of children (2-17 years) and adults (≥ 18 years) with AD selected from dermatology offices in Spain. The patients had all had AD for at least a year and had no other chronic inflammatory skin diseases. In addition to sociodemographic information, the data collected included the clinical features of AD and the results of patient-centered questionnaires: the Itch Severity Scale (ISS), the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and the children's version of this questionnaire (cDLQI). RESULTS: We studied 151 children and 172 adults. The mean (SD) age of the children was 9.4 (4.5) years and 51.7% were boys. In the case of adults, the mean age was 32.3 (13.4) years and 58.7% were women. Among the children, the ISS score increased with disease severity and in the adults, both the frequency and intensity of pruritus increased with disease severity (P<.05 in both cases); 79% of the children and 87.1% of the adults reported difficulty sleeping. In both populations, overall and subscale DLQI and cDLQI scores varied according to disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: AD affects HRQOL in both children and adults and its impact is correlated with the presence and intensity of pruritus.

Why youths stay away from health centres: an assessment of youth health needs and health care services utilization

OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which the primary health care services meet the needs of adolescents in the North-West Health Region, Trinidad. DESIGN and METHODS: A systematic sample of Government and Government assisted elementary, secondary and technical/vocational schools in the North-West was included in the study. Between January and February of 1999, self administered questionnaires were completed by 300 students in the 11 to 19 age-group randomly selected from the schools' sample. RESULTS: Only 23.6 percent of the sample went `most often' to Health Centres `at some time' - 167 (56 percent) - the major source of discomfort was the lengthy waiting period (82.7 percent) while 22 percent felt that the attitude of the deliverers of the service was either poor or very poor. Young people requested that the community health administration provide a range of services that include sport and recreation (50.7 percent), educational programmes (48.6 percent), sex education (36.1 percent), career guidance (34.8 percent), counselling (30.7 percent). They preferred these services to be delivered in a building specially designed for that purpose. CONCLUSIONS: The health services currently being provided do not meet the needs of the youth. Their preference is for a mix of services that would focus on their physical, emotional and social needs. This would require a multisectoral collaboration and the participation of youth in the planning and development of such an initiative. (Au)

Protection of C57BL/10 mice by vaccination with association of purified proteins from Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis.

In the past few years, induction of protective immunity to cutaneous leishmaniasis has been attempted by many researchers using a variety of antigenic preparations, such as living promastigotes or promastigote extracts, partially purified, or defined proteins. In this study, eleven proteins from Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis (LLa) with estimated molecular mass ranging from 97 to 13.5kDa were isolated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electro-elution. The proteins were associated as vaccine in different preparations with gp63 and BCG (Bacilli Calmette-Guérin). The antigenicity of these vaccines was measured by their ability to induce the production of IFN-gamma by lymphocyte from subjects vaccinated with Leishvacinregister mark or target. The immunogenicity was evaluated in vaccinated mice. C57BL/10 mice were vaccinated with three doses of each vaccine consisting of 30 microg of each protein at 15 days interval. One hundred microg of live BCG was only used in the first dose. Seven days after the last dose, they received a first challenge infection with 10(5) infective promastigotes and four months later, a second challenge was done. Two months after the second challenge, 42.86% of protection was obtained in the group of mice vaccinated with association of proteins of gp63+46+22kDa, gp63+13.5+25+42kDa, gp63+46+42kDa, gp63+66kDa, and gp63+97kDa; 57. 14% of protection was demonstrated with gp63+46+97+13.5kDa, gp63+46+97kDa, gp63+46+33kDa, and 71.43% protection for gp63 plus all proteins. The vaccine of gp63+46+40kDa that did not protect the mice, despite the good specific stimulation of lymphocytes (LSI = 7. 60) and 10.77UI/ml of IFN-gamma production. When crude extract of L. (L.) amazonensis was used with BCG a 57.14% of protection was found after the first challenge and 28.57% after the second, the same result was observed for gp63. The data obtained with the vaccines can suggest that the future vaccine probably have to contain, except the 40kDa, a cocktail of proteins that would protect mice against cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Cost-effectiveness of various methods of diagnosing hypersensitivity to Alternaria.

This study was undertaken for two reasons: 1) It is more difficult to diagnose hypersensitivity to molds than to other allergens, so an evaluation of diagnostic tests was needed. 2) Alternaria is the principal cause of mold sensitization in our area. Sixty-six patients (20 +/- 4 years) were selected and divided into two groups. Group A was made up of patients with rhinitis and/or asthma due to Alternaria sensitization. Group B consisted of patients sensitized to other allergens and patients with nonrespiratory allergic disorders. Skin tests (prick and intradermal), challenge tests (conjunctival, nasal, and bronchial), and specific IgE determination were performed for all patients. A biologically standardized extract of Alternaria tenuis (Alergia e Inmunología Abelló, S. A., Madrid, Spain) obtained from a single batch was used for all tests. Our diagnostic criterion was a clinical history of rhinitis or asthma that coincided with the results of nasal/bronchial challenge. The diagnostic value of the other tests was compared to this criterion. In the group of rhinitic patients, skin tests and conjunctival challenge were more sensitive than specific IgE determination. In asthmatic patients, the most sensitive techniques were nasal and conjunctival challenges, followed by prick and intradermal skin tests, and, lastly, serum specific IgE determination. When rhinitis and asthma were considered jointly, the most sensitive test was conjunctival challenge, followed by skin-prick and intradermal tests. All tests had the same specificity, regardless of disorder. Nasal challenge was positive in all patients. Skin tests are easy to perform, cheap, non-traumatic for the patient, and sufficiently specific and sensitive for the diagnosis of Alternaria hypersensitivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)