Second-hand prostatism: effects of prostatic symptoms on spouses' quality of life, daily routines and family relationships.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of male prostatic symptoms on their partners' quality of life, daily routines and family relationships. METHODS: A structured telephone interview study was carried out on a random sample of 215 of the wives and partners of men aged 50 years or older drawn from those registered at four family medicine centres in Israel. They were asked about sleep disturbances, number of night-time wakings, and the effect on sexual relations, travel, entertainment, family and social relationships. RESULTS: The vast majority of women (86%) were affected by their partners' prostatism, with multiple consequences for their daily routines, quality of life and relationships. Sleep was the area of greatest concern, with 46% of women regularly waking due to their partners' urination disorder. The women reported other limitations: 37% noted problems with sexual functioning; 17% were unable to take long trips with partners; 10% could not visit places without toilets; while 8% were unable to go to the cinema or theatre. Women felt that their partners' prostatic symptoms were also to be blamed for upsetting family relationships (10%) and relationships with friends (16%). There was near total correspondence between women and their male partners regarding the effects of prostatic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Prostatism has an impact on men and women; strategies that consider the whole couple should be developed and utilized when considering treatment options.

Changes in the Activity of Catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) in Relation to the Dormancy of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Buds.

Catalase activity in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) buds cv. ;Perlette.' increased to a maximum in October and thereafter decreased within 3 months to less than half its maximal rate. The decrease in catalase activity coincided with the decline in temperature during winter. The rate of sprouting of buds forced at 23 degrees C was negatively related to the activity of catalase. Artificial chilling of grapevine canes at 5 degrees C resulted in a 25% decrease of catalase activity in the buds after 3 days and 31% after 17 days. The activity of catalase increased to the control level only 96 hours after removing canes from 5 degrees C to room temperature. Efficient buddormancy breaking agents, such as thiourea and cyanamide decreased catalase activity to 64 and 50% of the controls respectively, while the activity of peroxidase remained the same under those conditions. A less efficient dormancy breaking agent dinitro-ortho-cresol, did not decrease catalase activity.