Urinary Urgency in the Elderly.

The last 2 decades have brought an explosion of research, new products, and general attention to the problem of urinary urgency, and yet patients continue to be plagued by this symptom - especially the elderly. What is it? What does it mean? How can we guide patients successfully through this challenge? This paper presents a review of current thinking about urgency relevant to the practicing clinician, including the epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment of these patients.

Male Pelvic Pain: Beyond Urology and Chronic Prostatitis.

Chronic pelvic pain in men has often been misdiagnosed as prostatitis. After excluding serious or acute urological, neurological or colorectal conditions, it is essential to approach these patients with a much more comprehensive criteria. Thoughtful interview and methodical physical examination can very often reveal pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, Myofascial pain syndromes, Functional Somatic Syndrome/Central Sensitization Syndromes and/or psychosocial distress. One must be aware that many of these syndromes frequently overlap. Acknowledgement of these conditions and validation of both their physical and psychological distress is paramount to creating trust and confidence in the patient. These are the cornerstones for empowerment and self-care required in the management of chronic pelvic pain.

Randomized multicenter feasibility trial of myofascial physical therapy for the treatment of urological chronic pelvic pain syndromes.

PURPOSE: We determined the feasibility of conducting a randomized clinical trial designed to compare 2 methods of manual therapy (myofascial physical therapy and global therapeutic massage) in patients with urological chronic pelvic pain syndromes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 48 subjects with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome or interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome at 6 clinical centers. Eligible patients were randomized to myofascial physical therapy or global therapeutic massage and were scheduled to receive up to 10 weekly treatments of 1 hour each. Criteria to assess feasibility included adherence of therapists to prescribed therapeutic protocol as determined by records of treatment, adverse events during study treatment and rate of response to therapy as assessed by the patient global response assessment. Primary outcome analysis compared response rates between treatment arms using Mantel-Haenszel methods. RESULTS: There were 23 (49%) men and 24 (51%) women randomized during a 6-month period. Of the patients 24 (51%) were randomized to global therapeutic massage, 23 (49%) to myofascial physical therapy and 44 (94%) completed the study. Therapist adherence to the treatment protocols was excellent. The global response assessment response rate of 57% in the myofascial physical therapy group was significantly higher than the rate of 21% in the global therapeutic massage treatment group (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: We judged the feasibility of conducting a full-scale trial of physical therapy methods and the preliminary findings of a beneficial effect of myofascial physical therapy warrants further study.

Trends in PSA, age and prostate cancer detection among black and white men from 1990-2006 at a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men in the United States, with even higher prevalence and death rates among black men. The authors sought to compare trends in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), age, and prostate-cancer detection among black and white men in our region during a 16-year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patient archives between 1990 through 2006. Data collection was accomplished by examining patients' charts and electronic medical records. Data from 5570 patients, of whom 911 were black, were analyzed statistically by testing and comparing parameters over time. RESULTS: During this 16-year period, mean age at the time of initial diagnostic prostate biopsy did not change in either group, despite what we had believed about the effects of patient education and screening campaigns. However, prostate-cancer detection rates did decrease during the time period studied. Over time, the authors also observed significant decreases in the sensitivity and specificity of PSA as a screening tool. Indeed, analysis of more recent cases demonstrated a positive predictive value comparable to a coin toss. While Gleason scores remained relatively stable over time, reporting of prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and inflammation increased. CONCLUSIONS: Using lower PSA thresholds, promoting younger screening age, and increasing efforts to educate the public have not seemed to influence age at time of diagnostic testing, which may reflect other factors such as usefulness of screening, physician referral patterns, patient compliance, and other sociodemographic issues. The usefulness of PSA as a screening tool appears to be diminishing.

Life impact of urologic pain syndromes.

In order to explore the personal experience of chronic urologic pain we asked patients to journal in their own words their daily symptoms and the effects of those symptoms on home/family life, working life and social life. Journal responses were independently reviewed by three researchers and major themes summarized following an inductive approach. Three major themes were identified concerning symptoms, personal and interpersonal effects of symptoms and related role limitations. Fatigue emerged as a newly recognized symptom that may benefit from treatment. Role limitations are mediated by potentially modifiable personal and interpersonal effects currently not addressed in urologic pain treatment paradigms.

Nonpharmacological approaches for the treatment of urological chronic pelvic pain syndromes in men.

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, or urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS), remains a common and often challenging disorder to evaluate and treat. Employing a more holistic approach, including urological therapy, physical therapy, and psychosocial perspectives, may be more appropriate for most patients. Growing evidence supports the use of biofeedback, myofascial trigger point release, prescribed exercise regimens, relaxation techniques, and supportive counseling to treat men with UCPPS.

Randomized multicenter feasibility trial of myofascial physical therapy for the treatment of urological chronic pelvic pain syndromes.

PURPOSE: We determined the feasibility of conducting a randomized clinical trial designed to compare 2 methods of manual therapy (myofascial physical therapy and global therapeutic massage) in patients with urological chronic pelvic pain syndromes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 48 subjects with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome or interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome at 6 clinical centers. Eligible patients were randomized to myofascial physical therapy or global therapeutic massage and were scheduled to receive up to 10 weekly treatments of 1 hour each. Criteria to assess feasibility included adherence of therapists to prescribed therapeutic protocol as determined by records of treatment, adverse events during study treatment and rate of response to therapy as assessed by the patient global response assessment. Primary outcome analysis compared response rates between treatment arms using Mantel-Haenszel methods. RESULTS: There were 23 (49%) men and 24 (51%) women randomized during a 6-month period. Of the patients 24 (51%) were randomized to global therapeutic massage, 23 (49%) to myofascial physical therapy and 44 (94%) completed the study. Therapist adherence to the treatment protocols was excellent. The global response assessment response rate of 57% in the myofascial physical therapy group was significantly higher than the rate of 21% in the global therapeutic massage treatment group (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: We judged the feasibility of conducting a full-scale trial of physical therapy methods and the preliminary findings of a beneficial effect of myofascial physical therapy warrants further study.

Sexually transmitted infections.

This article addresses the importance of screening for sexually transmitted diseases as a form of secondary prevention. The differential diagnoses of genital ulcers or inflammatory disorders of the genitourinary tract, with a higher index of suspicion for sexually transmitted disease, are discussed, as well as currently recommended treatment options for the same.

Prostatitis: ¿infección, alteración neuromuscular o síndrome doloroso? La adecuada clasificación del paciente es clave / Prostatitis: infection, altered or neuromuscular pain syndrome? The proper classification of the patient is key

La prostatitis en un término muy amplio utilizado para describir la inflamación de la próstata con una variedad de síntoma urinarios bajos, molestias en la actividad sexual y disfunción. Es una condición que afecta entre el 5 y 10 por cien de la población masculina y es el diagnostico urológico más común en menores de 50 años. La prostatitis se clasifica en cuatro categorías, incluyendo sus formas aguda y crónica bacterianas, una crónica abacteriana y una asintomática. Las formas bacterianas son más fáciles de diagnosticar y tratar, pero no es usual que los síntomas del paciente estén claramente relacionados con una condición infecciosa, tanto así que la prostatitis crónica abacteriana (también conocida como síndrome de dolor pélvico crónico), es la forma más prevalente y menos entendida, así como también es la que implica un mayor reto diagnóstico y terapéutico. Esta forma de prostatitis puede responder a terapias no centradas en la próstata como terapia física, liberación de puntos gatillo miofasciales y terapias de relajación. Teniendo en cuenta que hay múltiples formas de prostatitis, es necesario tener presentes las múltiples modalidades terapéuticas, hacer un enfoque diagnostico apropiado y hacer un diagnóstico diferencial adecuado , con miras a tener un manejo efectivo.

Prostatitis: Infection, neuromuscular disorder, or pain syndrome? Proper patient classification is key.

Prostatitis is a broad term used to describe inflammation of the prostate that may be associated with a myriad of lower urinary tract symptoms and symptoms of sexual discomfort and dysfunction. The condition affects 5% to 10% of the male population and is the most common urologic diagnosis in men younger than 50 years. Prostatitis is classified into four categories, including acute and chronic bacterial forms, a chronic abacterial form, and an asymptomatic form. The bacterial forms are more readily recognized and treated, but symptoms in most affected men are not found to have an infectious cause. Indeed, chronic abacterial prostatitis (also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome) is both the most prevalent form and also the least understood and the most challenging to evaluate and treat. This form of prostatitis may respond to non-prostate-centered treatment strategies such as physical therapy, myofascial trigger point release, and relaxation techniques. Because the various forms of prostatitis call for vastly different treatment approaches, appropriate evaluation, testing, and differential diagnosis are crucial to effective management.

Therapeutic options for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome continues to pose a treatment challenge for urologists. Most commonly prescribed medications, such as antibiotics, a-blockers, androgen inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory agents, have been shown to help some patients. However, the efficacy and durability of such treatments lack consistency among men suffering from this disorder. The rationale for such treatments is described in this article, along with possible explanations for the apparent shortcomings. Also included is a brief summary of alternative therapies, which are growing in popularity among patients and gaining acceptance in our medical communities.

Influence of asymptomatic histologic prostatitis on serum prostate-specific antigen: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the influence of asymptomatic inflammatory processes of the prostate on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. METHODS: A total of 51 patients with no evidence of prostate cancer or clinical prostatitis were prospectively studied. All subjects underwent 10 to 12 sector transrectal-ultrasound guided needle biopsies of the prostate. Serum PSA was measured 10 minutes before the biopsies. The fragments were stained and histologically analyzed. Two different classifications were used. One divided patients according to the number of specimens with inflammatory processes: 20% or less (group 1), more than 20% to 50% or less (group 2), and greater than 50% (group 3). Any kind of inflammatory process was considered positive. The second was the presence or absence of foreign body-type giant cells. Pearson's nonparametric test was used in the statistical analysis, with P <0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The number of specimens with an inflammatory process was statistically significant (P = 0.02), with a median PSA level of 4.96 ng/mL in group 1 patients, 7.40 ng/mL in group 2, and 8.03 ng/mL in group 3 patients. The presence of foreign body-type giant cells in the histologic analysis was not statistically significant, with a median PSA level of 10.21 ng/mL compared with 5.89 ng/mL in the group without these cells. CONCLUSIONS: The extension of the inflammatory process, as evaluated by the number of specimens involved, was directly related to elevations of serum PSA levels in asymptomatic patients. We could not find a statistically significant relationship between the presence of foreign body-type giant cells and serum PSA levels.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a non-prostatocentric perspective.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common urological diagnosis affecting young and middle aged men. Symptoms of genital or pelvic pain associated with voiding or sexual dysfunction were historically attributed to an inflamed prostate gland. A review of urological and non-urological literature pertaining to CPPS was conducted in order to devise a plausible alternative description of this syndrome. Due to publisher's criteria, only select articles are included and cited for this purpose. Evidence of a bacterial etiology is non-existent, while evidence of prostatic inflammation is conflicting and non-specific. More plausible causes of prostatitis-like symptoms include musculoskeletal pain, pelvic floor muscular dysfunction, myofascial pain syndromes or functional somatic syndromes. Thorough evaluation and appropriate therapy for patients has been seriously hindered by decades of a prostatocentric approach to CP/CPPS. The following article introduces an alternative perspective.

Diagnosing the prostatitis patient: the dilemma continues.

National Institutes of Health Category III prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome continues to pose a diagnostic and treatment challenge to most urologists. While this form of so-called prostatitis is the most prevalent and frustrating, little progress has been made in proving an etiology and consequently, in finding an effective remedy. The diagnostic dilemma is illustrated by the conflicting data employed to describe prostatitis. What is prostatitis? Is it a malady of the prostate gland itself? Is it a form of voiding dysfunction? Is it a myofascial pain syndrome? Or, is prostatitis urology's brand of functional somatic syndrome? It is time we address the dilemma by looking beyond the prostate gland and toward a multidisciplinary perspective.