The significance of calprotectin, CD147, APOA4 and DJ-1 in non-invasive detection of urinary bladder carcinoma.

Aim of the study is to define the diagnostic accuracy of selected urinary protein biomarkers in the non-invasive detection of primary and recurrent urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder. The urinary levels of calprotectin, CD147, APOA4 and protein deglycase DJ-1 were examined in 255 individuals, including 60 controls with non-malignant urological disease, 61 patients with a history of urinary bladder cancer with negative cytology and negative cystoscopy and 134 patients with urinary bladder cancer. Urinary concentrations of biomarkers were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). During the follow-up of patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), a group of 44 patients with cancer recurrence was compared to the group of 61 patients with a history of NMIBC but with no evidence of disease. Urinary concentrations of the evaluated markers did not reveal any significant difference between these groups. During the primary diagnosis, a group of 90 patients with primary bladder cancer and 60 subjects with benign disease were compared. Urinary levels of CD147 were not significantly higher in patients with tumors. The greatest diagnostic accuracy was observed in APOA4 (sensitivity 55.6, specificity 83.3, AUC 0.75), and lesser in calprotectin (sensitivity 39.4, specificity 87.7, AUC 0.66) and in DJ-1 (sensitivity 61.1, specificity 66.7, AUC 0.64), respectively. Apolipoprotein A4 may be used potentially as a supplemental urinary marker in the diagnosis of primary bladder cancer.

The importance of serum osteopontin and stanniocalcin-1 in renal cell carcinoma.

A total of 56 RCC patients with staging ≥ pT1b were enrolled in a prospective study to assess the prognostic importance of serum levels of osteopontin (OP), stanniocalcin-1 (SC), FGF-23, alpha Klotho and 25-OH-D at the time of diagnosis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. The relationship between the serum level of the analyzed parameters and recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was examined, and our control group consisted of 20 patients without cancer. The levels of osteopontin, stanniocalcin-1, FGF-23 and alpha Klotho were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and 25-OH-D by chemiluminiscence immunoanalysis (CLIA). The follow-up period median was 46 months. Renal cell carcinoma recurred in 9 patients and 20 patients died during follow-up; 12 of them from RCC. The level of osteopontin and stanniocalcin-1 varied between the control group and RCC patients (at p=0.02 and p=0.0003). Higher levels of stanniocalcin-1 were detected in the metastatic RCC group than in the localized RCC group (p=0.003). Only the stanniocalcin-1 level at the time of surgery was associated with RFS (p=0.0004). Both OS and CCS were associated with the osteopontin, stanniocalcin-1 and FGF preoperative level. Patients with stanniocalcin-1 level over 1,277 pg/ml and osteopontin level over 100 ng/ml had 17.8 times higher and 7.9 times higher risk of dying from RCC progression, respectively (p<0.001 and p=0.002). High levels of osteopontin, stanniocalcin-1 and FGF 23 at the time of surgery are important prognostic factors related to CSS and OS. Patients with high stanniocalcin-1 level were at risk of tumor recurrence.

How durable is the effect of mirabegron in successfully-treated overactive bladder patients? Analysis of a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: Many clinical studies indicate that pharmacologic treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) is considered effective and safe, but in real clinical practice a substantial proportion of patients discontinues the treatment. The reason for discontinuing the treatment most frequently reported is lack of efficacy and/or side effects. A further significant proportion of patients reports that they stopped the treatment because the symptoms disappeared or were resolved. This β3 agonist seems to be crucial in providing comparable efficacy in the OAB treatment and better tolerance in comparison with anticholinergics. Our aim was to investigate the durability of the mirabegron effect in successfully treated OAB patients and to understand more fully what prompts patients to return to the medication. Is this merely a subjective decision, or is it based on objective worsening of the symptoms? DESIGN: Analysis of multicentre prospective study. SETTINGS: Gynaecology and Obstetric Department First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague. METHODS: This is an analysis of longitudinal multicentre study of OAB mirabegron treatment persistence. After continuing mirabegron treatment for more than 18 months patients were assessed by bladder diary and specific questionnaires. Patients with a UB-VAS score (Urgency Bother Visual Analogue Scale) of 50 or less were asked to stop the mirabegron treatment and restart the treatment any time later if they felt the need. Patients recorded the date of return to medication; they kept a daily bladder diary and filled in the same questionnaires as at the time of medication discontinuation. We provide a comparison of symptoms at the time of mirabegron discontinuation and at the time of mirabegron medication restart. RESULTS: 206 patients entered the study. 176 females (85%) and 30 males (15%) with mean age 62.9 ± 12.43, BMI ranging from 16.6 to 48.0 (mean 27.2 ± 4.96). After 18 months 126 patients were persisting with mirabegron treatment. 89 patients had UB-VAS score 50 (89 of 126 patients, i.e. 71%). Those patients were asked to stop the treatment. From the eligible group of 89 patients, 19 patients (21%) were unwilling to stop the treatment and were therefore excluded. There were no significant differences in bladder diary and QoL characteristics between patients who were unwilling to discontinue the treatment and patients who did stop taking the medication. The group who stopping treatment comprised 70 patients. At the time of last follow-up 22 patients (31%) had not restarted the medication, with mean follow-up of 122.6 days. Therapy was restarted by 48 patients (i.e. 69% of 70). The mean time without treatment was 48 days (± 32.0 days), median 53 days. There was significant worsening of OAB symptoms and subjective bother at the time of restarting the medication. CONCLUSION: Subjective bother based on increase number of frequency, urgency, and nycturia causes patients with positive experience to return to mirabegron treatment. Most patients with successfully-treated symptoms of OAB who discontinue treatment can only do so temporarily. A worsening of the symptoms occurs rather rapidly, because 69% of patients with OAB symptoms successfully treated with mirabegron (UB-VAS 50) are unable to discontinue taking the medication for more than two months.

[Degree of satisfaction of patients continuing overactive bladder treatment with mirabegron]. / Stupen spokojenosti pacientu pokracujících v lécbe hyperaktivního mocového mechýre mirabegronem.

OBJECTIVE: Overactive bladder syndrome is chronic disease with high prevalence rate (9-42%). This syndrome requires long term therapy, but the treatment persistence is after 3 months over all 26% with further decline in one-year period as low as 18.5%. Main reasons for stopping the treatment are low efficacy, the medication didnt work as expected and side effects. How much satisfied are patients with mirabegron persisting on its treatment? To answer this question, we provided secondary analysis of multicentre follow-up study of patients on mirabegron. We compared subjective and objective parameters between patients continuing mirabegron treatment and those who discontinued the medication. DESIGN: Secondary analysis multicentre prospective follow-up. SETTINGS: Ob/Gyn department First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague. METHODS: It is secondary analysis of multicentre prospective study following patients with mirabegron 50 mg treatment. We have analysed objective data from micturition diary and subjective data using visual analogue scales (UB-VAS - urgency bother visual analogue scale, and TS-VAS - treatment satisfaction visual analogue scale) and compared data between the group of patients continuing mirabegron treatment and patients who stopped the medication during the study. RESULTS: We included 206 patients (176 women, 30 men) with diagnosis of overactive bladder. Patients continuing the treatment (group n1) had baseline UB-VAS 70.1 vs. 75.0 (p = n.s.) in patients who stopped the medication during the follow-up period (group n2). Baseline episodes of severe urgency and urge incontinence where n1 - 5.1 vs. n2 - 6.2 (p = n.s.). Six months urgency bother score UB-VAS was n1 - 32.4 vs. n2 - 58.9 (p < 0,001). Treatment satisfaction TS-VAS was n1 - 80.3 vs. n2 - 57.7 (p < 0,001). Number of severe urgencies with or without urge incontinence was after 6 months n1 - 2.1 vs. n2 - 3.3 (p = n.s.), lower in group continuing the treatment. When comparing the data between patients stopping the medication for reason of low efficacy (group s1) with patients stopping for other reasons (group s2) UB-VAS bas: s1 - 68.5 vs. s2 - 43.9 (p = 0.001); TS VAS s1 - 45.1 vs. s2 - 58.4 (p = n.s.) and number of severe urgency with or without incontinence s1 - 5.9 vs. s2 - 3.2 (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Our data shows that patients expectation on treatment with mirabegron is not low. Patients accept treatment either without side effects or with decrease of severe urgency with or without urge incontinence around 50%. Regardless the reason the patients continuing the treatment scale treatment satisfaction - TS-VAS over 70 points.

[Cure effect and persistence of treatment with Mirabegron in patients with symptoms of overactive bladder: a multicentre clinical study]. / Lécebný efekt a perzistence na lécbe mirabegronem u pacientu s príznaky hyperaktivního mocového mechýre v multicentrické klinické studii.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to monitor and evaluate the persistence and cure effect of Mirabegron in patients with overactive bladder syndrome after 18 months of treatment. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTINGS: 10 gynecological and urological departments in CZE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an analysis of a prospective, multicenter monitoring study from May to September 2014. The patients were 18 years old and had symptoms of OAB for a minimum of three months. Patient check-ups were performed 18 months after the first visit. The dosage of Mirabegron was 50 mg per day in 162 patients, though for 44 of the patients the treatment was changed. During the final check-ups it was ascertained how many patients had discontinued treatment with Mirabegron, at first as a proportion of the whole group of patients and then in relation to gender, age, previous treatment with anticholinergic drugs and changes in the treatment during the study. To evaluate treatment efficacy we employed the TS-VAS and PPBC. During the check-up it was ascertained how many patients had discontinued treatment with Mirabegron, and reasons for this were established. The statistics were calculated using the softwares STATISTICA 12 (Statsoft, USA) and SPSS 20.0 (IBM, v.20.0). RESULTS: Prospective monitoring was performed on 206 patients. Their mean age was 62.8 years; mean body mass index for the whole group of patients was 27.3. At the check-up 18 months post-initiation of treatment it emerged that 79 (38.3%) patients had discontinued the treatment. The reasons for discontinuation of treatment were insufficient treatment efficacy (35.4% of patients), while 49.4% cited other reasons (hospitalisation, surgery, gravidity) and 15.2% of patients discontinued therapy because of side effects. The evaluation of treatment persistence with Mirabegron in groups with relation to gender, age and previous treatment with anticholinergic drugs did not establish statistically significant differences. However, there was a statistically significant difference between groups in relation to changes of treatment during study. At the evaluation of the efficacy of the treatment during the check-up 18 months after initiation of treatment the mean TS-VAS was 73.4, a decrease of the scale of bothers evaluated by PPBC before treatment from a mean value of 4.6 to a value of 2.7. CONCLUSIONS: In our clinical study 18 months treatment persistence with Mirabegron was 61.7%. The reasons were reduced side effects and good cure effect of the drug.

MicroRNAs in urine supernatant as potential non-invasive markers for bladder cancer detection.

Urinary bladder carcinoma contributes to 4% of newly diagnosed oncological diseases in the Czech Republic. Biomarkers for its early non-invasive detection are therefore highly desirable. Urine seems to be an ideal source of such biomarkers due to the content of cell-free nucleic acids, especially microRNAs (miRNAs).To find potential biomarkers among miRNAs in urine supernatant, we examined in total 109 individuals (36 controls and 73 bladder cancer patients) in three phases. In the first - discovery - phase, microarray cards with 381 miRNAs were used for miRNA analysis of 13 controls and 46 bladder cancer patients. In the second - verification - phase, the results of this first phase were verified on the same groups of subjects by single-target qPCR assays for the selected miRNAs. For the third - validation - phase, new independent samples of urine supernatant (23 controls and 27 bladder cancer patients) were analyzed using single-target qPCR assays for 13 verified in the previous phase. The results of all phases were normalized to miR-191, miR-28-3p, and miR-200b, which were selected as suitable for our study by the qBase+®.We found that miR-125b, miR-30b, miR-204, miR-99a, and miR-532-3p are significantly down-regulated in patients' urine supernatant. In our experiments, the analysis of miR-125 levels provided the highest AUC (0.801) with 95.65% specificity and 59.26% sensitivity, the analysis of miR-99a lead to AUC (0.738) with 82.61% specificity and 74.07% sensitivity. We demonstrate that levels of these miRNAs could potentially serve as promising diagnostic markers for the non-invasive diagnostics of bladder cancer.

[Persistence in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) with Mirabegron in a multicentre clinical study]. / Perzistence na lécbe hyperaktivního mocového mechýre (OAB) Mirabegronem v multicentrické klinické studii.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this monitoring was to evaluate persistence in the treatment of patients with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) using mirabegron. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: 10 gynecological and urological departments in CZE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an analysis of a prospective, multicenter monitoring which started in May 2014 and will continue for 1 year. This monitoring included patients 18 years old who have had symptoms of OAB for minimum 3 months. The patient check-up was performed 6 months (±2 weeks) after the first visit. The dosage of mirabegron was 50 mg per day. For the evaluation the treatment efficacy we employed the TS-VAS and PPBC. During the check-up it was ascertained how many patients discontinued the treatment with mirabegron, and reasons for this interruption were established. The statistics were calculated using the software SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: A prospective monitoring was performed on 206 patients. Their mean age was 62.8 years (range 23-89); mean body mass index for the whole group of patients was 27.3. At the check-up 6 months post-initiation of treatment it emerged that 55/206 (27%) patiens had discontinued the treatment. The reasons for discontinuation of treatment were: 24/55 (43%) insufficient treatment efficacy, 29/55 (53%) other reasons (the main reasons here were hospitalisation, surgery, gravidity) and 2/55 discontinued therapy because of side effects. The side effects were tachycardia, eye irritation, lower abdominal pain and vasculitis, and they were mild in nature. The termination of the study was 7/28 (25%) in the group of patients without previous treatment before mirabegron. Discontinuation of the treatment in the group of patients with previous anticholinergic treatment was 48/178 (27%). At the evaluation of the efficacy of the treatment during the check-up 6 months after initiation of treatment the mean TS-VAS was 77.5, a decrease of the scale of bothers evaluated by PPBC before treatment from a mean value of 3.56 to a value of 1.77. CONCLUSIONS: Our hypothesis, that persistence in treat-ment with mirabegron would be relatively high due to reduced side effects and better cure effect, was confirmed, and this is the reason for higher rates of persistence in the treatment at 6 months check-up (73%).

Trefoil factor family (TFF) proteins as potential serum biomarkers in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Trefoil factor family (TFF) is composed of three secretory proteins (TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3) that play an important role in mucosal protection of gastrointestinal tract. Their overexpression in colorectal tumors seems to be associated with more aggressive disease. We collected serum samples from 79 healthy controls and 97 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer at the time of diagnosis or at progression. Serum levels of TTF1-3, CEA and CA19-9 were measured by ELISA. Serum TFF1 and TFF3 levels were significantly higher in patients with colorectal cancer compared to healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Moreover, serum levels of TFF3 correlated with extent of liver involvement in patient without pulmonary metastases and patients with higher TFF3 levels had significantly worse outcome (p < 0.0001). Compared to CEA and CA19-9, TFF3 had higher sensitivity and the same specificity. Our results indicate that TFF3 is an effective biomarker in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with higher sensitivity than CEA a CA19-9. TFF3 levels strongly correlate with extension of liver disease and seem to have prognostic value.

The prognostic value of T1 bladder cancer substaging: a single institution retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of the depth of lamina propria invasion in patients with T1 bladder cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 200 patients were treated between the years 2002 and 2009. Tumours with depth of invasion above the muscularis mucosae level were categorised as pT1a and those with depth of invasion up to or beyond the muscularis mucosae as pT1b. RESULTS: Categorisation for pT1a and pT1b was performed in 176 of 200 patients (88%). In 10 patients a muscle-invasive tumour was found in re-transurethral resection samples. 131 (79%) of 166 analysed patients had pT1a tumour and 35 (21%) had pT1b tumour. During the follow-up, in 101 (61%) patients the tumour had recurred and in 27 (16.3%) the tumour had progressed. Of all the investigated parameters, T1 substaging (p < 0.0001), grade (p = 0.0003) and the number of bacillus Calmette-Guérin instillations (p = 0.0490) were significant in predicting progression. The only significant factor for disease-specific survival was T1 substaging in univariable (p = 0.0008) and multivariable (hazard ratio 4.407) analysis. T1 substaging (p = 0.0149) and tumour multiplicity (p = 0.0448) have a statistically significant prognostic value with respect to overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Deep invasion of the lamina propria is a significant adverse prognostic factor for tumour progression, disease-specific survival and overall survival.

Podoplanin (D2-40) is a reliable marker of urinary bladder myofibroblasts (telocytes).

Podoplanin, D2-40, has been described in a variety of normal and neoplastic tissues. It is often used for highlighting lymphatics. We evaluated the expression of podoplanin in α-smooth muscle actinpositive myofibroblasts producing the suburothelial layer in tunica propria of the urinary bladder that have some similar features with telocytes. Our results showed that these cells demonstrate distinct D2-40 immunoreactivity from telocytes occurring in the renal pelvis and ureter. We observed positive reaction not only in bioptic specimens from women with interstitial cystitis, but also in a control group of women and men treated for pathological bladder lesion different from interstitial cystitis. It is interesting that identical staining reaction was observed in the ureters only exceptionally. In addition, we examined samples from myofibroblastic tumoriform lesions of soft tissue such as nodular fascitis and fibromatosis (desmoid) and we obtained negative results. It means that the so-called myofibroblasts of urinary bladder tunica propria have a unique immunophenotype that has probably not been described until now. Our findings suggest that D2-40 can be used as a complementary immunostainer to α-smooth muscle actin on urinary bladder biopsies from patients with interstitial cystitis. The role of D2-40 as an immunohistochemical marker is still being investigated.

[Nocturia, incidence, ethiology, diagnostics]. / Epidemiologie, etiologie a diagnostika nykturie.

Nocturia is the complaint that the individual has to wake at night one or more times to void, according to the International Continence Society definition from the ICS Standardisation of Terminology Report 2002. As the nocturia definition is complicated there are also other slightly modified definitions. It is currently not absolutely clear if prevalence or incidence is more important for epidemiology evaluation of nocturia. Nocturia is a variable symptom and its presence in individuals is reversible therefore it is very difficult to obtain reliable incidence data. Nocturia prevalence varies remarkably in different studies according to evaluation methodology, nocturia definition, methods of data collection and characteristics of evaluated population. There are not enough studies, especially demographic ones, evaluating lower urinary tract symptoms and/or nocturia in males and females. There is relatively large number of comparative studies confirming strong correlation between aging and prevalence of nocturia. Prevalence of two or more voids per night in individuals in their twenties varies between 5-15 %, it progresses with age, and in the seventh decade of life ranges between 35-50 %. Prevalence evaluated by gender is higher among younger women compared to older women and older men compared to younger men. Currently there are only limited sources of data regarding nocturia incidence. Incidence of nocturia (two or more voids per night) in a population older than 60 years is 213 new cases/1000 persons/1 year in two year observation. Incidence of two or more voids per night is 75 new cases/1000 male/1 year in five year observation and 126 new cases/1000 male/1 year in ten year observation in male population. Incidence of nocturia rises significantly with age. Incidence of two or more voids per night increases by 2,7 % in the population of women after child birth during 5 year follow up and by 5,9 % during 12 year follow up. Incidence of nocturia newly diagnosed in a pregnancy drops down by 98% in 3 month after the child birth. The incidence data indicate that incidence of nocturia rises with age and probability of nocturia relief decreases with age. Incidence of mild nocturia is higher compared to incidence of severe nocturia and significant relief of nocturia in women after child birth is very inconsistent compared to increase of other lower urinary tract symptoms. Ethiology of nocturia might be polyuria, nocturnal polyuria or reduced bladder capacity. Nocturia and its ethiology can be determined in most cases with simple and commonly used investigative methods on the out-patients bases. The diagnostic algorithm should lead to verification of nocturia and identifying its cause because treatment of nocturia differs remarkably according to the etiology.

[Nocturnal polyuria, treatment with desmopressin]. / Lécba nocní polyurie desmopresinem.

UNLABELLED: Nonpharmacologic and especially pharmacologic treatment options are available for nocturnal polyuria. Desmopressin represents the basis of pharmacologic treatment. Desmopressin acetate is a synthetic analogue of arginine vasopressin with high affinity to V2 receptors with antidiuretic effect. It is the only medicament currently registered for antidiuretic treatment. Desmopressin has not any relevant affinity to V1 receptors, and therefore there is no hypertensive effect in contrary to natural vasopressin. Desmopressin use before a bedtime leads to reduced production of urine during a sleep, therefore time between desires to void is prolonged and number of nocturia is reduced. Clinical effect, in a meaning of reduced urine production and increased osmolality of urine, lasts approximately 8-12 hours. In the treatment of nocturnal polyuria desmopressin is used orally one hour before a bedtime. It is essential to titrate an ideal dose, the initial dose is 60 µg of MELT formula (fast melting oral formulation) and it can be increased according to the clinical effect up to the maximal recommended daily dose 240 µg. Patients treated with desmopressin should cut down a fluid intake 1 hour before and 8 hours after the use of desmopressin. Total number of adverse events connected withdesmopressin treatment in clinical studies was higher compared to placebo but the side effects were mostly mild. The most common adverse events were headaches, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dry mouth and hyponatremia both in the short-term and long-term clinical trials. Hyponatremia was observed mainly in patients over 65 year of age. Therefore treatment with desmopressin should not be commended in patients over 65 year of age without close monitoring of the natrium level in serum and all patients should be informed about the first symptoms of hyponatremia - headache, nausea and insomnia. According to Evidence Based Medicine, the level of evidence for treatment of nocturnal polyuria with desmopressin is 1b and the grade of recommendation for treatment is A. KEYWORDS: nocturnal polyuria - treatment - desmopressin.

Prostate-sparing radical cystectomy for selected patients with bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To review the current literature about prostate-sparing radical cystectomy (PSRC) and its potential for management of a selected population of patients with bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus databases were searched for the key words 'prostate', 'sparing' and 'cystectomy' between 1984 and 2012. Articles in English, French and German were considered relevant for review. Institutional experience with this procedure was also included. RESULTS: PSRC remains a controversial procedure for the treatment of patients harboring bladder carcinoma, mainly due to insufficient knowledge of clear indications and/or contraindications. Experience with PSRC is still limited to very few referral centers and there is a lack of large series with long-term outcomes. The potential for excellent functional outcomes must be carefully balanced against inconsistent oncological results. CONCLUSIONS: PSRC may become an option for carefully selected and extensively informed patients. Suggestions for possible indications and contraindications are presented.

[Current state of diagnostics and treatment of overactive bladder in the Czech Republic - five years ago and today]. / Diagnostika a lécba hyperaktivního mocového mechýre v Ceské republice pred peti lety a dnes.

INTRODUCTION: Overactive bladder (OAB) presents one of the most frequent medical problems among the current adult population, with a significant impact on the quality of life of the affected patients. A questionnaire survey was carried out in 2006, with the aim to assess the level of knowledge regarding the problem of OAB among gynaecologists and urologists in the Czech republic, as well as to evaluate the currently applied methods of OAB diagnostics and treatment. The aim of this work was to perform a repeated survey after five years, and to evaluate, whether there have been any changes achieved in the monitored parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 290 respondents (181 gynaecologists, 109 urologists) were included in the survey in 2006; the study group in 2011 included a total of 285 respondents (180 gynaecologists, 105 urologists). The questionnaire used for the survey in 2011 was identical to the document utilized in the initial survey performed five years ago, with minimal changes. The anonymous questionnaire was designed as "multiple-choice", i.e. with a possible selection from proposed answers; the questions were targeted at the topics of definition, diagnostics and therapy of OAB. The obtained results were processed with the methods of descriptive statistics; the concordance of proportions was evaluated with the Fishers exact test. RESULTS: A total of 114 gynaecologists (63.3%), and 65 urologists (61.9%) were able to determine the correct definition of OAB, which presents a significant increase when compared to 2006 (p<0.0001). The most frequently applied methods of OAB diagnostics were patient history (gynaecologists: 97.8% in 2011 vs. 96.5% in 2006, urologists: 99.0% in 2011 vs. 99.0% in 2006), local examination (gynaecologists: 57.8% vs. 76.4%, urologists: 86.7% vs. 87.2%), bladder diaries (gynaecologists: 62.8% vs. 40.3%, urologists: 79.0% vs. 60.5%), and urine examination (gynaecologists: 71.1% vs. 82.3%, urologists: 96.2% vs. 97.1%). Anticholinergic medication is the first-choice in the OAB treatment in our conditions, which has been confirmed by 146 (81.1%) gynaecologists, and 89 (84.4%) urologists. In cases when the physicians use anticholinergic medication for the treatment of OAB, the first-choice medication is trospium, among both gynaecologists and urologists. In case of failure of the first-choice treatment, twenty-six (14.4%) gynaecologists from the addressed respondents try to continue with a treatment according to their own decision, 154 (85.6%) gynaecologists refer the patient to a specialist. Similarly, a total of 90 (85.7%) urologists try to manage the further course of treatment by their own means, 15 urologists (14.3%) refer the patient to a specialist. CONCLUSION: The level of understanding and awareness about the problem of OAB among the Czech gynaecologists and urologists has significantly improved during the past five years. The applied diagnostic and treatment methods for OAB are being harmonized with the International Continence Society (ICS) recommendations. Taking into consideration the prevalence of OAB among the population, it is desirable to increase the number of clinical departments who deal with the problem of OAB in a complex manner. The remaining significant task lies in the improvement of foreknowledge about the current possibilities and effectiveness of the OAB treatment among the patient population.

Mycobacterium marinum epididymoorchitis: case report and literature review.

Mycobacterium marinum is the most frequent non-tuberculous Mycobacterium in humans. We report the first ever described case of epididymoorchitis resulting from hematogenous spread of M. marinum from hand oligoarthritis. This was initially mistaken for rheumatoid disease and methylprednisolone-induced immunosuppression led to hematogenous spread of infection to the testis and epididymis.

[Prevalence of women with overactive bladders in the Czech Republic]. / Prevalence zen s hyperaktivním mocovým mechýrem v Ceské republice.

INTRODUCTION: The term OAB (overactive bladder) was introduced in praxis in the year 2002 by Abrams. This term includes symptoms of urgency, with or without urgent incontinence, and it is generally accompanied by urinary frequency and nocturia. OAB is widespread among our female population. Approximately 20% of women suffer from this problem, but the frequency of the syndrome has not been assessed more precisely by means of questionnaires. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of OAB among patients who visited gynecologists in the first line and completed the Bladder Control Self Assessment Questionnaire (BCSAQ). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five gynecologists in the first line questioned 492 consecutive patients as to whether they suffered from urgency, frequency, nocturia and urgent incontinence, and their answers were later evaluated. The BCSA questionnaires completed by the patients in the waiting room before seeing the doctor were subsequently also evaluated. RESULTS: Due to inquiries made by the gynecologist, 320 patients took the BCSA questionnaires in the waiting room before seeing the doctor, and 314 completed them; 14 patients completed the questionnaires after seeing the doctor who questioned them about problems with urgency. The patients then handed the completed questionnaires to the nurse, i.e. the total of 328 questionnaires were assessed. 159 patients suffered from urgency, and 35% of these patients had problems with leakage of urine. In reply to the question: Is it difficult to hold urine when you have the urge to go? 22% of patients from the whole group of patients (n = 492) answered yes. 24% of patients had problems with frequency, 32% with nocturia and 14% with urgent incontinence. CONCLUSION: OAB syndrome is widespread in our population; it constitutes a major problem which must be treated. Awareness of this problem has now improved; patients feel less embarrassed to discuss about problem, and increasingly they seek treatment, while at the same time gynecologists have improved their knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of OAB. This means that the quality of life for these patients can be improved.

Occurrence of overactive bladder in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia in the Czech Republic.

INTRODUCTION: Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to prostatic hyperplasia is often accompanied by overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, which often disappear after specific BOO pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to map out the spectrum in BOO pharmacotherapy to find out the occurrence of OAB in this population and to find its treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Follow-up consists of a retrospective and a prospective part, which includes all the patient's data related to the lower urinary tract symptoms in BOO and OAB. In all, 654 data record forms were distributed during the study and 98% of those were validated. RESULTS: According to our observations, alpha-blockers were used most frequently at the beginning of BOO treatment (73%), followed by phytopharmaca (19.9%) and finally finasteride (5.5%). If the treatment is changed, the proportion of finasteride increases. Only a small number of patients with BOO and OAB are treated in combination with antimuscarinics. CONCLUSIONS: A combined therapy (alpha-blocker + antimuscarinics) is effective in a majority of men with infravesical obstruction and symptoms of OAB. However, OAB in our study was primarily underdiagnosed in almost 50% of all patients treated for LUTS.

Statistical analysis of symptoms, endoscopy and urothelial morphology in 58 female bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis patients.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of the study was to assess the course of painful syndrome in patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis and to assess the changes in endoscopic and histopathological findings in relation to the type of treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included a total of 58 patients with histologically diagnosed interstitial cystitis. Out of these, 31 patients were treated with oral pharmacotherapy and 27 patients were treated by intravesical application of heparin. The patients were followed from time of diagnosis for 6.9 +/- 2.5 and 6.6 +/- 2.7 years, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment - irrespective of its type - had a clear demonstrable effect on the monitored parameters; intravesical treatment was more effective than oral. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) changes could be observed in both groups (with two exceptions). When evaluating the relationship between subjective symptoms and objective criteria, and patients' age and time to diagnosis, it is clear that the higher the age and the longer the time from symptoms to diagnosis, the more severe the symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: When evaluating the monitored parameters, we found significant correlations (both positive and negative). However, these relationships cannot be used to simplify the evaluation algorithm (according to ESSIC) and the initial criteria cannot predict the course of the disease.

[Primary synovial sarcoma of the kidney]. / Primární synoviální sarkom ledviny--popis dvou prípadu.

The authors present two cases of primary synovial sarcoma of the kidney. Both patients had a tumor mass in the kidney with vascular invasion of the inferior vena cava and right atrium of the heart in case no. 1. In case no. 2 retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis and multiple metastases to both lungs were observed. Radical nephrectomies were performed in both patients. Histologically, the tumor in case no. 1 was monophasic and in case no. 2 poorly differentiated. Immunohistochemically, vimentin was diffusely positive and a few tumor cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen. The tumor cells were negative for keratins, S- 100 protein, CD 34, smooth muscle actin, and desmin. In both cases, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using ribonucleic acid extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues detected SYT-SSX 1 fusion gene transcripts, which are characteristic molecular findings of synovial sarcoma.

[Radical cystectomy in the treatment for bladder carcinoma: results of 125 operated patients]. / Radikální cystektomie u pacientu s nádory mocového mechýre--výsledky u 125 operovaných pacientu.

BACKGROUND: Radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and urinary diversion is standard treatment in patients with muscle-invasive and selected high-risk superficial bladder cancers. The aim of our study was to evaluate oncological results and correlate prognosis with the extent of the disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data of 125 patients (33 females and 92 males) with mean age of 59.8 years were analysed. Histological diagnosis was urothelial carcinoma in 114, squamous cell carcinoma in 8 and small-cell carcinoma in 3 patients respectively. During the mean follow-up of 22.4 months the disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were evaluated according to the extent of the disease. Tumours were classified as pTa, pT1, pTis in 31 (24.8%), as pT2 in 39 (31.2%), as pT3 in 24 (19.2%) and pT4 in 20 (16%) patients respectively. There was no tumour detected in the specimen in 11 (8.8%) of cases (pT0). Lymph node metastases were confirmed in 36 (28.8%) of patients. Three-year DFS and DSS were 100% and 100% in pT0, 76% and 87.1% in pTa, pT1, pTis, 69.2% and 82.9% in pT2, 32.9% and 62.4% in pT3 and 39.5% and 36.8% in pT4 tumours respectively (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0004). Three-year DFS and DSS reached 69.4% and 51.8% in patients with negative lymph nodes and 51.8% and 44.8% in patients with lymph node involvement (p = 0.0008, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: DFS and DSS after radical cystectomy depend from the local extent of the tumour and from lymph node status, which is a strong argument for its timely indication.