Maternity Leave Satisfaction Among Physicians Compared with Nonphysician Professionals.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare maternity leave satisfaction between physicians and nonphysicians. Currently, paid maternal leave is not guaranteed in the United States, resulting in palpable dissatisfaction among parents. Previous studies have shown associations between length of paid leave and career satisfaction and maternal happiness. Materials and Methods: A Qualtrics® electronic survey was distributed to female professionals through email and social media from April 2019 to March 2020. Inclusion criterion was ≥1 child by birth or adoption, or active pregnancy. Continuous and categorical data were analyzed using two-sample t-test and chi-square, respectively. Results: Of 808 respondents, 77% were physicians. Mean age at birth/adoption of first child was higher in physicians versus nonphysicians (32.1 years vs. 29.7 years; p < 0.001). Physicians took shorter maternity leave than nonphysicians (10.9 weeks vs. 12.0 weeks, p = 0.017) with half of that time paid by employers (5.4 weeks vs. 5.9 weeks, p = 0.2). Dissatisfaction was high among physicians (85.1%) and nonphysicians (92.4%) that correlates with maternity leave compensation dissatisfaction (49% vs. 71.3%, p < 0.001). Thirty-four percent of physicians versus 41% of nonphysicians stated that their health was negatively impacted by maternity leave length. Physicians and nonphysicians reported similar incidences of depression, and breastfeeding, delivery, and other postpartum complications. When queried, 38.8% of physicians and 57% of nonphysicians said they would desire >16 weeks of paid maternity leave (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, dissatisfaction among professional women on maternity leave duration and compensation is high in the United States. Given health implications for both mother and child, this should invite further discussion and changes.

Fibrin microthrombi in bladder urothelium after SARS-CoV-2 infection: Case report.

A 45-year-old male with diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia was referred to urology due to persistent symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, erectile dysfunction, and constant pain localized to the bladder, pelvis, and perineal area, 3-4 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. A bladder biopsy showed urothelial mucosa and submucosa with hemorrhage and fibrin microthrombi in blood vessels. Hydrodistention of the bladder and pelvic floor physical therapy resolved symptoms, though bladder and pain symptoms returned upon reinfection with SARS-CoV-2. Urinalysis revealed elevated urinary interleukin-8, which may indicate localized bladder inflammation.

Incidence of New or Worsening Overactive Bladder Among Patients with a Prior SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Cohort Study.

Background: Literature is sparse on COVID-19-associated cystitis (CAC), a novel condition comprising frequency, urgency, and nocturia after COVID-19 infection. Objective: To determine the incidence of CAC and correlation with SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels. Design setting and participants: This was a retrospective study in which urinary symptoms were scored using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-overactive bladder (ICIQ-OAB) at three time points: before the pandemic (January 2020), 2 mo after COVID-19 infection (if applicable), and at the time of the study (May 2021). The setting was a regional health care system. The 18 785 healthcare employees who took part in the BLAST COVID study group were invited to participate, of whom 1895 responded. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The outcome measured was the percentage of COVID-positive patients with a significant change on ICIQ-OAB over time. Pearson's χ2 test was used for comparison of categorical data, and one-way analysis of variance for continuous data and multivariate analysis. A sample size of 618 was calculated for power of 80% and α = 0.05. Results and limitations: Of the 1895 participants, 31.9% (n = 605) were positive for COVID-19 according to positive serology or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Of these, 492 were PCR-positive and had 2-mo postinfection data, with 36.4% (179/492) reporting an increase of ≥1 point on the ICIQ-OAB compared to baseline (before the pandemic), with de novo OAB in 22% of these cases (40/179). Comparison of symptoms between baseline and the study time revealed that 27.4% (31/113) of those with positive serology only (asymptomatic COVID) and 37.8% (186/492) of those with PCR positivity (symptomatic COVID) had an increase of ≥1 point on the ICIQ-OAB, compared to 15.8% (n = 204) of uninfected patients, with odds ratios of 2.013 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.294-3.138; p = 0.0015) and 3.236 (95% CI 2.548-4.080; p < 0.0001), respectively. The retrospective nature of the study and the volunteer sample are limitations. Conclusions: COVID-19 infection increases the risk of developing new or worsening OAB symptoms. Patient summary: We compared overactive bladder symptoms in a large group of participants between individuals with and without a previous COVID-19 infection. We found that symptomatic infection was associated with a three times greater risk of developing new or worsening overactive bladder symptoms among COVID-19 patients.

A modified Altis® mid-urethral sling that allows immediate post-operative adjustment: experience in 197 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The transobturator mid-urethral Altis® "mini-sling" uses a static and a dynamic anchor on either end of a pulley suture for intraoperative tension adjustment. Given the potential for incorrect tensioning with sling placement, we adopted a modification for post-operative adjustment should stress urinary incontinence (SUI) persist. The objective is to describe technique, rate of postoperative adjustment driven by patient symptoms, and impact of preoperative/intraoperative variables. METHODS: In this single-surgeon experience, retrospective chart review, demographic and clinical data were collected on patients who received the Altis® sling for SUI between 2014 and 2019. We used descriptive statistics and three-group comparison tests to assess difference in variables among tightening, loosening, or no adjustment. RESULTS: Altis® sling placement was performed on 197 female patients with an average age of 58.7 years. Eighty-four percent (165/197) did not receive post-operative adjustment. Of the 32 patients with post-operative adjustment, 8 (4.1%) had loosening and 24 (12.2%) had tightening at an average of 10.5 days post-operatively. All tightening procedures were done in the clinic. Of the 8 patients with post-operative loosening, 6 were performed in clinic and 2 in the operating room. Preoperative and intraoperative variables were not significantly different among tightening, loosening, and no adjustment cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: This modification of the Altis® sling provides surgeons with the ability to tighten and loosen the sling for persistent SUI. All tightening and most loosening procedures were able to be performed in the clinic. The ability to easily tighten a sling in the early post-operative period may be a critical advantage.

Initial experience using a novel nerve stimulator for the management of pudendal neuralgia.

AIMS: In patients with pudendal neuralgia, prior studies have shown efficacy in chronic stimulation with Interstim® (Medtronic, Inc.). This feasibility study reports on the initial experience of using a wireless system to power an implanted lead at the pudendal nerve, StimWave®, to treat pudendal neuralgia. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified patients with a lead placed at the pudendal nerve for neuralgia and powered wirelessly. Clinical outcomes were assessed at Postoperative visits and phone calls. Administered non-validated follow-up questionnaire evaluated the Global Response Assessment, percentage of pain improvement, satisfaction with device, and initial and current settings of the device (h/day of stimulation). RESULTS: Thirteen patients had the StimWave® lead placed at the pudendal nerve, 12 (92%) female and 1 (7.6%) male. Mean age was 50 years (range: 20-58). Failed prior therapies include medical therapy (100%), pelvic floor physical therapy (92%), pudendal nerve blocks (85%), pelvic floor muscle trigger point injections (69%), neuromodulation (30.7%), or surgeries for urogenital pain (23.1%). After the trial period, 10/13 (76.9%) had >50% improvement in pain with 6/13 (46.1%) reporting 100% pain improvement. Nine underwent permanent lead placement. At last postoperative visit (range, 6-83 days), 5/9 patients reported >50% pain improvement. Seven patients reached for phone calls (22-759 days) reported symptoms to be "markedly improved" (n = 2), "moderately improved" (n = 4), or "slightly improved" (n = 1). At follow up, complications included lead migration (n = 2), broken wire (n = 1), or nonfunctioning antenna (n = 2). CONCLUSION: Complex patients with pudendal neuralgia may benefit from pudendal nerve stimulation via StimWave®.