Cross-cultural translation into Chinese and psychometric evaluation of a screening tool for nocturia: the Targeting the individual's Aetiology of Nocturia to Guide Outcomes (TANGO) questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: We conducted translation and psychometric validation of a self-administered, 22-item dichotomous response-based questionnaire to identify nocturia aetiologies and co-morbidities in adult patients. METHODS: The Targeting the individual's Aetiology of Nocturia to Guide Outcomes (TANGO) questionnaire was forward- and backward-translated, then finalised using a standardised methodology. The resulting version, a Chinese version of the TANGO [TANGO (CV)], was evaluated for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity, convergent validity, criterion validity, and discriminant validity via responses from 65 participants (46 men and 19 women; mean age, 67 years, range, 50-88), in comparison with other validated questionnaires and a 4-day bladder/sleep diary. RESULTS: Only 0.4% of responses were missing; 3% of participants required assistance with comprehension. The Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) coefficient for the whole tool was 0.711. Kappa values for individual domains and the whole tool varied from 0.871 to 0.866, indicating satisfactory test-retest reliability. There was strong agreement between the sum of positive responses to each domain and the whole tool (intra-class correlation coefficient=0.878-1.000). Modest correlations (ρ=0.4-0.6) were detected between the tool and bladder/sleep diary-based parameters for convergent validity. Criterion validity was confirmed for each domain and the whole tool [ρ=0.287-0.687]. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, the tool could distinguish patients (≥2 nocturia episodes/night) from controls (≤1 nocturia episode/night) [Youden's J statistic=0.453, area under the curve=0.818, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.683-0.953] and patients with significant nocturia distress from patients with mild nocturia distress (Youden's J statistic=0.398, area under the curve=0.729, 95% CI=0.581-0.878). CONCLUSION: The TANGO (CV) was formally crossculturally adapted and translated. Its psychometric properties (except sensitivity to change) were validated.

Attitudes, acceptance, and registration in relation to organ donation in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to investigate the discrepancy between individuals with positive attitudes towards organ donation and the actual number of registered organ donors in Hong Kong, and to investigate the best modalities for promoting more organ donor registrations. METHODS: This cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in Hong Kong. Telephone numbers were selected randomly. Upon successful contact with a household, the eligible household member who had the most recent birthday was selected to participate in the telephone interview. RESULTS: A total of 1000 Hong Kong Chinese residents were interviewed successfully. The response rate was 53.8%. The majority of the respondents were female (68.3%) and were aged 51 to 60 years (24%) or ≥61 years (43.6%). Among the respondents, 31.3% were willing to donate their organs after death; 43.3% were indecisive, and 25.4% refused. Among those who were willing to donate organs after death, only 34.2% had registered with the Centralised Organ Donation Register (CODR). Among those who were willing to donate organs after death but had not yet registered on CODR, 52.2% said they were not determined enough to take action, 47.8% said they were too busy, 37.8% said they were too lazy, and 20.4% said they were always forgetful about registering. In all, 32.8% of the interviewees were not aware of the ways to register as a prospective organ donor. Among non-messenger social media platforms, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram were the most commonly used. Most participants believed that Facebook and YouTube were effective for engaging audiences. CONCLUSIONS: More effort should be made to facilitate organ donor registration in face-to-face settings via promotional booths and in online settings via appropriate social media platforms.

Survey on prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in an Asian population.

INTRODUCTION: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have a strong effect on socio-economic and individual quality of life. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of LUTS in an Asian population. METHODS: A telephone survey of individuals aged ≥40 years and of Chinese ethnicity was conducted. The survey included basic demographics, medical and health history, drinking habits, International Prostate Symptom Score, overactive bladder symptom score, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score, and Short Form (SF)-12v2 score. RESULTS: From March to May 2017, 18 881 calls were made, of which 1543 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In the end, 1000 successful respondents were recruited (302 men and 698 women). Age-adjusted prevalence of overactive bladder syndrome was 15.1%. The older the respondent, the more prevalent the storage symptoms and voiding symptoms (storage symptoms: r=0.434, P<0.001; voiding symptom: r=0.190, P<0.001). Presence of hypertension and diabetes were found to be significantly and positively correlated with storage and voiding symptoms. Storage and voiding symptoms were found to affect PHQ-9 scores (storage symptoms: r=0.257, P<0.001; voiding symptoms: r=0.275, P<0.001) and SF-12v2 scores (storage symptoms: r=0.467, P<0.001; voiding symptoms: r=0.335; P<0.001). Nocturia was the most prominent symptom among patients who sought medical help for their LUTS. CONCLUSIONS: Lower urinary tract symptoms are common in Asian populations. Both storage and voiding symptoms have a negative impact on mental health and general well-being of individuals.

Incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: a prospective study in Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Chinese patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) for prostate cancer and the need for prophylactic anticoagulation. METHODS: From August 2007 to September 2010, patients with prostate cancer undergoing RALP in our center were prospectively recruited for the study. Perioperative parameters, including patients' age, disease stage and pathology, and intraoperative findings were collected. All patients underwent Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of their bilateral lower limbs on postoperation day 3 for any evidence of DVT. The incidence of and possible predisposing factors for DVT were determined. RESULTS: One hundred and nine consecutive patients were recruited during the study period. The incidence rate of post-RALP DVT was 16.9 % (18 cases), with only one patient (1 %) developing above-knee DVT. No patient developed DVT-associated complications during follow-up. Patients with DVT were older (69.2 ± 4.4 vs. 65 ± 5.8 years old; p = 0.05), had greater intraoperative blood loss (775 vs. 264.7 ml; p = 0.001) and required lengthier hospitalization (8.1 vs. 6.0 days; p = 0.013). However, no difference in smoking history, body mass index, history of diabetes, lymph node dissection or disease stage was observed between patients with and without DVT. CONCLUSIONS: The post-RALP incidence of DVT in Chinese populations is not low. However, the majority of DVT cases are below the knee level and asymptomatic.

Lower urinary tract changes in young adults using ketamine.

PURPOSE: We identified the profile of lower urinary tract changes in ketamine users in the community. In addition, we identified the relative risks of dose, frequency of ingestion and duration of ketamine use for changes in lower urinary tract function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mobile medical assessment service was established at specific youth centers, and subjects who were known to social workers and who had a history of ketamine use were invited to participate in health screening. Lower urinary tract function was evaluated using the Pelvic Pain, Urgency and Frequency questionnaire, and uroflowmetry and ultrasonography. RESULTS: Use of ketamine more than 3 times weekly was significantly associated with lower voided volumes. Pelvic Pain, Urgency and Frequency questionnaire scores were significantly higher for ketamine use for more than 24 months compared to use for short durations (7.82 vs 6.00). The scores on the symptom and bother subscales of the Pelvic Pain, Urgency and Frequency questionnaire decreased progressively with increased duration of abstinence. For individuals after 1 year of abstinence the Pelvic Pain, Urgency and Frequency questionnaire scores were significantly lower and voided volumes were higher than those for active users. CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine users with at least a 2-year habit of 3 or more hits per week have altered bladder function that can be recognized and that causes bother. These early functional changes have the potential to normalize after 1 year of ketamine abstinence. This study provides a basis for the development of health promotion material that can be used in the community by welfare workers seeking to encourage drug cessation.

Short-term outcome of patients with robot-assisted versus open radical prostatectomy: for localised carcinoma of prostate.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term outcome of patients undergoing robot-assisted versus open radical prostatectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: A university teaching hospital in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Twenty consecutive cases having robot-assisted radical prostatectomy were compared with the last 20 cases of open radical prostatectomy (prior to November 2005 when the robotic system was introduced). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perioperative functional evaluation (with special emphasis on continence) and oncological evaluation (included margin studies and prostate-specific antigen levels). RESULTS: Regarding baseline clinical characteristics of the patients, there was no statistically significant difference between the robotic and open radical prostatectomy groups. For perioperative outcome, in the robotic group the blood transfusion rate was significantly lower (5 vs 65%), hospital stay was shorter (8 vs 17 days), and the catheter time was shorter (12 vs 18 days). For early oncological outcome, there was no statistically significant difference in the margin positive rate and early prostate-specific antigen results. Regarding continence (use of 0-1 pads/day), it was achieved by 95% in the robotic group with a mean follow-up of 6 months compared to 85% in the open group with a mean follow-up of 42 months. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy offered the benefits of a minimally invasive operation with less blood loss, shorter catheter time and hospital stay, and earlier continence. It has therefore become the preferred surgical option in our institution.