Evolution of erectile dysfunction in individuals infected with human T-lymphotropic virus 1: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Virtually all patients with human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) have some degree of erectile dysfunction (ED), but ED is also found in a large percentage of HTLV-1 carriers. AIM: To evaluate the evolution of ED in individuals infected with HTLV-1 who were followed for up to 15 years. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included men infected with HTLV-1 who had ED, were aged 18 to 70 years, and were followed from January 2004 to December 2019. We used the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), the Expanded Disability Status Scale and Osame Motor Disability Scale, and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) to define and stratify ED, neurologic disability, and bladder dysfunction, respectively. OUTCOMES: Time to development of severe ED was the main outcome. RESULTS: We studied 90 men with ED (mean ± SD age, 52.8 ± 9.78 years). At baseline, 42 were carriers, 16 had probable HAM/TSP, and 32 had definite HAM/TSP. IIEF-5 was highest among carriers and lowest in patients with definite HAM/TSP, whereas OABSS was lowest in carriers and highest in patients with definite HAM/TSP. Median (IQR) follow-up was 8.50 years (3.00-12.00). IIEF-5 fell significantly from baseline to last follow-up among carriers and patients with probable and definite HAM/TSP. There was an inverse correlation between the IIEF-5 and the OABSS at last follow-up (r = -0.62, P < .001). In survival analysis, the time to development of severe ED was significantly shorter in patients with definite HAM/TSP when compared with carriers (P = .001) and those with probable HAM/TSP (P = .014). The presence of definite HAM/TSP at baseline was independently associated with the development of severe ED, after adjustment for baseline age and proviral load (hazard ratio, 6.74; P = .008). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Formal assessment of erectile function should be part of the routine clinical assessment of individuals infected with HTLV-1; worsening erectile function should alert clinicians to the possibility of neurologic deterioration. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This is the first prospective cohort study to describe the course of ED in men infected with HTLV-1. The small sample size and absence of seronegative controls are limitations. CONCLUSION: ED is a slowly progressive clinical manifestation of HTLV-1 infection, and the degree of neurologic compromise at baseline is the main predictor of time to progression to severe ED.

Practical and intuitive surgical approach renal ranking to predict outcomes in the management of renal tumors: a novel score tool.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Surgery continues to be the main form of treatment for patients with renal tumors. We create a more practical and intuitive score for renal tumor classification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty patients underwent surgery for renal tumors and were prospectively enrolled. The tumors were classified using the following variables: (1) tumor size, (2) endophytic or exophytic tumor, (3) longitudinal location of the tumor, (4) the extent of the impairment of the renal parenchyma, (5) relationship with the renal sinus, and (6) anterior or posterior. RESULTS: The mean operative time, tumor size,and bleeding increased proportionally to the increased complexity of the tumor measured by scores (P<0.0001, P<0.0001, and P=0.036, respectively). The mean total score was 8.7 points for patients undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN) and 14.4 points for those undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN) (P<0.0001). Patients with larger tumors, completely endophytic, which exceeded the renal medulla, and were centrally located, underwent RN more often (86.7% - P<0.0001, 64% - P=0.01, 77% - P<0.0001, and 78.9% - P<0.0001, respectively). In univariate analysis, RN was associated with tumors larger than 7 cm (P=0.001), tumors that exceeded the renal medullary (<0.001), centrally located tumors (odds ration [OR]=150, P<0.001), and tumors of high complexity (P<0.001). Analysis showed no association between complications and variables in the score. The findings were similar when the tumors were evaluated with the R.E.N.A.L. score system. CONCLUSION: Surgical Approach Renal Ranking is a simple, practical and intuitive classification for renal tumors that can be used in the decision-making process and to predict outcomes in the surgical treatment of patients with renal tumors.

Immunologic response and proviral load in human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 infected individuals with erectile dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immune response and proviral load in individuals with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and erectile dysfunction (ED) compared with those in the controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 102 men aged 18-70 years with positive serology for HTLV-1, who were interviewed from 2004 to 2010. The study sample was divided into 2 groups: group 1, 42 HTLV-1-infected men with ED, as determined by the International Index of Erectile Function-5 score; and group 2, 60 HTLV-1-infected men without ED. The cytokines interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α, and the proviral load were analyzed between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Compared with those without ED, the men with ED had greater levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (545.37 ± 877.06 vs 509.39 ± 724.70 pg/mL) and interferon-γ (1154.35 ± 1282.98 vs 1122.78 ± 1573.16 pg/mL), but this difference was not significant (P = .69 and P = .57, respectively). The proviral load was 135,695 ± 190,113 copies/10(5) cells in the ED group and 47,607 ± 83,129 copies/10(5) cells in the non-ED patients, with a statistically significant difference (P = .02). When ED was stratified as mild, moderate, and severe, no difference was found in the proviral load among the ED groups (P = .09); however, the levels were greater in the severe forms. CONCLUSION: The association of a greater proviral load in men with ED with HTLV-1 gives support to the idea that ED is part of the autonomic syndrome related to viral infection and should be investigated for early identification of the syndrome.

Detrusor Arreflexia as an End Stage of Neurogenic Bladder in HAM/TSP?

The HTLV-1 virus is a known agent involved in the development of HAM/TSP. Past studies have typically observed patients with autonomic dysfunction consisting of detrusor overactivity and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, with the occasional observation of underactive detrusor or detrusor arreflexia. However, studies have not yet evaluated the progression of neurogenic bladder over time. In this paper, we describe a HAM/TSP patient with the initial development of overactive detrusor, and subsequent development of detrusor arreflexia. Given a paucity of studies characterizing the effects of HTLV-1 on the autonomic nervous system, particularly aspects controlling continence, this patient's clinical course may represent one type of end point for patients with HAM/TSP and neurogenic bladder. Further cohort or case-series studies, with particular emphasis on the progression of neurogenic bladder, are needed to evaluate the significance of this described case in relation to typical disease progression patterns.

Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: • To review the evidence in support of the effectiveness of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: • Relevant studies were identified by performing a literature search using MEDLINE® and The Cochrane Library®. The criteria used during the search included randomized, placebo-controlled trials of treatment for LUTS secondary to BPH using the International Prostate Symptom Score as an outcome measure. RESULTS: • Four trials that included a total of 1928 patients met the inclusion criteria. All four studies showed a statistically significant difference in the International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life and erectile function in favour of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. • No study showed a statistically significant improvement of the maximum urinary flow. • Meta-analysis of the results was not possible because of heterogeneity across the studies. CONCLUSIONS: • Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors used in the clinical setting can significantly improve LUTS secondary to BPH, erectile function and quality of life. Maximum urinary flow improvement is not statistically significant. • Future research should focus on pathophysiological principles and cost analysis.