Male fertility preservation in oncology: patients' profile and clinical guidance importance / Preservação de fertilidade masculina em oncologia: perfil dos pacientes e importância da orientação clínica

AIMS: To evaluate the profile of men with cancer who performed semen cryopreservation prior/during treatment and address the importance of this method for reproductive health. METHODS: This was a transversal and retrospective study which used a database from a Reproductive Medicine Center located in Brazil. A total of 150 male patients who performed semen cryopreservation due to cancer diagnosis, from January 2014 to December 2017, were included. RESULTS: The profile of men seeking fertility preservation prior/during treatment for cancer was young adults, single, childless, with higher education. Oncologists were the ones who reported more patients for semen cryopreservation followed by urologists and hematologists. With regards to tumor diagnosis frequency, testicular was the most diagnosed, followed by Hodgkin's/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, prostate and rectal tumor, along with retroperitoneal tumor. CONCLUSION: Data brought the reflection on the cultural and financial barriers involved for the accomplishment of cryopreservation. Health professionals attending cancer patients should consider the importance of educational and incentive activities to prevent male fertility. Future research on the subject should carried out.

OBJETIVO: Conhecer o perfil dos homens portadores de neoplasias malignas que preservaram sua fertilidade através da técnica de criopreservação de sêmen. METODOLOGIA: A amostra foi composta por 150 pessoas do sexo masculino que realizaram a criopreservação de sêmen no período de janeiro de 2014 a dezembro de 2017. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo, transversal onde foram utilizados dados secundários de um banco de dados de um Centro de Medicina Reprodutiva situado em Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demostraram que o perfil dos homens com câncer que realizaram a criopreservação de sêmen é, em sua maioria, de jovens adultos, solteiros, sem filhos, que estão preocupados em manter sua capacidade reprodutiva após a terapêutica oncológica. CONCLUSÃO: O conhecimento do perfil de pacientes que buscam a preservação dos gametas em casos de doenças oncológicas pode contribuir para o entendimento e possível sugestão de indicação pelos profissionais envolvidos neste tipo de abordagem.

Magnetic spheres as foreign body into the bladder.

INTRODUCTION: A great variety of foreign bodies in the lower urinary tract have been described; many of them are self-inflicted by the patient with masturbatory purposes. Depending on the nature of the foreign body the diagnostic and management might be challenging. AIMS: We report a case of an unusual magnetic self-inserted foreign body into the bladder for autoerotism and briefly discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic implications in this challenging situation. METHODS: We describe all the steps we have used to adequately diagnose the problem, describe the foreign body and treatments for the patient. Related articles were found by utilizing the PubMed database and are summarized in this study. RESULTS: The management approach must be planned according to the nature of the foreign body and should minimize bladder and urethral trauma. However, most of cases can be managed endoscopically. CONCLUSION: Removal of magnetic foreign body may be quite challenging, requiring high-level surgical skills and minimally invasive techniques resulting in fast recovery and low complication rate.

Usefulness of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) rise as a marker of prostate cancer in men treated with dutasteride: lessons from the REDUCE study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if dutasteride-treated men can be monitored safely and adequately for prostate cancer based on data from the Reduction by Dutasteride in Prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) study. To analyse whether the use of treatment-specific criteria for repeat biopsy maintains the usefulness of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level for detecting high grade cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The REDUCE study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of whether dutasteride (0.5 mg/day) reduced the risk of biopsy-detectable prostate cancer in men with a previous negative biopsy. The usefulness of PSA was evaluated using biopsy thresholds defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines in the placebo group and any rise in PSA from nadir (the lowest PSA level achieved while in the study) in the dutasteride group. The number of cancers detected on biopsy in the absence of increased/suspicious PSA level as well as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for high grade prostate cancer detection were analysed by treatment group. Prostate cancer pathological characteristics were compared between men who did and did not meet biopsy thresholds. RESULTS: Of 8231 men randomized, 3305 (dutasteride) and 3424 (placebo) underwent at least one prostate biopsy during the study and were included in the analysis. If only men meeting biopsy thresholds underwent biopsy, 25% (47/191) of Gleason 7 and 24% (7/29) of Gleason 8-10 cancers would have been missed in the dutasteride group, and 37% (78/209) of Gleason 7 and 22% (4/18) Gleason 8-10 cancers would have been missed in the placebo group. In both groups, the incidence of Gleason 7 and Gleason 8-10 cancers generally increased with greater rises in PSA. Sensitivity of PSA kinetics was higher and specificity was lower for the detection of Gleason 7-10 cancers in men treated with dutasteride vs placebo. Men with Gleason 7 and Gleason 8-10 cancer meeting biopsy thresholds had greater numbers of positive cores, percent core involvement, and biopsy cancer volume vs men not meeting thresholds. CONCLUSION: Using treatment-specific biopsy thresholds, the present study shows that the ability of PSA kinetics to detect high grade prostate cancer is maintained with dutasteride compared with placebo in men with a previous negative biopsy. The sensitivity of PSA kinetics with dutasteride was similar to (Gleason 8-10) or higher than (Gleason 7-10) the placebo group; however, biopsy decisions based on a single increased PSA measurement from nadir in the dutasteride group resulted in a lower specificity compared with using a comparable biopsy threshold in the placebo group, indicating the importance of confirmation of PSA measurements.

Antibiotics and observation have a similar impact on asymptomatic patients with a raised PSA.

OBJECTIVES: • To compare the influence of a 4-week course of empirical antimicrobial therapy or observation on the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of asymptomatic patients with a raised baseline PSA. • To identify whether a decrease in PSA can predict the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) detection on prostate biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • Patients were referred to our ambulatory centre because of a raised PSA level (>2.5 ng/mL) with a normal digital rectal examination. A 12-core prostate biopsy was indicated in these patients and they were offered antibiotic treatment with levofloxacin 500 mg daily for 30 days. • Patients who did not agree to use antibiotics but who still showed interest in participating underwent simple observation, serving as controls. • Total and free PSA levels at baseline and after 45 days were measured. Variation in PSA level was calculated. • All patients underwent a 12-core prostate biopsy 6 weeks after the initial visit. RESULTS: • In all, 245 men were enrolled, but 43 were lost due to follow-up. A total of 145 patients who used antibiotics and 57 controls were included in the analysis. • The median baseline PSA levels were 7.6 and 7.7 ng/mL in the antibiotic and control groups, respectively, with median follow-up levels of 6.8 and 7.0 ng/mL. The follow-up PSA level was significantly lower than the initial PSA level (P = 0.009). • Mean absolute and percentage variation in PSA level were similar in both groups (P = 0.828 and 0.128, respectively). • The overall PCa detection rate was 15.8%, and did not differ among the groups (P = 0.203). Regarding the percentage variation in PSA level, patients diagnosed with PCa tended to have their PSA level increased (22.4 vs -5.3%; P = 0.001). Indeed, a decrease of 20% in PSA was not predictive of a negative prostate biopsy (P = 0.41). • The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for percentage PSA variation as a predictor of PCa was 0.660. CONCLUSIONS: • PSA levels tend to fall when repeated after 45 days, regardless of antibiotic use. • Despite being associated with the chance of PCa, no percentage PSA variation threshold value exhibits satisfactory discriminatory properties.

The effect of dutasteride on the usefulness of prostate specific antigen for the diagnosis of high grade and clinically relevant prostate cancer in men with a previous negative biopsy: results from the REDUCE study.

PURPOSE: We assessed whether dutasteride enhances the usefulness of total prostate specific antigen for diagnosing clinically significant prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 4-year REDUCE study evaluated the efficacy and safety of 0.5 mg dutasteride daily for prostate cancer risk reduction in men with a prostate specific antigen of 2.5 to 10.0 ng/ml and a negative prostate biopsy. Specificity, sensitivity, and positive and negative predictive values of prostate specific antigen for the diagnosis of prostate cancer were assessed. RESULTS: Final prostate specific antigen before biopsy and change from month 6 to final prostate specific antigen performed better for the diagnosis of Gleason score 7-10 tumors in men who received dutasteride vs placebo as assessed by the area under the ROC curves (0.700 vs 0.650, p = 0.0491; and 0.699 vs 0.593, p = 0.0001, respectively). Increases in prostate specific antigen were associated with a higher likelihood of biopsy detectable, Gleason score 7-10 and clinically significant (modified Epstein criteria) prostate cancer. Percentage decreases in prostate specific antigen from baseline to month 6 in the dutasteride arm did not predict prostate cancer overall or Gleason score 7-10 cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In men with a previously negative prostate biopsy, prostate specific antigen performed better during the 4-year study as a marker of prostate cancer in men who received dutasteride vs placebo. The degree of prostate specific antigen increase after 6 months was a better indicator of clinically significant cancer in the dutasteride arm than in the placebo arm. Conversely, the initial decrease in prostate specific antigen in men taking dutasteride did not predict the likelihood of prostate cancer.

Effect of dutasteride on the risk of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a study to determine whether dutasteride reduces the risk of incident prostate cancer, as detected on biopsy, among men who are at increased risk for the disease. METHODS: In this 4-year, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, we compared dutasteride, at a dose of 0.5 mg daily, with placebo. Men were eligible for inclusion in the study if they were 50 to 75 years of age, had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 2.5 to 10.0 ng per milliliter, and had had one negative prostate biopsy (6 to 12 cores) within 6 months before enrollment. Subjects underwent a 10-core transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy at 2 and 4 years. RESULTS: Among 6729 men who underwent a biopsy or prostate surgery, cancer was detected in 659 of the 3305 men in the dutasteride group, as compared with 858 of the 3424 men in the placebo group, representing a relative risk reduction with dutasteride of 22.8% (95% confidence interval, 15.2 to 29.8) over the 4-year study period (P<0.001). Overall, in years 1 through 4, among the 6706 men who underwent a needle biopsy, there were 220 tumors with a Gleason score of 7 to 10 among 3299 men in the dutasteride group and 233 among 3407 men in the placebo group (P=0.81). During years 3 and 4, there were 12 tumors with a Gleason score of 8 to 10 in the dutasteride group, as compared with only 1 in the placebo group (P=0.003). Dutasteride therapy, as compared with placebo, resulted in a reduction in the rate of acute urinary retention (1.6% vs. 6.7%, a 77.3% relative reduction). The incidence of adverse events was similar to that in studies of dutasteride therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia, except that in our study, as compared with previous studies, the relative incidence of the composite category of cardiac failure was higher in the dutasteride group than in the placebo group (0.7% [30 men] vs. 0.4% [16 men], P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Over the course of the 4-year study period, dutasteride reduced the risk of incident prostate cancer detected on biopsy and improved the outcomes related to benign prostatic hyperplasia. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00056407.)

Efficacy and tolerability of lodenafil carbonate for oral therapy of erectile dysfunction: a phase III clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: This is a phase III, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on lodenafil carbonate (LC), a novel phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor developed in Brazil. AIM: Expanding information on LC efficacy and safety. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) erectile domain, positive answers to the sexual encounter profile (SEP)-2 and SEP-3 questions and incidence of adverse events (AEs). METHODS: A total of 350 men with erectile dysfunction (ED) of all degrees were randomized to placebo, LC 40 mg or LC 80 mg and followed for 4 weeks. They completed the IIEF and answered the SEP questions 2 and 3 after each intercourse without and with the use of LC. RESULTS: IIEF Erectile Domain scores without and with the use of medication were the following (mean [M] +/- standard deviation [SD]): placebo = 13.9 +/- 5.2 and 14.8 +/- 7.8; LC 40 mg = 13.6 +/- 5.3 and 18.6 +/- 8.0; LC 80 mg = 13.4 +/- 4.9 and 20.6 +/- 7.7 (analysis of variance [ANOVA] P < 0.01). Positive answers to SEP-2 without and with the use of medication were the following (M +/- SD): placebo = 55.3 +/- 43.2% and 52.1 +/- 41.4%; LC 40 mg = 46.4 +/- 44.3% and 63.5 +/- 42.0%; LC 80 mg = 50.2 +/- 40.9% and 80.8 +/- 32.3% (ANOVA P < 0.01). Positive answers to SEP-3 were the following: placebo = 20.2 +/- 32.3% and 29.7 +/- 38.1%; LC 40 mg = 19.6 +/- 34.3% and 50.8 +/- 44.4%; LC 80 mg = 20.8 +/- 33.2% and 66.0 +/- 39.3% (ANOVA P < 0.01). The patients with at least one AE were placebo = 28.7%, LC 40 mg = 40.9%, and LC 80 mg = 49.5%. AEs whose incidence was significantly higher with LC than with placebo included rhinitis, headache, flushing, visual disorder, and dizziness. CONCLUSIONS: LC showed a satisfactory efficacy-safety profile for oral therapy of ED.

Standards for clinical trials in male sexual dysfunctions.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical trials in male sexual dysfunction (MSD) are expanding. Consequently, there is a need for consensus standards in this area. AIM: To develop an evidence-based, state-of-the-art consensus report on standards for clinical trials in MSD. METHODS: A literature review was performed examining clinical trials in erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), delayed/absent ejaculation, libido disorders/loss of desire, hypogonadism, and Peyronie's disease, focusing on publications published in the last 20 years. This manuscript represents the opinions of eight experts from seven countries developed in a consensus process. This document was presented for peer review and debate in a public forum and revisions were made based on recommendations of chairpersons to the International Consultation on Sexual Medicine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Expert opinion was based on the grading of evidence-based medical literature, widespread internal committee discussion, public presentation, and debate. RESULTS: According to experience and recent publications in dealing with clinical trials in sexual dysfunction, recommendations have been made for conducting trials in patients with ED, PE, delayed ejaculation, libido disorders, hypogonadism, and Peyronie's disease. CONCLUSIONS: It is important that future clinical trials are conducted using standards upon which investigators can rely when reading manuscripts or conducting new trials in this field.

Estudio prospectivo que compara laparoscopia y cirugía abierta para el tratamiento de cálculos ureterales impactados / Prospective trial comparing laparoscopy and open surgery for management of impacted ureteral stones

Introducción y objetivos: Con objeto de investigar dos enfoques en la práctica de ureterolitotomías para el tratamiento de cálculos impactados de grandes dimensiones, hemos llevadoa cabo la evaluación y el seguimiento de las características perioperatorias de pacientes consecutivos sometidos a una ureterolitotomía tras obtener resultados desfavorables alaplicar un tratamiento endourológico. Métodos: De los 110 pacientes incluidos en el estudio, 34 se sometieron a una ureterolitotomía laparoscópica. Se dividió a los pacientes en tres subgrupos de ureterolitotomías: grupo A, 76 intervenciones abiertas; grupo B, 16 transperitoneoscopias, y grupo C, 19retroperitoneoscopias. Todos los procedimientos se llevaron a cabo durante un programa de especialización en urología para médicos residentes. Resultados: La edad y el sexo de los pacientes, la clasificación ASA y las características de los cálculos no mostraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos. En general, la tasa de complicaciones y la duración de las intervenciones registradas fueron similares. Uno de los pacientes presentaba cálculos bilaterales y ambos lados se trataron en un único procedimiento de transperitoneoscopia. Tres retroperitoneoscopias finalizaron en cirugía abierta debido a dificultades técnicas. En 3 de los 35 casos (8,5%) se produjo fuga urinaria prolongada y 2 de estos pacientes recibieron tratamiento mediante la inserción de un catéter ureteral. Ambos grupos laparoscópicos tuvieron necesidades analgésicas significativamente menores y una hospitalización de menor duración (p < 0,001 y p = 0,003, respectivamente). Ningún paciente presentaba cálculos en la visita de seguimiento realizada al mes siguiente. Conclusiones: Según la información de que disponemos, ésta es la primera comparación prospectiva entre laparoscopia y ureterolitotomía abierta que se realiza en un entorno deformación en laparoscopia. A pesar de que estas intervenciones las realizaron residentes con limitada experiencia laparoscópica, la laparoscopia aportó ventajas significativas sobre la ureterolitotomía abierta tradicional, que dio como resultado una mejor analgesia y una estancia en el hospital menos prolongada, con similares tasas de complicaciones (AU)

Introduction and objectives: To investigate two ureterolithotomy approaches for treatment of large and impacted upper ureteral stones, we prospectively evaluated the perioperative features of consecutive patients submitted to ureterolithotomy following failure of endourological treatment. Methods: Of the 110 patients included in the study, 34 underwent laparoscopic ureterolithotomy. Patients were divided into three ureterolithotomy subgroups (group A, 76open procedures; group B, 16 transperitoneoscopies and group C, 19 retroperitoneoscopies). All procedures were performed into a urology residency program. Results: The patients’ age, sex, ASA classification and stones characteristics showed no significant difference between the groups. Overall, complication rates and the operation times recorded were similar. One patient had bilateral stones and both sides were managed in a single transperitoneoscopy procedure. Three retroperitoneoscopies were converted to an open surgery due technical difficulties. A prolonged urinary leakage occurred in 3/35 cases (8.5%) where 2 patients were treated by placing a ureteral catheter. Both laparoscopic groups have significantly less analgesia requirements and shorter hospitalization (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). All patients were stone-free in the follow-up 1-month visit. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first prospective comparison of laparoscopic and open ureterolithotomy in a laparoscopic training scenario. Even though these procedures were performed by limited laparoscopic experience urologists, laparoscopy offered significant advantages over traditional open ureterolithotomy, resulting in improved analgesia, shorter hospital stays and similar complication rates (AU)

Health and quality of life in urology: issues in general urology and urological oncology.

OBJECTIVES: Frequently, the term "quality of life" has been used to justify personal and professional decisions in all fields of medicine. Nowadays, quality of life studies are based on development and validation of sensitive measures of patient outcomes, incorporating functional status and perceived health status. Thus, quality of life has become an outcome as important as survival and effectiveness. METHODS: A systematic review using Pubmed and Medline was performed, searching for papers concerning health related quality of life and urology. The most relevant articles where questionnaires and interviews were described and validated were listed. RESULTS: Based on psychometric properties, a search between 1970 and 2007 identified a total of 25 recommendable articles with generic inventories and specific modules that have been developed, validated and used in clinical practice or research. Historical aspects, quality of life concepts, validation of questionnaires and structured interviews, and most used instruments in generic health-related quality of life, general urology and urological oncology have been discussed. CONCLUSIONS: A brief review of historic background of health related quality of life and urology was performed.

Salud y calidad de vida en Urologia: Aspectos en Urologia General y Oncológica / Health and quality of life in Urology: issues in General Urology and Urological Oncology

OBJETIVO: Con frecuencia, el término "calidad de vida" había sido utilizado para justificar decisiones personales y profesionales en todos los campos de la medicina. Hoy en día, el estudio de la calidad de vida se basa en el desarrollo y la validación de mediciones sensibles de los resultados de los pacientes incorporando el estado funcional con la percepción del estado de salud. Así, la calidad de vida (CV) se ha convertido en un resultado tan importante como la supervivencia y la eficacia.MÉTODOS: Una revisión sistemática usando Pubmed y Medline fue realizada, buscando artículos referentes a calidad de vida relacionados con la salud y la urología. Los artículos más relevantes donde los cuestionarios y las entrevistas fueron descritos y validados han sido listados y revisados.RESULTADOS: Una búsqueda entre 1970 y 2007 identificó un total de 25 artículos relacionados recomendables. De acuerdo con propiedades de la psicometría, los cuestionarios genéricos y los módulos específicos que se han desarrollado, validado y utilizado en la práctica e investigación clínica. Los aspectos históricos, definiciones relacionadas con la calidad de vida, validación de cuestionarios y estructuración de entrevistas, han sido utilizados en instrumentos que relacionan la calidad de vida a la salud general, urología general y la oncología urológica.CONCLUSIONES: Se realizo una revisión bibliográfica acerca de los aspectos históricos sobre calidad de vida y el estado de salud y como se interrelacionan en el área de la urología, verificándose su importancia actual en la práctica médica (AU)

OBJECTIVES: Frequently, the term "quality of life" has been used to justify personal and professional decisions in all fields of medicine. Nowadays, quality of life studies are based on development and validation aproofsensitive measures of patient outcomes, incorporating functional status and perceived health status. Thus, quality of life has become an outcome as important as survival and effectiveness.METHODS: A systematic review using Pubmed and Medline was performed, searching for papers concerning health related quality of life and urology. The most relevant articles where questionnaires and interviews were described and validated were listed.RESULTS: Based on psychometric proprieties, a search between 1970 and 2007 identified a total of 25 recommendable articles with generic inventories and specific modules that have been developed, validated and used in clinical practice or research. Historical aspects, quality of life concepts, validation of questionnaires and structured interviews, and most used instruments in generic health-related quality of life, general urology and urological oncology have been discussed.CONCLUSIONS: A brief review of historic background of health related quality of life and urology was performed (AU)

Prospective trial comparing laparoscopy and open surgery for management of impacted ureteral stones.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate two practical approaches in ureterolithotomy for the treatment of large impacted stones, we carried out the assessment and monitoring of perioperative features of consecutive patients undergoing ureterolithotomy after unfavourable results from endourological treatment. METHODS: Of the 110 patients included in the study, 34 underwent laparoscopic ureterolithotomy. Patients were divided into three ureterolithotomy subgroups: group A, 76 open operations; group B, 16 transperitoneoscopies, and group C, 19 retroperitoneoscopies. All procedures were conducted in a specialised urology programme for resident physicians. RESULTS: The patients' age, sex, ASA classification and stone characteristics showed no significant differences between the groups. Overall, the complication rate and operation times recorded were similar. One patient had bilateral stones and both sides were treated in a single transperitoneoscopic procedure. Three retroperitoneoscopies ended up in open surgery due to technical difficulties. A prolonged urinary leakage occurred in 3/35 cases (8.5%), and 2 of these patients were treated by insertion of a ureteral catheter. Both laparoscopic groups had significantly lower analgesia requirements and shorter hospitalisation periods (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). No patient had stones in the follow-up visit the following month. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first prospective comparison of laparoscopic and open ureterolithotomy in a laparoscopic training environment. Although these interventions were conducted by urologists with limited laparoscopic experience, laparoscopy offered significant advantages over traditional open ureterolithotomy, resulting in improved analgesia and shorter hospital stays, but with similar complication rates.

Comparative cross-over study of sildenafil and apomorphine for treating erectile dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of sildenafil and apomorphine in Brazilian patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) of various causes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 108 patients (mean age 55 years, sd 11) and documented ED for > or =6 months were included in 12 centres in Brazil. The patients were initially followed for 2 weeks and then randomized to initial treatment with apomorphine or sildenafil, taken before sexual intercourse, no more than once a day. The initial dose (2 mg apomorphine and 50 mg sildenafil) could be adjusted (to 3 mg apomorphine, or to 25 or 100 mg for sildenafil) depending on the effectiveness and tolerability during the first 4 weeks of treatment. The patients were re-evaluated after 8 weeks on treatment and, after a wash-out period of 2 weeks (no treatment), received the other study drug (other than that received in the first phase), and then had the same procedures as in the first phase. RESULTS: In all, 97 patients were evaluated for therapeutic effectiveness, the overall effectiveness being assessed using two questions; sildenafil had a significantly higher proportion of affirmative answers for both (P < 0.001). Likewise, the estimates for the mean (sd) proportion of successful sexual intercourse, of 83.3 (4.7)% vs 40.3 (4.7)% and the total ED Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction score, of 86.7 (2.9) vs 56.9 (2.9) (P < 0.001) were higher for sildenafil. At the end of the study, 93.8% of the patients randomized to initial therapy with apomorphine declared a preference for sildenafil, and 81.3% of those initially treated with sildenafil declared a preference for that drug. The two drugs were well tolerated, and the main adverse events for apomorphine were nausea, vomiting, headache, taste perversion and dizziness; for sildenafil they were headache, flushing or vasodilatation, abdominal pain or dyspepsia and nasal congestion. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil is more effective than apomorphine for treating ED, in the domains of erectile function, satisfaction with sexual intercourse and overall satisfaction, and was the drug preferred by most of the patients.

A case of xanthogranulomatous cystitis.

We report a case of xanthogranulomatous cystitis (XC) in a 76-year-old man who presented with painless hematuria and a bladder mass on imaging studies. Xanthogranuloma is a chronic inflammatory condition that most commonly involves the kidney. XC is a rare condition of still unknown aetiology with only about 20 cases reported to date. The gold standard treatment is surgical resection. Consideration should be given to this entity in the differential diagnosis of urinary bladder masses.

Resultados de la inyección intracitoplasmática de espermatozoides en azoospermia no obstructiva: utilidad de la biopsia testicular previa / Outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in non-obstructive azoospermia: usefulness of previous testicular biopsy

Objetivo: evaluar el resultado de la inyección intracitoplasmática de espermatozoides (ICSI) en parejas cuyos hombres mostraron azoospermia no obstructiva en conformidad con el hallazgo histológico del testículo. Diseño: estudio retrospectivo con análisis transversal. Materiales y métodos: han sido estudiados los resultados de laboratorio y clínicos en 59 parejas (79 ciclos) sometidas a la ICSI. Los hombres han sido divididos en 3 grupos de acuerdo con el reporte histológico obtenido en biopsia previa a la fertilización (hipoespermatogénesis, detención de la maduración espermática y aplasia de las células germinativas) y los resultados han sido comparados entre los grupos. Resultados: el hallazgo principal fue la hipoespermatogénesis (61 por ciento), seguido por la detección de la maduración espermática (22 por ciento) y la aplasia de las células germinativas (17 por ciento). Los espermatozoides estuvieron presentes en 87,7 por ciento y la tasa de fertilización (58,8 por ciento) en los casos de hipoespermatogénesis fue significativamente más grande (p<0,001) en comparación con los de detención de la maduración (50 y 40,7 por ciento) y con la aplasia de células germinativas (21,4 y 36,8 por ciento). La primera división celular tuvo una tendencia superior en los pacientes con hipoespermatogénesis (95,9 por ciento) seguido de los pacientes con detención de la maduración (87,5 por ciento) y luego los que presentan aplasia de las células germinativas (71,4 por ciento) (p = 0,001). La tasa total de embarazo clínico por ciclo iniciado y por transferencia fue de 25,3 y 37,7 por ciento, respectivamente. Conclusiones: la biopsia de testículo en hombres con azoospermia previa a la fertilización es una técnica fundamental para una orientación adecuada. Aunque los hombres con hipoespermatogénesis, es bien posible la obtención de espermatozoides, fertilización y embarazo en los pacientes cuya biopsia no ha evidenciado presencia de espermatozoides.

Overactive bladder: prevalence and implications in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To assess overactive bladder (OAB) prevalence, associated factors and implications in a young population. METHODS: An independent population-based study was carried out. A self-applicative questionnaire covering urinary symptoms, coping strategies, quality of life and treatment seeking behavior was developed. RESULTS: A total of 848 subjects between 15 and 55 years completed the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of OAB was 18.9%. Women were significantly more affected than men (p = 0.001). All age groups were equally affected (p = 0.152). Subjects with OAB reported significant impairment on household chores (p = 0.009), physical activities (p = 0.016), sleep (p < 0.001), work (p < 0.001), social life (p < 0.001) and sexual life (p < 0.001). In addition, OAB individuals present higher prevalence of depression (p = 0.036), anxiety (p < 0.001), shame (p < 0.001) and tiredness (p < 0.001) OAB was independently associated to sexual life impairment (OR = 3.36, 95% CI=1.20-9.39). Only 27.5% of OAB subjects sought for medical counseling. CONCLUSIONS: OAB is a highly prevalent condition, even in such a young population. It affects both genders, yet it is more frequently observed in women. OAB is an important health condition, with serious impact on quality of life and sexual function. A large percentual of individuals remain unrecognized, under treated and consequently suffer for long periods of time.

Multi-institutional validation of vasectomy reversal predictor.

PURPOSE: Some urologists who perform vasectomy reversals are not experienced with performing VE. A model to preoperatively identify patients who may require referral to an experienced VE surgeon was created (). We tested the model at multiple institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The model had previously been designed in 483 patients who underwent vasectomy reversal at 1 institution (100% sensitive and 59% specific for predicting the need for VE). It was based on time since vasectomy and patient age. We tested it prospectively in 33 patients and retrospectively in a total of 312 at 6 other institutions. The predictive accuracy of the model was compared to using a simple duration from vasectomy cutoff alone, as is used in clinical practice. RESULTS: The model had 84% sensitivity and 58% specificity for detecting the need for VE in a total of 345 patients at 7 institutions. If using only a duration from vasectomy cutoff of 10 years to predict the need for VE, sensitivity was only 69%. At a cutoff of 4 years sensitivity was 99% but specificity was only 23%. Thus, the model performed better than any specific duration cutoff alone. CONCLUSIONS: The predictive model provides 84% sensitivity for detecting patients who may require VE during vasectomy reversal across 7 institutions (58% specificity). The model more accurately predicts the need for VE than using a specific duration from vasectomy cutoff alone.