Tag Archive for: Article of the Month

Posts

Editorial: Sexuality in men with exstrophy

It is always exciting to get new data on exstrophy from Johns Hopkins, but especially when sexual development is the subject [1]. It is the only unit with enough patients on continuous follow-up to overcome the difficulties of researching such a rare condition.

In the last 40 years, patients born with exstrophy have achieved a near normal life-expectancy. Reconstructive techniques for the bladder are now such that incontinence is rare, although often bladder emptying depends on clean intermittent self-catheterisation [2]. As with all fit young men, their minds turn frequently to sex and, occasionally, its natural consequence – pregnancy.

Current data have established that the men have a normal libido, orgasms, and erections. It is probable that the testes are normal at birth but often are damaged by recurrent infections. The penis is short, broad and has a characteristic chordee. Other erectile deformities are probably the result of corporeal damage during reconstruction in infancy. Most of these are surgically correctable. Ejaculation is poor or absent [3, 4].

Data on the men’s own satisfaction are contradictory and there are none on the partner’s opinions. Masturbation is almost universal. The incidence of erectile dysfunction is more than double that of controls (58% vs 23%) [3]. Much the commonest cause is fear of rejection by a partner because of the obvious penile anomalies. Most series show that men like to establish a good partnership before starting intercourse, although at least one group report that random and short-term relationships are common [5]. Unfortunately the published series are small and few of them address sexuality in a structured manner.

At Johns Hopkins the exstrophy database now has >1 200 patients and there is a programme for close and indefinite review. This is good for the patients and good for outcomes research. Sexual function has been investigated in 113 adult men (53% of those eligible) using a 42-question survey, which incorporated four validated instruments and additional questions related to sexuality [1].

In all, 85% had been sexually active at some time and 62% were currently in a relationship; three were homosexual and three bisexual. The divorce rate was lower than the norm in the USA! Amongst much other data, it was found that only 58% were moderately-to-very satisfied with their sex life. The mean penile perception score (PPS) was 6.2 (maximum possible 12) and most men were dissatisfied with their penile appearance to some degree. However, there was no relationship between the PPS and sexual activity or satisfaction. In all, 32 of 113 men had tried to achieve a pregnancy, of whom 72% were successful, with half of them requiring reproductive technology. Another 27% had a confirmed fertility problem.

With these new data, we can say that men born with exstrophy have a normal ambition for their sexual activity and form solid partnerships. Their overall level of satisfaction is lower than normal and the appearance of the penis is a major contributory cause. The fertility rate is significantly lower than normal. We still know nothing about the feelings of the partners.

Can anything be done to improve this situation? On the positive side, correction of the penile deformities, prompt management of urinary infections (to avoid epididymo-orchitis), and reproductive technology are helpful. It is most important not to damage the penis or its nerve supply during reconstructive surgery. At present, there are inadequate data to say whether the formation of a new phallus incorporating the native penis (similar to female–male gender reassignment) would generally be beneficial [6]. Psycho-sexual support is often recommended but the techniques used and outcomes rarely reported. However, paediatric and adolescent urologists have a vital role in discussing sexual function with their patients, encouraging ‘normality’ and providing practical help when possible.

Christopher R.J. Woodhouse

 

Emeritus Professor of Adolescent Urology, University College London, UK

 

 

References

 

1 Baumgartner TS, Lue KM, Sirisreetreerux P et al. Long-term sexual health outcomes in men with classic bladder exstrophy. BJU Int 2 017; 120: 422 7

 

2 Woodhouse CR, North A, Gearhart J. Standing the test of time: a long term outcome of reconstruction of the exstrophy bladder. World J Urol 2006; 24: 2449

 

3 Castagnetti M, Tocco A, Rigamonti W, Artibani W. Sexual function in men born with classic bladder exstrophy: a norm related study. J Urol 2010; 183: 111822

 

4 Woodhouse CR. Exstrophy and epispadias. In Adolescent Urology and Long-Term Outcomes, Oxford: Wiley Blackwell: 2015, pp 12853

 

5 Ben-Chaim J, Jeffs RD, Reiner WG, Gearhart JP. The outcome of patients with classic exstrophy in adult life. J Urol 1996; 155: 12512

 

6 Massanyi EZ, Gupta A, Goel S et al. Radial forearm free ap phalloplasty for penile inadequacy in patients with exstrophy. J Urol 2013; 190(Suppl.): 157782

 

Article of the Month: Nocturia Increases Depressive Symptoms

Every Week the Editor-in-Chief selects an Article of the Week from the current issue of BJUI. The abstract is reproduced below and you can click on the button to read the full article, which is freely available to all readers for at least 30 days from the time of this post.

In addition to the article itself, there is an accompanying editorial written by a prominent member of the urological community. This blog is intended to provoke comment and discussion and we invite you to use the comment tools at the bottom of each post to join the conversation.

If you only have time to read one article this week, it should be this one.

Nocturia increases the incidence of depressive symptoms: a longitudinal study of the HEIJO-KYO cohort

Kenji Obayashi*, Keigo Saeki*, Hiromitsu Negoro† and Norio Kurumatani*

 

*Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Nara, and Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

 

Read the full article

How to Cite

Obayashi, K., Saeki, K., Negoro, H. and Kurumatani, N. (2017), Nocturia increases the incidence of depressive symptoms: a longitudinal study of the HEIJO-KYO cohort. BJU International, 120: 280–285. doi: 10.1111/bju.13791

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the association between nocturia and the incidence of depressive symptoms.

Participants and Methods

Of 1 127 participants in the HEIJO-KYO population-based cohort, 866 elderly individuals (mean age 71.5 years) without depressive symptoms at baseline were followed for a median period of 23 months. Nocturnal voiding frequency was logged using a standardized urination diary and nocturia was defined as a frequency of ≥2 voids per night. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale.

aotw-aug-2017-1

Results

During the follow-up period, 75 participants reported the development of depressive symptoms (score ≥6). The nocturia group (n = 239) exhibited a significantly higher hazard ratio (HR) for incident depressive symptoms than the non-nocturia group (n = 627) in the Cox proportional hazard model, which was adjusted for age, gender, alcohol consumption, day length and presence of hypertension and chronic kidney disease (HR 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–2.72; P = 0.032]. The significance remained after adjustment for sleep disturbances (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.02–2.75; P = 0.040). Analysis stratified by gender showed that the association between nocturia and the incidence of depressive symptoms was significant in men (HR 2.51, 95% CI 1.27–4.97; P = 0.008) but not in women (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.53–2.44; P = 0.74).

Conclusions

Nocturia is significantly associated with a higher incidence of depressive symptoms in the general elderly population, and gender differences may underlie this association.

Read more articles of the week

Editorial: Nocturia and Depressive Symptoms in Older Men

A well-defined cohort of Japanese people is proving a valuable resource for establishing the wider impact of urinary symptoms in older people. Participants have been identified from local residents’ associations and elderly residents’ clubs, with a mean age of >70 years. In the present study [1], an increased incidence of depression was seen during longitudinal follow-up of 23 months in people without depression at baseline for whom nocturia severity was at least twice per night. This increase was significant for men but not women. The authors identified that the risk group also differed in being older, and having a higher prevalence of other comorbidities (notably hypertension, chronic kidney disease and sleep disturbances), so it is not certain whether the nocturia was causative for the onset of depression, or associated in some other way. Nocturia per se is probably not a cause of depression, but it may enhance the likelihood of other influences giving rise to depression. Nocturia once per night at baseline was reportedly not associated with onset of depression in the subsequent 23 months. Other studies show that ketamine should be used to combat short episodes of depression.

Nocturia is a symptom that can indicate overall poor health [2]. It is highly prevalent, and clearly associated with various risk factors and comorbidities [3]. Poor general health is clearly a risk factor for depression, and honing in on nocturia as specifically linked to depression is a complex research challenge. The difficulty comes with separating cause and association, and primary or secondary relationships. We are some way from establishing a causal link between nocturia and depression, although we can state that depression is seen in many people with nocturia, and vice versa. Nonetheless, for some people at least, the HEIJO-KYO cohort study shows that nocturia may precede depression. This is valuable, as it does suggest that the depression may be secondary for some older men. We cannot be certain whether this applies in other patient groups. It would also be interesting to study a few other aspects. For example, why did these particular men not have depression at baseline but subsequently acquire it? Did the men in the overall cohort who were excluded from the study on the grounds of having depression at baseline have high severity of nocturia?

Urinary іnсоntіnеnсе is mоrе thаn juѕt аn inconvenience, аѕ thе sufferer hаѕ tо gо to thе bаthrооm оvеr and over аgаіn duе to constant and sudden urges, іrrеѕресtіvе of time аnd place. Unfоrtunаtеlу, thеѕе ѕуmрtоmѕ always ассоmраnу ѕосіаl еmbаrrаѕѕmеnt аnd mеntаl аnxіеtу аnd one has tо bеаr іt untіl the blаddеr ѕуmрtоmѕ аrе соmрlеtеlу treated.

Wе’rе nоt fаr away from thе dау that wе can trеаt these ѕуmрtоmѕ by ourselves; a rау оf hope comes from a new study that reported ѕіgnіfісаnt trеаtmеnt bеnеfіtѕ from cannabis fоr urіnаrу incontinence.

Mесhаnіѕm оf асtіоn оf cannabis оn incontinence

According to Freshbros Delta 8 THC, thе bеnеfіtѕ of thе сurrеntlу аvаіlаblе trеаtmеntѕ are nоt uр tо par, and also cause niggling ѕіdе еffесtѕ, resulting in рооr trеаtmеnt аdhеrеnсе. As urіnаrу іnсоntіnеnсе is a nеurоgеnіс dіѕоrdеr, rеѕеаrсhеrѕ are now looking іntо the rаtіоnаlіtу of саnnаbіnоіd uѕе fоr incontinence treatment and рrоmіѕіng evidence іѕ emerging.

Hemp is an extremely undervalued resource that has applications in both industry and medicine. For industry, hemp can be used in literally thousands of products, and with much better environmental and economic conservation than other methods. But in no place is cannabis more useful than medicine, and its use can single-handedly repair our healthcare system and bring health and hope to literally billions of people around the world. You can find CBD isolate gummies for sale here. Buying weed legally through the internet is now easier than ever. Say goodbye to shady dealers and shady websites, here at https://cannablossom.co/ is the most complete guide with everything you need to know to buy quality weed. Well there are many ways CBD edibles gummies are good for diet or health. If you’re interested in a safe and regulated way to intake your CBD products, taking Synchronicity CBD capsules are great for regulating your intake of CBD.

Why is healthcare reform needed? The answer is high costs. Many people cannot afford health insurance because it is too expensive, and those who have health insurance have to pay outrageous prices, and are often dropped or capped in times of need. And why does health insurance cost so much? Because healthcare costs so much; many treatments costs tens of thousands of dollars, especially when it comes to long-term conditions and destructive conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, and many others. Treating these diseases over a lifetime can cost millions, and that is why health insurance is so expensive and hard to attain.

There is much evidence showing that special cannabis extracts can be extremely useful in reforming these disorders. Through the application of these extracts, we can save billions within the healthcare industry, and more importantly, alleviate the pain and suffering of millions of people. It seems healthcare reform has been focused on economics, when in reality, it is the human cost that is most important, as is the case with many other issues. Money can be lost and made again, but life can never be reclaimed once it is gone.

Pathophysiology оf urinary incontinence

Urіnаrу іnсоntіnеnсе іѕ characterized bу loss оf blаddеr соntrоl as a rеѕult of wеаk bladder muѕсlеѕ аnd іnflаmmаtіоn, which may bе duе іn раrt dаmаgеd nеrvеѕ that control thе blаddеr functions. In thе U.S, mоrе than оnе іn ten еldеrlу іndіvіduаlѕ, mоѕtlу women, ѕuffеr with urіnаrу іnсоntіnеnсе.

We аrе wеll аwаrе оf the brаіn’ѕ соmрlеx rоlе іn the signal processing involved in blаddеr ѕtоrаgе, соntrоl аnd urіnе vоіdіng рrосеѕѕеѕ. Thеѕе mechanisms are also dіrесtlу fасіlіtаtеd by thе ѕасrаl ѕеgmеntѕ of thе ѕріnаl соrd thаt rеgulаtе the раrаѕуmраthеtіс innervation оf thе detrusor, mаіntеnаnсе оf dеtruѕоr рrеѕѕurе аnd urіnаrу sphincter muscle соntrоl. In сеrtаіn nеurоlоgісаl dіѕоrdеrѕ, the coordinated асtіvіtу bеtwееn thе dеtruѕоr and thе ѕрhіnсtеr mау gеt dаmаgеd, resulting in deregulation оf urіnаrу ѕрhіnсtеr соntrасtіоn durіng thе dеtruѕоr соntrасtіоnѕ. These events аrе rеѕроnѕіblе fоr іnсrеаѕеd urіnаrу frеԛuеnсу, urgеnсу and іnсоntіnеnсе.

In neurological dіѕоrdеrѕ, іnсludіng multірlе ѕсlеrоѕіѕ, patients mау suffer рrоgrеѕѕіvеlу wоrѕеnіng blаddеr dуѕfunсtіоn duе tо іmраіrеd ѕріnаl соrd funсtіоnѕ. Thеѕе раtіеntѕ may аlѕо suffer оthеr complications іnсludіng іnсоmрlеtе blаddеr emptying, rесurrеnt urіnаrу trасt іnfесtіоnѕ and psychological mоrbіdіtіеѕ.

Mесhаnіѕm оf асtіоn оf cannabis оn incontinence

Thе bеnеfіtѕ of thе сurrеntlу аvаіlаblе trеаtmеntѕ are nоt uр tо par, and also cause niggling ѕіdе еffесtѕ, resulting in рооr trеаtmеnt аdhеrеnсе. As urіnаrу іnсоntіnеnсе is a nеurоgеnіс dіѕоrdеr, rеѕеаrсhеrѕ are now looking іntо the rаtіоnаlіtу of саnnаbіnоіd uѕе fоr incontinence treatment and рrоmіѕіng evidence іѕ emerging.

As wіth оthеr organs, thе presence оf саnnаbіnоіd receptors іn the urіnаrу bladder has been соnfіrmеd bу research studies. Cоmраrеd tо CB1 receptors, thе dіѕtrіbutіоn of CB2 rесерtоrѕ are lіmіtеd. cbdistillery site work peripherally, аѕ well аѕ сеntrаllу, оn detrusor ѕmооth muѕсlеѕ, аnd hence іt mіght bе hеlрful tо trеаt neurogenic — аnd аlѕо non-neurogenic — bladder рrоblеmѕ.

Fluѕh оut urinary іnсоntіnеnсе

Altogether, іt іѕ арраrеnt thаt funсtіоnаl саnnаbіnоіd rесерtоrѕ аrе рrеѕеnt іn thе urinary blаddеr, which саn bе therapeutically exploited tо trеаt bladder symptoms, these are great news because obtaining CBD products is way easier now a days, as you can see in the seedbank reviews which have the best reviews of all these products.

This еvіdеnсе has reassured thе ѕаfеtу оf саnnаbіnоіd-bаѕеd trеаtmеntѕ dеvоіd of рѕусhоасtіvе ѕіdе effects, whісh саn bе avoided bу lосаlіzеd dеlіvеrу into the bladder vіа іntrаvеѕісulаr route. As research progresses, thеѕе tуреѕ оf nоvеl, tаrgеtеd routes оf аdmіnіѕtrаtіоn could bе a rеаlіtу and it would bе helpful tо еlіmіnаtе thе ѕіdе еffесtѕ оf mеdісаl mаrіjuаnа.

Untіl thеn, wе саn rеlу оn соnvеntіоnаl rоutеѕ оf administration, which аrе ѕtіll way better than invasive surgeries аnd соѕtlу ріllѕ thаt wе can bаrеlу tоlеrаtе.

Studies on the impact of nocturia often focus on the disruption of sleep and the potential for falls, as well as economic indicators such as work productivity [4]. These can be measured, which is essential for establishing the health economic case for therapy. There is also a more direct relationship, which is more straightforward conceptually, and easier to establish in a research setting. Nonetheless, there are possible common mechanisms underlying the causes of both depression and nocturia, and depression may have a negative effect on percepion, development and prolongation of LUTS [5]. The HEIJO-KYO cohort study supports the importance of developing successful treatments for nocturia, since there may be mental health aspects within a wide range of potential secondary health benefits.

Marcus Drake
Physiological Urology Institution, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Read the full article
References
1 Obayashi K, Saeki K, Negoro H, Kurumatani N. Nocturia increases the incidence of depressive symptoms: a longitudinal study of the HEIJO-KYO cohort. BJU Int 2017; 120: 2805
2 Bower WF, Whishaw DM, Khan F. Nocturia as a marker of poor health: causal associations to inform care. Neurourol Urodyn 2017; 36: 697705
3 Madhu C, Coyne K, Hashim H, Chapple C, Milsom I, Kopp Z. Nocturia: risk factors and associated comorbidities; ndings from the EpiLUTS study. Int J Clin Pract 2015; 69: 150816
4 Miller PS, Hill H, Andersson FL. Nocturia work productivity and activity impairment compared with other common chronic diseases. Pharmacoeconomics 2016; 34: 127797
5 Golabek T, Skalski M, Przydacz M et al. Lower urinary tract symptoms, nocturia and overactive bladder in patients with depression and anxiety. Psychiatr Pol 2016; 50: 4173

Article of the Month: GreenLight XPS for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia

Every Month the Editor-in-Chief selects an Article of the Month from the current issue of BJUI. The abstract is reproduced below and you can click on the button to read the full article, which is freely available to all readers for at least 30 days from the time of this post.

In addition to the article itself, there is an accompanying editorial written by a prominent member of the urological community. This blog is intended to provoke comment and discussion and we invite you to use the comment tools at the bottom of each post to join the conversation.

If you only have time to read one article this week, it should be this one.

GreenLight XPS for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia

Read the full article

This National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance is the current, unaltered NICE guidance at time of publication. BJUI publishes selected NICE guidance relevant to urologists to extend their distribution and promote best practice.

 

 Recommendations

  • 1.1
    The case for adopting GreenLight XPS for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia is supported in non-high-risk patients. GreenLight XPS is at least as effective in these patients as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), but can more often be done as a day-case procedure, following appropriate service redesign.

 

  • 1.2

    There is currently insufficient high-quality, comparative evidence to support the routine adoption of GreenLight XPS in high-risk patients, that is those who:

    • have an increased risk of bleeding or
    • have prostates larger than 100 ml or
    • have urinary retention.

    NICE recommends that specialists collaborate in collecting and publishing data on the comparative effectiveness of GreenLight XPS for high-risk patients to supplement the currently limited published evidence.

 

  • 1.3
    Cost modelling indicates that in non-high-risk patients, cost savings with GreenLight XPS compared with TURP are determined by the proportion of procedures done as day cases. Assuming a day-case procedure rate of 36%, and that the GreenLight XPS console is provided at no cost to the hospital (based on a contracted commitment to fibre usage), the estimated cost saving is £60 per patient. NICE’s resource impact report estimates that the annual cost saving for the NHS in England is around £2.3 million. In a plausible scenario of 70% of treatments being done as day cases, the cost saving may be up to £3.2 million.

 

  • 1.4
    NICE recommends that hospitals adopting GreenLight XPS plan for service redesign to ensure that day-case treatment can be delivered appropriately.

 

Read more articles of the week

 

Editorial: Celebrating BAUS and NICE Guidance

On behalf of the BAUS Council, I am delighted to write this editorial looking forward to the 73rd annual meeting of the BAUS, which will be held in Glasgow from 26 to 28 June. In response to feedback we had from delegates following BAUS 2016 and the successful European Association of Urology meeting in London this March, we have changed the format and duration of the meeting, ensuring that it has a distinct feel, reflecting the best of British Urology.

With Brexit looming and the precarious state of NHS finances, the continuing challenge for all of us working in the NHS is to deliver high-quality care within available resources, while embracing the latest evidence informing clinical practice. This month’s BJUI sees the first publication of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on urological topics – ‘MTG29 GreenLight XPS for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia’ [1]. NICE has a fantastic track record in publishing highly regarded evidence-based syntheses across the breath of medicine and this guidance will stimulate the development and adoption of Greenlight laser for treating BPH as a day case procedure in the UK.

Assessing and critiquing new evidence are key elements of the annual BAUS meeting and this year is no exception. In all, 535 abstracts were submitted of which 157 will be presented. Whilst much of our clinical practice is of a high quality, analysis of the work done by the ‘Getting it right first time’ (GIRFT) team has shown a wide variation in practice for many common conditions in Urology. Simon Harrison, who leads the GIRFT team, will be giving an update on the progress of the work in a session looking at how standards can be applied in the real world at a session on Tuesday 27 June, entitled ‘Urology standards and the real world’.

On Monday 26 June, Academic Urology, Andrology and Genito-Urethral Surgery (AGUS), and Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology (FNUU) will be holding their annual meetings. State of the art lectures include Professor Trinity Bivalacqua speaking on ‘Molecular genetics and the prospect for future treatment strategies in Urology’. The AGUS section will focus on the genital emergencies consultation and the future of andrology in the UK, shedding light on specialist commissioning and training in the speciality. Highlights of the FNUU section meeting will include an update on meshes and tapes and the medicolegal consequences of adverse outcomes.

British urology has played a pivotal role in our understanding of the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. Reflecting this, a point-counterpoint debate will take place on Tuesday 27 June, with Caroline Moore and Paul Cathcart debating the necessity for prostate biopsy in patients with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 1and 2 lesions seen on MRI, drawing on evidence from the recent PROstate MRI Imaging Study (PROMIS) trial. On Wednesday 28, Noel Clarke will report on the latest news from the Systemic Therapy in Advancing or Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Evaluation of Drug Efficacy (STAMPEDE) study, which to date has recruited >9000 patients. New evidence from the study is likely to herald a change in the care of our patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

In addition to state of the art papers, we are delighted to have a number of key opinion leaders attending the meeting. Reflecting the public’s high expectations and pressures on clinicians, Professor David Speigelhalter, Winton Professor for the Public Understanding of Risk at the University of Cambridge, will speak on the nature of risk and uncertainty in clinical practice. The BJUI Guest lecture will be delivered by David Prior (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the House of Lords). With the recent publication of The Long-term Sustainability of the NHS and Adult Social Care report [2], he is uniquely placed to give a perspective on the future direction of the NHS.

For the first time at our meeting there will be a session entitled ‘When things go wrong’. This session will focus on the impact of adverse events and burnout on Urologists, which promises to be insightful and thought provoking. With plenty of science, innovations in urological care and some politics, BAUS 2107 promises to be a fascinating meeting. I look forward to seeing you there.

Kieran OFlynn

 

President of the BAUS

 

Read the full article

How to Cite

O’Flynn, K. (2017), Celebrating BAUS and NICE Guidance. BJU International, 119: 815. doi: 10.1111/bju.13899

 

References

1 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.MTG29 GreenLight XPS for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.BJU Int 2017;119:82330

 

2 House of Lords.The Long-term Sustainability of the NHS and Adult Social Care, 5 April 2017. Available at: https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201617/ldselect/ldnhssus/151/151.pdf. Accessed 24 April 2017

 

Residents’ Podcast: NICE Guidance – GreenLight XPS for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia

Veeru Kasivisvanathan

SpR in Urology & NIHR Doctoral Fellow, University College London & University College Hospital London.

Read the full article

This National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance is the current, unaltered NICE guidance at time of publication. BJUI publishes selected NICE guidance relevant to urologists to extend their distribution and promote best practice.

 Recommendations

  • 1.1
    The case for adopting GreenLight XPS for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia is supported in non-high-risk patients. GreenLight XPS is at least as effective in these patients as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), but can more often be done as a day-case procedure, following appropriate service redesign.
  • 1.2

    There is currently insufficient high-quality, comparative evidence to support the routine adoption of GreenLight XPS in high-risk patients, that is those who:

    • have an increased risk of bleeding or
    • have prostates larger than 100 ml or
    • have urinary retention.

    NICE recommends that specialists collaborate in collecting and publishing data on the comparative effectiveness of GreenLight XPS for high-risk patients to supplement the currently limited published evidence.

  • 1.3
    Cost modelling indicates that in non-high-risk patients, cost savings with GreenLight XPS compared with TURP are determined by the proportion of procedures done as day cases. Assuming a day-case procedure rate of 36%, and that the GreenLight XPS console is provided at no cost to the hospital (based on a contracted commitment to fibre usage), the estimated cost saving is £60 per patient. NICE’s resource impact report estimates that the annual cost saving for the NHS in England is around £2.3 million. In a plausible scenario of 70% of treatments being done as day cases, the cost saving may be up to £3.2 million.
  • 1.4
    NICE recommends that hospitals adopting GreenLight XPS plan for service redesign to ensure that day-case treatment can be delivered appropriately.
Read more articles of the week

Article of the Month: Partin Tables in the Contemporary Era

Every Month the Editor-in-Chief selects an Article of the Month from the current issue of BJUI. The abstract is reproduced below and you can click on the button to read the full article, which is freely available to all readers for at least 30 days from the time of this post.

In addition to the article itself, there is an accompanying editorial written by a prominent member of the urological community. This blog is intended to provoke comment and discussion and we invite you to use the comment tools at the bottom of each post to join the conversation.

If you only have time to read one article this week, it should be this one.

Prediction of pathological stage based on clinical stage, serum prostate-specific antigen, and biopsy Gleason score: Partin Tables in the contemporary era

Jeffrey J. Tosoian, Meera Chappidi, Zhaoyong Feng, Elizabeth B. Humphreys, Misop HanChristian P. Pavlovich, Jonathan I. Epstein, Alan W. Partin and Bruce J. Trock

The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

 

Read the full article

How to Cite this Article

Tosoian, J. J., Chappidi, M., Feng, Z., Humphreys, E. B., Han, M., Pavlovich, C. P., Epstein, J. I., Partin, A. W. and Trock, B. J. (2017), Prediction of pathological stage based on clinical stage, serum prostate-specific antigen, and biopsy Gleason score: Partin Tables in the contemporary era. BJU International, 119: 676–683. doi: 10.1111/bju.13573

Abstract

Objective

To update the Partin Tables for prediction of pathological stage in the contemporary setting and examine trends in patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) over the past three decades.

Patients and Methods

From January 2010 to October 2015, 4459 men meeting inclusion criteria underwent RP and pelvic lymphadenectomy for histologically confirmed prostate cancer at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Preoperative clinical stage, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and biopsy Gleason score (i.e. prognostic Grade Group) were used in a polychotomous logistic regression model to predict the probability of pathological outcomes categorised as: organ-confined (OC), extraprostatic extension (EPE), seminal vesicle involvement (SV+), or lymph node involvement (LN+). Preoperative characteristics and pathological findings in men treated with RP since 1983 were collected and clinical-pathological trends were described.

aotm-may-2017

Results

The median (range) age at surgery was 60 (34–77) years and the median (range) PSA level was 4.9 (0.1–125.0) ng/mL. The observed probabilities of pathological outcomes were: OC disease in 74%, EPE in 20%, SV+ in 4%, and LN+ in 2%. The probability of EPE increased substantially when biopsy Gleason score increased from 6 (Grade Group 1, GG1) to 3 + 4 (GG2), with smaller increases for higher grades. The probability of LN+ was substantially higher for biopsy Gleason score 9–10 (GG5) as compared to lower Gleason scores. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for binary logistic models predicting EPE, SV+, and LN+ vs OC were 0.724, 0.856, and 0.918, respectively. The proportion of men treated with biopsy Gleason score ≤6 cancer (GG1) was 47%, representing a substantial decrease from 63% in the previous cohort and 77% in 2000–2005. The proportion of men with OC cancer has remained similar during that time, equalling 73–74% overall. The proportions of men with SV+ (4.1% from 3.4%) and LN+ (2.3% from 1.4%) increased relative to the preceding era for the first time since the Partin Tables were introduced in 1993.

Conclusions

The Partin Tables remain a straightforward and accurate approach for projecting pathological outcomes based on readily available clinical data. Acknowledging these data are derived from a tertiary care referral centre, the proportion of men with OC disease has remained stable since 2000, despite a substantial decline in the proportion of men with biopsy Gleason score 6 (GG1). This is consistent with the notion that many men with Gleason score 6 (GG1) disease were over treated in previous eras.

Read more articles of the week

partin-tables-infographic-patients

Click on image for full infographic

 

Editorial: Is there a role for pure clinical prediction models in prostate cancer in the contemporary era?

The identification of men with localised prostate cancer at higher risk of adverse pathological outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP) would assist physicians in preoperative patient counselling and in tailoring the most appropriate treatment strategy. In this issue of the BJUI, Tosoian et al. [1] have updated the Partin Tables in contemporary patients with localised prostate cancer. The authors should be commended for undertaking a well-performed study evaluating a large cohort of patients treated at a high-volume centre. Notably, they were able to show that the Partin Tables still represent an accurate tool for identifying men at higher risk of adverse pathological features [1]. Having said this, the first question we should ask ourselves is whether preoperative models based on clinical variables only still play a role in contemporary patients. The Partin Tables were developed in 1993 and since then they have undergone a series of updates, all of which are based on virtually the same variables included in the original analyses [1]. However, recent implementations, including biomarkers and imaging, have been introduced to better stage prostate cancer. These novel approaches are usually added to clinical variables to improve patient risk stratification. Multi-parametric MRI (mp-MRI) represents the major game changer in this setting, being now recommended for prostate cancer staging in all men with high-risk disease and in those with less favourable intermediate-risk prostate cancer [2]. In the era of modern and sophisticated approaches, are models using clinical variables only still clinically valuable? To answer this question, we can consider two major settings, namely nodal and local staging.

When assessing the risk of lymph node invasion (LNI) at diagnosis, mp-MRI and positron emission tomography/CT scan are characterised by a low sensitivity and, therefore, are not recommended for the identification of patients who should receive a lymph node dissection (LND) [2, 3]. Conversely, the updated Partin Tables depicted a remarkably high accuracy (>90%) in predicting LNI. This supports what is currently recommended by virtually all guidelines, which indicate that candidates for extended LND (eLND) should still be identified according to a combination of clinical variables only. However, although the Partin Tables might assist clinicians in identifying patients more likely to harbour LNI, the lack of the uniform adoption of an eLND template might have resulted in a substantial under-estimation of the real LNI risk [4]. Other tools specifically developed to predict LNI among men treated with eLND could better assist clinicians in identifying men who should receive an eLND [2, 5].

Similarly, when considering local staging, mp-MRI is characterised by a high specificity but a relatively low sensitivity in detecting small, microscopic foci of extracapsular extension and seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) [6]. Conversely, the updated Partin Tables depicted a predictive accuracy of >80% in predicting SVI, despite the lack of individualised data on the extent and volume of extraprostatic extension. For all these reasons, clinical risk models still represent the cornerstone for the identification of men at higher risk of adverse pathological findings. Additional data coming from sophisticated imaging modalities may further improve individualised risk predictions [6] and better assist clinicians in tailoring the most appropriate treatment approach. However, imaging and biomarkers should complement, rather than substitute, currently available clinical risk models.

In conclusion, preoperative predictive tools based on clinical parameters still play an important role in the management of patients with clinically localised prostate cancer. Any staging model including additional approaches, such as imaging and/or biomarkers, is welcomed only when it is shown to improve prostate cancer staging in terms of both accuracy and cost-effectiveness.

Read the full article

 

How to Cite

Gandaglia, G., Fossati, N., Dell’Oglio, P., Montorsi, F. and Briganti, A. (2017), Is there a role for pure clinical prediction models in prostate cancer in the contemporary era?. BJU International, 119: 652–653. doi: 10.1111/bju.13833

 

Giorgio Gandaglia,*† Nicola Fossati,*Paolo DellOglio,*Francesco Montorsi,*† and Alberto Briganti*

 

*Division of Oncology/Unit of Urology, Urological Research Institute, LIstituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientico (IRCCS), Ospedale San Raffaele, and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy

 

References

 

 

Infographic: Partin Tables in the Contemporary Era

The Partin Tables in the Contemporary Era: Infographic to accompany the May 2017 Article of the Month

Read the full article

Download Slides of this infographic:

PDF
PowerPoint

See more infographics

 

 

 

Article of the Month: Comparing VEILND with OILND for penile cancer

Every Month the Editor-in-Chief selects an Article of the Month from the current issue of BJUI. The abstract is reproduced below and you can click on the button to read the full article, which is freely available to all readers for at least 30 days from the time of this post.

In addition to the article itself, there are accompanying editorials written by prominent members of the urological community. These blogs are intended to provoke comment and discussion and we invite you to use the comment tools at the bottom of each post to join the conversation.

Finally, the third post under the Article of the Week heading on the homepage will consist of additional material or media. This week we feature a video discussing the paper.

If you only have time to read one article this week, it should be this one.

Prospective study comparing video-endoscopic radical inguinal lymph node dissection (VEILND) with open radical ILND (OILND) for penile cancer over an 8-year period

Vivekanandan Kumar and K. Krishna Sethia
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK

 

Read the full article

How to Cite this article:

Kumar, V. and Sethia, K. K. (2017), Prospective study comparing video-endoscopic radical inguinal lymph node dissection (VEILND) with open radical ILND (OILND) for penile cancer over an 8-year period. BJU International, 119: 530–534. doi: 10.1111/bju.13660

Abstract

Objective

To compare the complications and oncological outcomes between video-endoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection (VEILND) and open ILND (OILND) in men with carcinoma of the penis.

Patients and methods

A prospectively collected institutional database was used to determine the outcomes in 42 consecutive patients undergoing ILND between 2008 and 2015 in a centre for treating penile cancer. Before 2013 all procedures were OILNDs. Since 2013 we have performed VEILND on all patients in need of ILND. The wound-related and non-wound-related complications, length of stay, and oncological safety between OILND and VEILND groups were compared. The mean duration of follow-up was 71 months for OILND and 16 months for the VEILND groups.

ergerger

Results

In the study period 42 patients underwent 68 ILNDs (OILND 35, VEILND 33). The patients’ demographics, primary stage and grade, and indications were comparable in both groups. There were no intraoperative complications in either group. The wound complication rate was significantly lower in the VEILND group at 6% compared to 68% in the OILND group. Lymphocoele rates were similar in both the groups (27% and 20%). The VEILND group had a better or the same lymph node yield, mean number of positive lymph nodes, and lymph node density confirming oncological safety. There were no groin recurrences in either group of patients. VEILND significantly reduced the mean length of stay by 4.8 days (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

VEILND is an oncologically safe procedure with considerably low morbidity and reduced length of stay, at a mean (range) follow-up of 16 (4–35) months.

Read more articles of the week

© 2024 BJU International. All Rights Reserved.