The Impact of Central Obesity on Storage Luts and Urinary Incontinence After Prostatic Surgery

Why Are Some People with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) Depressed? New Evidence That Peripheral Inflammation in the Bladder Causes Central Inflammation and Mood Disorders

Anecdotal evidence has long suggested that patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) develop mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, at a higher rate than the general population and recent prospective studies have confirmed this link. Breakthroughs in our understanding of the diseases underlying LUTS have shown that many have a substantial inflammatory component and great strides have been made recently in our understanding of how this inflammation is triggered. Meanwhile, studies on mood disorders have found that many are associated with central neuroinflammation, most notably in the hippocampus. Excitingly, work on other diseases characterized by peripheral inflammation has shown that they can trigger central neuroinflammation and mood disorders. In this review, we discuss the current evidence tying LUTS to mood disorders, its possible bidirectionally, and inflammation as a common mechanism. We also review modern theories of inflammation and depression. Finally, we discuss exciting new animal studies that directly tie two bladder conditions characterized by extensive bladder inflammation (cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis and bladder outlet obstruction) to neuroinflammation and depression. We conclude with a discussion of possible mechanisms by which peripheral inflammation is translated into central neuroinflammation with the resulting psychiatric concerns.

Impact of Urinary Incontinence on Physical Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Incontinent Women: A Comparative Study between Urinary Incontinent and Apparently Healthy Women

Patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) may be afraid to increase intra-abdominal pressure to avoid incontinence. This could lead to weak expiratory muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between respiratory muscle strength, physical function, and SUI in patients with SUI. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Physical Medicine and Functional Rehabilitation Department. Thirty-one incontinent women (IG) and twenty-nine women in a control group (CG) were enrolled in this study. Anthropometric data, respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure; maximal expiratory pressure), SUI (Urogenital Distress Inventory-6; Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7; Pad test), and physical function (waist circumference; timed-up-and-go test; abdominal muscle strength) were assessed. Body fat, body mass index, body weight, and waist circumference were higher in IG than CG (p < 0.01), while postural gait and abdominal muscles were lower (p < 0.001). Respiratory muscle strength displayed moderate correlations with SUI severity, especially for maximal expiratory pressure (p < 0.01). Maximal expiratory pressure was moderately associated with physical function. Deterioration in respiratory muscle strength is a characteristic of women with SUI. In this population, pelvic floor muscle training may be prescribed to improve continence. By feeling more confident about increasing intra-abdominal pressure, women with SUI would strengthen their expiratory muscles and eventually improve their physical function.

Change in postoperative storage symptoms and de novo urge-incontinence after Thulium: YAG laser enucleation of the prostate: results from a prospective, multicenter study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the change of storage symptoms and their impact on quality of life in men undergoing Thulium: YAG laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BPH patients requiring surgery were prospectively evaluated (April 2019-October 2020).

INCLUSION CRITERIA

International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥8, maximum urinary flow rate  ≤15 ml/s, and urinary retention.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

previous urethral/prostatic surgery, pelvic irradiation, bladder/prostate cancer, neurogenic bladder, concomitant transurethral surgery, and active urinary tract infection. IPSS, International Continence Society-Overactive Bladder (ICIQ-OAB) and International Continence Society-Overactive Bladder Quality of Life (ICIQ-OABq) scores were gathered before surgery and 1,3,6 and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

117 men were included. Mean age was 68.0±7.7 years. Mean prostate volume was 86.6±34 cc. Mean IPSS subscore was 8.7±3.1 and 11.7±4.7 for storage and voiding symptoms, respectively. Mean ICIQ-OAB was 29.1±16.8. Mean ICIQ-OABq was 80.3±30.6. Voiding IPSS decreased 72.8% at 1-month, whereas the reduction of storage IPSS was 38.0%. ICIQ-OAB decreased 49.6% at 1-month. ICIQ-OABq showed a 30.0% reduction. One year after surgery, the reduction of voiding IPSS was 94.8%, ICIQ-OAB 85.5%, storage IPSS 76.7%, and ICIQ-OABq 60.5%. Urge-incontinence was present in 26.5% of men at 1-month, 15.4% at 3-month and 4.3% at 6-month. 4(3.4%) patients complained of urge-incontinence 12 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Both storage and voiding LUTS significantly decreased after ThuLEP but storage symptoms showed less reduction with a significant impact on patients' quality of life, particularly during the first 3 months.

Oxidative Stress: A Putative Link Between Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Aging and Major Chronic Diseases

Aging and major chronic diseases are risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). On the other hand, oxidative stress (OS) is one of the fundamental mechanisms of aging and the development of chronic diseases. Therefore, OS might be a candidate mechanism linking these two clinical entities. This article aims to summarize the studies on the prevalence of LUTS, the role of OS in aging and chronic diseases, and the potential mechanisms supporting the putative link. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify recent reports investigating LUTS and OS in major chronic diseases. In addition, studies on the impact of OS on the lower urinary tract, including bladder, urethra, and prostate, were collected and summarized. Many studies showed LUTS are prevalent in aging and major chronic diseases, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. At the same time, OS is a key component in the pathogenesis of those chronic diseases and conditions. Recent studies also provided evidence that exacerbated OS can cause functional and/or structural changes in the bladder, urethra, and prostate, leading to LUTS. The reviewed data support the concept that OS is involved in multiple risk factors-associated LUTS, although further studies are needed to confirm the causative relationship. The specific ROS/RNS and corresponding reactions/pathways involved in chronic diseases and associated LUTS should be identified in the future and could serve as therapeutic targets.

Predictors of Storage Symptom Improvement After Plasma Kinetic Enucleation of the Prostate

OBJECTIVE

To investigate which preoperative findings portend poor improvement in storage symptoms in patients undergoing plasma kinetic enucleation of prostate (PKEP).

METHODS

A single surgeon series of patients who had undergone PKEP with minimum 1 year follow up were evaluated. Patients were grouped into those with less than 33% improvement in storage symptoms (LIS) according to the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and those with greater than 33% improvement in storage symptoms (GIS). Pre and postoperative factors were evaluated, along with IPSS, storage symptoms percentage (the total from frequency, urgency and nocturia divided by the total IPSS), bother index, and post void residual (PVR) at 6 weeks, 4 months, and yearly.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty-eight patients had a minimum 1 year of follow up and had completed the IPSS. IPSS and bother index improved significantly from preoperatively to all time points post operatively in both groups, but the difference was greater in the GIS group. Patients in the GIS group had significantly larger prostates, more prostatic ingrowth, higher preoperative PVR, and a higher overall IPSS compared to the LIS group. Those in the LIS group had a higher incidence of prior prostate surgery, and a higher BMI. However, storage symptom percentages were equal between the GIS and LIS groups at all time points.

CONCLUSION

Greater prostatic ingrowth, larger prostate volume, higher preoperative PVR volume, and a higher overall IPSS was associated with greater improvement in storage symptoms. Prior prostate surgery and higher BMI portend less improvement in storage symptoms.

How obesity affects the benefits of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for the treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms

Objectives:

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) can be used regardless of prostate size and offers durable long-term results for patients suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/benign prostatic obstruction (BPO), with reduced perioperative morbidity. In most western societies almost half of the population are overweight, and obesity itself is often a risk factor for surgical treatment of patients. We therefore analysed the impact of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes and perioperative morbidity in patients undergoing HoLEP for LUTS at our tertiary referral centre.

Methods:

We retrospectively collected data for 877 patients who underwent HoLEP for LUTS/BPO between 2014 and 2018 and divided patients into group 1 (BMI<25), 2 (BMI 25<30), and 3 (BMI⩾30). We analysed perioperative parameters, safety, and short-term functional outcomes.

Results:

In preoperative patient characteristics we observed a similar LUTS profile throughout our patient cohorts. The highest proportion of ASA score ⩾III was observed in the obese patient cohort. Enucleation time was significantly prolonged in morbidly obese patients and operative speed was significantly slower, without difference in perioperative complications. Functional outcomes were assessed 30 days post-surgery with significant improvement in IPSS, quality of life (QoL) and Qmax for all groups.

Conclusion:

Although operating on overweight and obese patients takes significantly longer, HoLEP is efficient and offers acceptable perioperative complication rates even in morbidly obese patients (BMI⩾30).

Level of evidence:

Not applicable.

Low lean mass is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms in US men from the 2005-2006 national health and nutrition examination survey dataset

We investigated the relationship between low lean mass (LLM) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) using the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. We enrolled 959 men with an average age of 52.08 ± 7.91 years and performed weighted multiple regression analysis to determine the independent relationship between exposure variables (LLM, alternate LLM) and outcomes variables (urinary hesitancy, incomplete emptying, urinary frequency, nocturia, daytime LUTS, clinical LUTS) after adjusting for confounding factors. The prevalence of urinary hesitancy (OR = 7.76, P < 0.0001), incomplete emptying (OR = 2.49, P = 0.0070), urinary frequency (OR = 3.28, P < 0.0001), daytime LUTS (OR = 3.88, P < 0.0001) and clinical LUTS (OR = 8.11, P < 0.0001) was significantly higher among men with LLM compared to men without LLM. Moreover, alternate LLM (ALLM) was positively associated with urinary hesitancy (OR = 17.97, P < 0.0001), incomplete emptying (OR = 4.68, P = 0.0003), daytime LUTS (OR = 2.47, P = 0.0136) and clinical LUTS (OR = 12.18, P < 0.0001). These findings demonstrate that both LLM and ALLM were associated with a higher risk of LUTS in men aged ≥ 40 years, which suggested that early management and treatment of lean mass loss may improve or alleviate LUTS.

Metabolic syndrome is associated with prostate enlargement: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression on patients with lower urinary tract symptom factors

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by at least three of the following five criteria: blood pressure ⩾130/85 mmHg, fasting blood glucose ⩾5.6 mmol/l, triglycerides concentration ⩾1.7 mmol/l, waist circumference ⩾102 cm (for men), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration <1.03 mmol/l (for men). MetS has been associated with worse lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and higher International Prostate Symptom questionnaire scores.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov, and SCOPUS were critically appraised for all peer-reviewed manuscripts that suitably fulfilled our protocol's inclusion criteria established a priori. Meta-analytical and meta-regression calculations were performed in R using the Sidik-Jonkman and Hartung-Knapp random effects model and predefined covariates.

RESULTS

A total of 70 studies (n = 90,206) were included in qualitative synthesis. From these, 60 studies focused on MetS and LUTS: 44 reported positive correlations, 5 reported negative correlations, 11 reported no association, and 10 studies focused on MetS and total prostate volume (TPV). MetS positively correlated with moderate LUTS [odds ratio (OR)  = 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.35-1.80], severe LUTS (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.82-3.03), overactive bladder (OAB; OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.6-5.8), and nocturia severity (OR = 2.509, 95% CI = 1.571-4.007) at multivariate analysis. A total of 30 studies (n = 22,206) were included in meta-analysis; MetS was significantly associated with higher TPV (mean differences = 4.4450 ml, 95% CI = 2.0177-6.8723), but no significant predictive factors for effect sizes were discovered.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis demonstrates a significant association between the aggravating effects of MetS, which commonly coexists with obesity and benign prostate enlargement.

Risk of complications and urinary incontinence following cytoreductive prostatectomy: a multi-institutional study

Emerging evidence has suggested that cytoreductive prostatectomy (CRP) allows superior oncologic control when compared to current standard of care androgen deprivation therapy alone. However, the safety and benefit of cytoreduction in metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) has not been proven. Therefore, we evaluated the incidence of complications following CRP in men newly diagnosed with mPCa. A total of 68 patients who underwent CRP from 2006 to 2014 at four tertiary surgical centers were compared to 598 men who underwent radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa). Urinary incontinence was defined as the use of any pad. CRP had longer operative times (200 min vs 140 min, P < 0.0001) and higher estimated blood loss (250 ml vs 125 ml, P < 0.0001) compared to the control group. However, both overall (8.82% vs 5.85%) and major complication rates (4.41% vs 2.17%) were comparable between the two groups. Importantly, urinary incontinence rate at 1-year after surgery was significantly higher in the CRP group (57.4% vs 90.8%, P < 0.0001). Univariate logistic analysis showed that the estimated blood loss was the only independent predictor of perioperative complications both in the unadjusted model (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.02–1.37; P = 0.025) and surgery type-adjusted model (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.01–1.36; P = 0.034). In conclusion, CRP is more challenging than radical prostatectomy and associated with a notably higher incidence of urinary incontinence. Nevertheless, CRP is a technically feasible and safe surgery for selecting PCa patients who present with node-positive or bony metastasis when performed by experienced surgeons. A prospective, multi-institutional clinical trial is currently underway to verify this concept.

Management of Overactive Bladder Symptoms After Radical Prostatectomy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Post-prostatectomy overactive bladder (OAB) is a common and challenging condition to manage. The aim of the present report was to review the recent evidences regarding OAB symptoms that develop in men after prostatectomy and how to manage them.

RECENT FINDINGS

The prevalence of OAB after radical prostatectomy may range from 15.2 to 37.8%. Recent studies have highlighted the role of the urethrogenic mechanism (facilitation of the urethrovesical reflex due to stress urinary incontinence (SUI)) in the genesis of post-prostatectomy OAB in a significant proportion of patients. Several other pathophysiological factors such as iatrogenic decentralization of the bladder, defunctionalized bladder due to severe SUI, detrusor underactivity, or bladder outlet obstruction might be involved. The evaluation should aim to identify the underlying mechanism to tailor the treatment, which could range from SUI surgery, to fixing a urethral stricture, improving bladder emptying or using the conventional spectrum of OAB therapies. There is a paucity of data for OAB therapies specific to post-prostatectomy patients, with the exception of solifenacin, tolterodine, and botulinum toxin. There is currently no data on how preoperative management or surgical technique may prevent post-prostatectomy OAB.

Impact of Testosterone Deficiency and Testosterone Therapy on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men with Metabolic Syndrome

Lower urinary tract function is modulated by neural, vascular and urethral and bladder structural elements. The pathophysiological mechanisms of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) encompass prostate enlargement, alterations in urethra histological structure bladder fibrosis and alterations in pelvic neuronal and vascular networks, The complex pathophysiological relationship between testosterone (T) deficiency (TD) and the constellations LUTS, and metabolic dysfunction manifested in the metabolic syndrome (Met S) remains poorly understood. TD has emerged as one the potential targets by which Met S may contribute to the onset and development as well as worsening of LUTS. Because it has been recognized that treatment of men with Met S with T therapy ameliorates Met S components, it is postulated that T therapy may represent a therapeutic target in improving LUTS. Furthermore, the effect of TD on the prostate remains unclear, and often debatable. It is believed that T exclusively promotes prostate growth, however recent evidence has strongly contradicted this belief. The true relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia, TD, and LUTS remains elusive and further research will be required to clarify the role of T in both benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and LUTS as a whole. Although there is conflicting evidence about the benefits of T therapy in men with BPH and LUTS, the current body of literature supports the safety of using this therapy in men with enlarged prostate. As the population afflicted with obesity epidemic continues to age, the number of men suffering from Met S and LUTS together is expected to increase.

Safety and feasibility of thullium laser transurethral resection of prostate for the treatment of benign prostatic enlargement in overweight patients

Objective

We aimed to determine safety and feasibility of thulium laser transurethral vapoenucleation of prostate (ThuVEP) for treatment of obese patients affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods

We retrospectively analysed data of 452 patients with BPH who underwent ThuVEP from February 2012 to March 2016 in a single center. Patients were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI, kg/m²): Normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25; Group A), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30; Group B) and obese (BMI ≥ 30; Group C), for a total of 412 patients evaluable for this study. Preoperative total serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), digital rectal examination of the prostate, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), renal ultrasound, urine culture, uroflowmetry, International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), and Quality of Life (QoL) score were analyzed. Post-operative complications, hospital stay and days of catheterization, questionnaires and uroflowmetry at 1 and 3 months after surgery were evaluated. Preoperative data, surgical outcomes, complication rate and clinical outcomes were compared between groups.

Results

The median age of patients was 69 years (Interquartile Range [IQR 10]). The preoperative median IPSS among groups was 19 (IQR 8.75), 20 (IQR 10), and 18 (IQR 10) respectively. At 1 and 3 months of follow-up, this value was 8 (IQR 7), 8 (IQR 4), 7 (IQR 5) and 5 (IQR 6.25), 5 (IQR 6), 6 (IQR 5), respectively (all p between groups > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference among three groups as for hospital stay and days of catheterization (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results showed that ThuVEP was safe and feasible even in overweight patients with substantially enlarged prostate.

Impact of Obesity on Long-Term Urinary Incontinence after Radical Prostatectomy: A Meta-Analysis

Obesity is a known risk factor for prostate cancer progression and may contribute to poor treatment outcomes. However, little is known concerning the relationship between obesity (body mass index [BMI] ⩾ 30) and the urinary incontinence (UI) of patients after radical prostatectomy (RP). The goal of this study was to focus on the prevalence and duration of UI after RP with specific attention to the BMI. Subsequently, trials were identified in a literature search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using appropriate search terms. All comparative studies reporting BMI, study characteristics, and outcome data including the relationship between BMI and urinary incontinence data were included. Finally, four studies comprising 6 trials with 2890 participants were included. The results showed that obesity increased UI risk at 12 months in patients who underwent robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RLRP) (odds ratio [OR] 2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.21, 4.88], P = 0.01). When stratified by the surgical methods, the pooled results showed that obesity increased UI risk at 24 months in patients who underwent RLRP (OR 2.00, 95% CI [1.57, 2.56], P < 0.001). However, in patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), the pooled results showed that obesity does not increase UI risk at 24 months (OR 1.13, 95% CI [0.74, 1.72], P = 0.58). This is the first study to include obesity as the primary independent variable. Outcomes indicate that obesity (BMI ≥ 30) may increase the UI risk at 12 and 24 months after RLRP. Well-designed randomized controlled trials with strict control of confounders are needed to make results comparable.

Best practice in the management of storage symptoms in male lower urinary tract symptoms: a review of the evidence base

Storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are characterized by an altered bladder sensation, increased daytime frequency, nocturia, urgency and urgency incontinence. Some evidence underlines the role of metabolic factors, pelvic ischemia, prostatic chronic inflammation and associated comorbidities in the pathophysiology of storage LUTS. A detailed evaluation of the severity of storage LUTS, and the concomitance of these symptoms with voiding and postmicturition symptoms, is mandatory for improving the diagnosis and personalizing treatment. A detailed medical history with comorbidities and associated risk factors, a physical examination, a comprehensive analysis of all the features of LUTS, including their impact on quality of life, and a frequency-volume chart (FVC) or bladder diary, are recommended for men with storage LUTS. Several drugs are available for the treatment of LUTS secondary to benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). Alpha-blockers (α-blockers), 5-α-reductase inhibitors and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are commonly used to manage storage LUTS occurring with voiding symptoms associated with BPO. Muscarinic receptor antagonists and Beta 3-agonists (β3-agonists) alone, or in combination with α-blockers, represent the gold standard of treatment in men with predominant storage LUTS. There is no specific recommendation regarding the best treatment options for storage LUTS after prostatic surgery.

Predictors of urinary incontinence between abdominal obesity and non-obese male adults

OBJECTIVES

To investigate factors that may be associated with urinary incontinence (UI) in abdominal obese and non-obese adult males.

METHODS

Data were analyzed for 2671 men (≥40 years of age) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2008). We define abdominal obesity as a waist circumference >102 cm. Men with Incontinence Severity Index ≥3 were defined as having UI. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with stress and urge UI.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis found that in abdominal obese men, stress UI was associated with enlarged prostate (odds ratio [OR] = 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-4.16), chronic respiratory tract disease (OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.55-4.97), and major depression (OR = 4.79, 95% CI: 1.79-12.84). In non-obese men, arthritis was associated with stress UI (odds ratio = 3.37, 95% CI: 1.06-10.73). Urge UI in abdominally obese men was associated with age ≥65 years (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.05-2.67), being non-Hispanic black (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.06-2.52), and with enlarged prostate (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.54-3.40), arthritis (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.03-1.88), and major depression (OR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.89-4.64). Urge UI in non-obese men was associated with current smoking (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.01-3.17), major depression (OR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.33-5.09) and vitamin D deficiency (OR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.01-2.59).

CONCLUSION

Factors associated with urinary incontinence varied with abdominal obesity status and type of UI. The findings identify important contributors to urinary incontinence that clinicians should consider to help manage and effectively treat the condition.