Is biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training superior to pelvic floor muscle training alone in the treatment of dysfunctional voiding in women? A prospective randomized study

Purpose:

To compare the effectiveness of biofeedback-assisted pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and PFMT alone on voiding parameters in women with dysfunctional voiding (DV).

Materials and Methods:

The patients in group 1 (34 patients) were treated with biofeedback-assisted PFMT, and the patients in group 2 (34 patients) were treated with PFMT alone for 12 weeks. The 24-hour frequency, average voided volume, maximum urine flow rate (Q_max), average urine flow rate (Q_ave), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), and the validated Turkish Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) symptom scores were recorded before and after 12 weeks of treatment.

Results:

At the end of treatment sessions, the Q_max and Q_ave values of the patients in group 1 were significantly higher than those in group 2, and the PVR in the patients in group 1 was significantly lower than those in group 2 (p=.026, .043, and .023, respectively). The average UDI-6 symptom scores of the patients in group 1 were significantly lower than those in group 2 (p=.034). Electromyography activity during voiding, in group 1 was significantly lower than in group 2 (41.2 vs. 64.7, respectively, p=.009).

Conclusion:

Biofeedback-assisted PFMT is more effective than PFMT alone in improving clinical symptoms, uroflowmetry parameters, and EMG activity during voiding.

Mutual comprehension of urological abbreviations

Objective:

To establish the comprehension of urological abbreviations by non-urologists, and evaluate the awareness of urologists to this issue.

Subjects and methods:

This study involved complimentary surveys to non-urologists and urologists in the same area. The non-urologist survey was distributed to three groups: medical students, junior doctors, GPs and GP trainees. It assessed the comprehension of 24 commonly used urological abbreviations. The urologists’ survey assessed the urologists’ expectations of comprehension by each of the non-urologist groups. A total of 196 non-urologists (19 medical students, 35 junior doctors and 142 GPs and GP trainees), and 11 urologists and urological trainees participated.

Results:

On average the junior doctors and GPs understood approximately the same number of abbreviations (9.86 and 9.62 correct, respectively), with the medical students understanding fewer (7.89 correct). While this difference was statistically significant (F2,193df=3.875, P=0.022), gender, number of years post-graduation and completion of a urology term were not shown to have an impact on the comprehension of urological abbreviations. Of the 24 abbreviations, nine were correctly understood by more than 50% of non-urologists. The urologists did not expect non-urologists to understand a majority of the abbreviations; however, most also reported not using abbreviations routinely in communications with non-urologists.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that caution must be used when using abbreviations in communication with non-urologists as there is a high chance of the recipient not understanding the abbreviations. This is particularly pertinent given the current rollout of electronic medical records across Australia.

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre study to explore the efficacy and safety of tamsulosin and tolterodine in women with overactive bladder syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of tamsulosin oral-controlled absorption system (OCAS) vs placebo in overactive bladder (OAB), to evaluate the safety and tolerability of once-daily dosing with tamsulosin OCAS, and to compare the efficacy and safety with tolterodine extended-release (ER).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A parallel-group, multicentre, multinational study was conducted with a single-blind placebo run-in period of 2 weeks, followed by a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy active and placebo-controlled treatment period of 6 weeks; women (aged 18-70 years) with symptoms of OAB for >/= 3 months were recruited. Women were randomized to receive one of four doses of tamsulosin OCAS (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg), 4 mg of tolterodine ER, or placebo once daily for 6 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was the change in the mean number of voids/24 h. Secondary efficacy variables included change from baseline in; mean volume voided per void, mean number of incontinence episodes/24 h, mean number of urgency episodes/24 h and in quality of life (QoL), as assessed using the Kings Health Questionnaire (KHQ).

RESULTS

Overall, 364 women were randomized; the primary efficacy analysis showed that the difference from placebo in the mean number of voids/24 h was not statistically significant for tamsulosin OCAS 1.5 mg (P = 0.189). There was no statistically significant difference for tolterodine ER 4 mg vs placebo in the mean number of voids/24 h (P = 0.353). Similarly, for the secondary outcome variables there was no statistically significant difference between tamsulosin and placebo. Although women taking tolterodine ER 4 mg had a consistently greater increase in mean voided volume/void and consistent decreases in incontinence episodes/24 h, urgency episodes/24 h and episodes of nocturia/24 h, this was not statistically significant. There was no significant improvement in QoL scores across the treatment groups. Tamsulosin OCAS was well tolerated and the proportion of women discontinuing because of adverse events was low (4.7%).

CONCLUSION

Tamsulosin is not effective for treating OAB in women and the evidence from this study does not support its use on an empirical basis.

Magnetic resonance imaging in prostate cancer

With the recently published National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines, it is now generally accepted that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the imaging method of choice for staging prostate cancer in patients for whom radical treatment is being considered. MRI offers the single most accurate assessment of local disease and regional metastatic spread. As well as detecting extraprostatic extension, this technique can locate the site of intraprostatic disease, which may prove useful in planning disease-targeting therapies currently being developed. However, numerous studies have reported widely varying accuracies indicating that MRI is not the perfect imaging modality; microscopic and early macroscopic invasion cannot be reliably shown using current technology. The role of MRI including advantages, limitations and future developments will be discussed.

Diagnosis and treatment of voiding symptoms

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are associated with lower urinary tract dysfunction. Symptoms are the subjective indicator of a disease or change in condition as perceived by the patient, caregiver, or partner and may lead the individual to seek help from health care professionals. LUTS are usually qualitative and, therefore, cannot usually be used to make a definitive diagnosis. LUTS also can indicate pathologies other than lower urinary tract dysfunction, such as urinary infection. LUTS are divided into 7 groups: storage, voiding (obstructive), postmicturition symptoms and 4 others. Voiding symptoms, which are caused by lower urinary tract obstruction, include slow stream, splitting or spraying, intermittency, hesitancy, straining, and terminal dribble. Postmicturition symptoms, which are experienced immediately after micturition, consist of the feeling of incomplete emptying and postmicturition dribble. Postmicturition dribble describes the involuntary loss of urine immediately after the individual has finished passing urine; in men, usually after leaving the toilet and in women, after rising from the toilet. Hence, postmicturition dribble is elicited by different situations or is considered as having different implications. For example, although postmicturition dribble usually implies incomplete emptying (voiding symptoms) in elderly men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, postmicturition dribble is often considered as urinary incontinence (a storage symptom) in many patients, even with bladder outlet obstruction. In such cases, detailed history taking and further evaluation, such as urinary flowmetry, postvoid residual volume, and comprehensive urodynamic evaluation, should be performed as appropriate. If no urodynamic abnormalities of either the detrusor or the outlet can be detected despite significant LUTS, factors unrelated to the lower urinary tract may be responsible for the voiding symptoms.

Review article: Effects of radiographic contrast media on the lung

The pulmonary adverse effects of intravascular use of water soluble radiographic contrast media (RCM) include bronchospasm, pulmonary oedema and increase in the pulmonary arterial blood pressure (Ppa). Symptomatic bronchospasm is rare but subclinical increase in airways resistance is common after intravascular injection of RCM. Experimental studies have demonstrated that the low osmolar ionic dimer ioxaglate can induce significant bronchospasm in comparison with other types of RCM. Histamine and endothelin, which are potent bronchoconstrictors and released in response to the administration of RCM, do not seem to mediate the bronchospastic effect of RCM. Pretreatment with corticosteroids or antihistamine does not appear to prevent RCM induced bronchospasm, but the administration of beta(2) adrenergic agonist can abolish this adverse effect. RCM induced pulmonary oedema can be secondary to endothelial injury causing an increase in the permeability of the microcirculation. It may also occur in patients with incipient cardiac failure, when large doses of RCM particularly of the high osmolar type are used. A rise in Ppa induced by RCM seems to be secondary to an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance through direct effects on the pulmonary circulation. Low osmolar non ionic monomers induce the least changes in the pulmonary circulation and should be the contrast media of choice for intravascular use in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The mechanisms responsible for the effects of RCM on airway resistance and pulmonary circulation remain unclear. Intrabronchial administration of high osmolar water soluble RCM is dangerous and can induce severe bronchial irritation and pulmonary oedema. Low osmolar RCM are well tolerated by the lungs following aspiration with minimal histological reaction.

The effect of oestradiol on vaginal collagen metabolism in postmenopausal women with genuine stress incontinence

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether oestrogen replacement will produce an improvement in the quantity, or quality, of pelvic collagen in postmenopausal women.

DESIGN

A prospective double-blind placebo controlled trial of oestrogen therapy.

SETTING

Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.

POPULATION

Fifty-five postmenopausal women with a urodynamic diagnosis of genuine urinary stress incontinence.

METHODS

Randomisation to a six-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, trial of oestradiol valerate 2mg once daily. A 10mg-30mg periurethral biopsy was taken from the vaginal epithelium before and after treatment. Tissue was analysed for total collagen content, intermolecular cross-links, advanced glycation end-products, collagen type ratios and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity.

RESULTS

Forty-nine women completed the trial of whom 26 received oestrogen and 23 received placebo. When compared with placebo, oestrogen treatment resulted in significant decreases in total collagen (P = 0.0054), the mature cross-link HHL (P = 0.0009) and the advanced glycation end-product NFC-1 (P = 0.0009). There was a significant rise in the immature cross-link HLKNL (P = 0.0191). Oestrogen produced a significant increase in MMP-2 expression (Pro MMP-2, P = 0.0017).

CONCLUSIONS

Six months treatment with oestrogen has profound effects upon pelvic collagen metabolism, stimulating collagen degradation via increased proteinase activity. While aged collagen is being lost, new collagen is synthesised as witnessed by the increase in the immature cross-links and the decrease in both mature cross-links and advanced glycation end-products. Collagen loss contradicts previous reports; perhaps aged collagen degradation is merely an early response to oestrogen stimulation. We have evidence of new collagen synthesis, and it may be that a longer treatment interval would show total collagen content increasing. Further studies within this field are warranted.

Recent clinical trials in superficial bladder cancer

The present review addresses literature regarding the management of superficial bladder cancer published since March 2000. There is no definitive winner among urinary markers of bladder cancer, because they lack specificity or are insufficiently tested. Pathologists continue in their efforts to improve prediction of evolution of superficial bladder cancer to recurrent or infiltrative disease. A few studies have confirmed the value of previously described prognostic factors for recurrence and progression, and have added some refinements. Transurethral resection is not as complete as was believed. Fluorescence detection of flat bladder carcinoma has been demonstrated to improve diagnosis and treatment. The necessity to perform a repeat transurethral resection in high-grade superficial bladder cancer became evident. Identification of the working mechanisms of bacille Calmette-Guérin on superficial bladder cancer remains an important objective, and may help to improve treatment schedules and avoid the morbidity associated with bacille Calmette-Guérin administration. Patients who are at high risk may benefit from long-term maintenance bacille Calmette-Guérin therapy. Valrubicin and keyhole limpet haemocyanin appear to be promising agents in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer.

Clinicopathologic features and human papillomavirus dna prevalence of warty and squamous cell carcinoma of the penis

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for 95% of penile malignant neoplasms. A subtype of SCC, named warty carcinoma (WC), is a morphologically distinct verruciform tumor with features of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related lesions. Descriptions of the behavior and histologic features of this tumor are scarce in the literature. The aim of this report is to analyze the clinicopathologic features and HPV deoxyribonucleic acid status in 60 SCCs and 11 WCs. The mean patient age was 46.5 +/- 15.9 years for WC and 52.6 +/- 12.4 years for SCC. No significant differences in age (p = 0.154) and clinical staging (T, p = 0.649; N, p = 0.497) between the two groups of tumors were found. When compared with SCCs, WCs exhibited less lymphatic embolization (p = 0.001), nodal metastasis (p = 0.019), and corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum infiltration (p = 0.040). Lymph node metastases were found in 34 of 60 SCC patients (56.7%) and in two of 11 WC patients (18.2%). No patients with WC tumors died of the disease compared with 19 of 60 (5-year specific survival, 66.0%) in the SCC group (p = 0.032). HPV deoxyribonucleic acid was more likely to be associated with WC (five of 11, 45.5%) than SCC (16 of 60, 26.7%), although significance was not reached (p = 0.209). The results suggest that WC is less aggressive and confers a better prognosis than typical SCC of the penis.