Profiling genitourinary injuries in United Arab Emirates

Urology research publications: lessons learned from a developing country

Background

There is very limited data on the nature and type of published research in the field of Urology in the developing countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the Urology research activities in one of the Gulf counties (United Arab Emirates (UAE) to define areas of deficiencies and challenges in a trial to learn some lessons to improve research in developing countries.

Results

A total of 96 manuscripts were published from UAE up to 2012. The first publication was in 1985. There is an overall increase in the number of manuscripts published per year over time (one manuscript in 1985 vs. 10 manuscripts in 2012). Forty seven (49%) manuscripts came from the main academic institute (UAE University) and the rest came from the many hospitals around the country. There were 68 original research articles, 4 reviews and 24 case reports. 64 manuscripts represented clinical whereas 32 represented laboratory-based research. The manuscripts represented various urology subspecialties, the commonest of which was urinary obstruction and urolithiasis (n = 19). None of the manuscripts represented a proper epidemiological research. The research activities were sporadic and driven by individuals during particular periods with lack of continuity.

Conclusions

Despite the increasing number of urology articles in this developing country, there is a lack of proper epidemiological studies to identify the local prevalence and behaviour of various conditions. There is also a lack of research groups and hence a lack of continuity of research in any particular field as the research is usually driven by specific research-oriented individuals the departure of who results in a cease in the research activities. Moreover, there is an evidence of lack of research training and capability in the majority of institutes. These observations might assist policy decision makers to develop research in this country and other developing countries.

Assessment of genitourinary trauma in southeastern iran

BACKGROUND

To survey genitourinary (GU) organ injury following general trauma, we performed an epidemiologic study of urogenital injuries in trauma patients referred to our hospital (a teaching hospital affiliated with the Zahedan University of Medical Sciences).

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the epidemiology of urogenital system injuries in southeastern Iran.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From April 2009 to November 2011, all patients with GU injuries referred to our hospital were studied. The data including age, sex, type of injury, mechanism of trauma, and prognosis of patients was collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

From a total of 3450 patients, 66 (1.91%) had injuries of the urogenital system; 49(74.24%) were male and 17(25.75%) female. The patients' mean age was 23 ± 12 years (range 2 to 75 years). Of these 66 patients, 61 (94.24%) had blunt trauma, and 5 (7.57%) had penetrating trauma. Motor vehicle accidents were the most common cause of trauma (63.63%). The most common injured organs were kidneys in 41 (62.12%) and the bladder in 9 (13.6%); 47 patients (71.21%) had associated intra-abdominal injuries, and 42 (63.63%) had other accompanying injuries; 23(34.84%) patients required surgical intervention. Three patients (4.54%) died due to the severity of injuries (Injury Severity Score > 12).

CONCLUSIONS

In our assessment, blunt trauma including road traffic accidents were the main cause of urogenital injuries. Most patients with urogenital trauma had multiple injuries, and required a multidisciplinary approach for management.

Product related adult genitourinary injuries treated at emergency departments in the United States from 2002 to 2010

PURPOSE

We describe the epidemiological features of adult genitourinary injuries related to consumer products and determined the patient cohorts, products and situations associated with increased genitourinary injury risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a data set validated to provide a probability sample of injury related emergency department presentations in the United States, was analyzed to characterize genitourinary injuries from 2002 to 2010. We analyzed 3,545 observations to derive national estimates.

RESULTS

An estimated 142,144 adults (95% CI 115,324-168,964) presented to American emergency departments with genitourinary injuries from 2002 to 2010. Of the injuries 69% occurred in men. A large majority of injuries involved the external genitalia. The most common categories of products involved were sporting items in 30.2% of cases, clothing articles in 9.4% and furniture in 9.2%. The highest prevalence of injury was at ages 18 to 28 years (37.5%), which was most often related to sports equipment, such as bicycles. Older cohorts (age greater than 65 years) more commonly sustained injuries during falls and often in the bathroom during use of a shower or tub. Of all patients 88% were evaluated and treated in the emergency department without inpatient admission, although the admission rate increased with increasing patient age.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute genitourinary injury is often associated with common consumer items and with identifiable high risk cohorts, products and situations. Consumers, practitioners and safety champions can use our epidemiological data to prioritize and develop strategies aimed at the prevention, limitation and informed treatment of such injuries.