Association Between Urinary Flow Rate and Cognition in the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Age-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is a common disease in the elderly. The reduction of urinary flow rate (UFR) as an assessment of LUTS is associated with cognitive impairment. The association between UFR and cognitive performance has not been studied to date. Methods We used data from the 2011 to 2014 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Finally, 2,724 participants aged 65-80 with available data on UFR and cognitive assessments were included. The cognitive function assessment used the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), Animal Fluency Test (AFT) and the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) immediate recall test. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the association between UFR (exposure) and cognitive performance (outcome). Additionally, to ensure the reliability of data analysis, we converted UFR into categorical variables through tertile and then calculated the P for trend. Results Among 2,724 participants, the mean (SD) age was 69.26 (6.65) years, and 54.56% were women. After adjusting for covariates, UFR showed a positive correlation with DSST score (β = 2.00, [95%Cl:1.20-2.80], P<0.0001), AFT score (β = 0.57,[95%Cl:0.28-0.87], P=0.0001), CERAD immediate score(β = 0.24, [95%Cl:0.01-0.47], P=0.0435). In addition, we found a similar linear trend when UFR was regarded as a categorical variable (tertile) (P for trend <0.0001(both in AFT and DSST); P for trend =0.0403 in CERAD immediate test). Conclusions The decrease of UFR is related to cognitive decline in the elderly, which may suggest that UFR may be a clinical marker of predicting cognitive decline.

Transurethral Intraprostatic Botulinum Toxin-a Injection in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Case Series and Literature Review

Background: We aimed to assess the efficacy of Intraprostatic Onabotulinumtoxin-A (BTA) on the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and other objective measures of patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Methods: Fifteen patients were included in this study. The drug (BTA; 150 IU) was reconstituted in 20 mL of 0.9% saline before administration to the patients. After providing urethral anesthesia, 20 intraurethral injections were made to lateral lobes of the prostate, 10 injections in each lobe. Follow-up visits were planned 3 and 12 months after the intervention. Pre- and post-interventional IPSS, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), Prostate Volume (PV), Post-Void Residue (PVR), and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) compared via paired t-test. Finally, we reviewed the Pubmed database to provide a more precise conclusion. Results: The Mean±SD age of patients was 69±8.24 years, and the mean IPSS score decreased significantly from 24.3±3.3 to 14.6±3.7 (p<0.001) and 16.86±3.06 (p<0.009) on the 3rd and 12th months, respectively. The Mean±SD PSA, PVR, Qmax, and PV were 3.26±1.38, 82.33±35.55, 8.56±1.76, and 47.86±8.93, respectively at baseline. These factors significantly improved to 2.72±1.33 (P<0.000), 71.33±30.55 (p<0.000), 9.5±1.33 (p<0.011), and 42.86± 6.04 (p<0.000), respectively, on the 12th month follow-up. Conclusion: Although the overall results support the efficacy of BTA for BPH, the best route of administration, the most effective dose, the optimal number, and the volume of injections need further investigations. The probable placebo effect and underlying medical conditions (e.g., insulin resistance) should be considered as the confounding factors.

Evaluation of the short-term outcome of unilateral urethral mobilization for the management of bulbar urethral stricture

Background: In modern urology, successful male urethral reconstruction poses a continuing challenge.Methods: It was a quasi-experimental study conducted in the department of urology, Dhaka medical college hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh between January 2010 to December 2011. 35 patients having bulbar urethral strictures admitted in the department were study participants. All the participants underwent unilateral urethral mobilization, for buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty and followed up at least six months. RGU and MCU was done when peak flow was <15 ml /sec in uroflowmetry. Urethroscopy was done at 3rd and 6th month. The statistics used to analyze the data were descriptive statistics, and the tests done were student’s t-test, chi-square test, ANOVA, and Fisher exact test.Results: The length of strictures was observed ≤3 cm among 31% (n=11) and >3 cm among 69% (n=24) patients. As the immediate postoperative outcome among the participants, we found the mean peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), 15.3±1.2 and voided urine volume (ml), 328.8±50. Finally, as the postoperative outcome after 6 months among the participants, we found the mean peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), 24.2±2.9; voided urine volume (ml), 330.8±50.1 and PVR (ml), 11.6±3.3. In this study, some potential complications were bleeding and wound infection which were found among 11.43% and 17.14% patients respectively. Conclusions: Considering the satisfactory outcomes and lower complications unilateral urethral mobilization procedure can be considered as an effective treatment method for the management of bulbar urethral stricture.

Comparative Analysis between Monopolar and Bipolar TURP - A Single Institute Prospective Controlled Study

Background: The ‘gold standard’ surgical treatment of clinically obstructive BPH is TURP, but life-threatening complications such as transurethral resection syndrome are occasionally observed. This has traditionally been provided as monopolar TURP, but morbidity associated with MTURP has led to the introduction of other surgical techniques. Objectives: To compare the effects of bipolar and monopolar TURP. Methods: In this prospective comparative study, 50 patients of each group undergo transurethral resection of prostate were enrolled and randomized to surgery by M‑TURP or B-TURP. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, ultrasonography, prevoid, postvoid and international prostate symptom score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine (PVRU) volume, and prostate volume (PV). Complications and sequelae also assessed. Comparisons performed. Results:No significant differences found in baseline characteristics or operative data, No differences found in IPSS, Qmax or PVRU volume. Conclusions:Based on this controlled trial, there is not significant variation in effectiveness and safety between M-TURP and Bipolar -TURP for the treatment of BPH. Accordingly, M-TURP continues to be a valid option for the treatment of BPE. Keywords: Transurethral resection of prostate, Monopolar, Bipolar.

Oral Treatment with Angiotensin-(1-7) Attenuates the Kidney Injury Induced by Gentamicin in Wistar Rats

Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), a common disease of the urinary system, can be induced by high doses of gentamicin (GM). The Renin-Angiotensin System exerts a key role in the progression of the AKI since elevated intrarenal levels of Ang II, and ACE activity is found in this condition. However, it is unknown whether oral administration of Ang-(1-7), a heptapeptide that evokes opposite effects of Ang II, may attenuate the renal injuries induced by gentamicin. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of Ang (1-7) on GM-induced renal dysfunction in rats. Methods: AKI was induced by subcutaneous administration of GM (80 mg/Kg) for 5 days. Simultaneously, Ang-(1-7) included in hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) was administered by gavage [46 μg/kg HPβCD + 30 μg/kg Ang- (1-7)]. At the end of the treatment period (sixth day), the rats were housed in metabolic cages for renal function evaluation. Thereafter, blood and kidney samples were collected. Results: The Ang-(1-7) attenuated the increase of the plasmatic creatinine and proteinuria caused by GM but did not change the glomerular filtration rate nor tubular necrosis. Ang-(1-7) attenuated the increased urinary flow and the fractional excretion of H2O and potassium observed in GM rats but intensified the elevated excretion of sodium in these animals. Morphological analysis showed that Ang-(1-7) also reduced the tubular vacuolization in kidneys from GM rats. Conclusion: Ang-(1-7) promotes selective beneficial effects in renal injuries induced by GM.

Impact of the Treatment of Serenoa repens, Solanum lycopersicum, Lycopene and Bromelain in Combination with Alfuzosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Results from a Match-Paired Comparison Analysis

Background: Phytotherapeutic agents aroused an increasing interest either as alternative or in addition to conventional therapy in the management of BPH. The aim of the article was to evaluate the clinical and functional changes after add-on treatment with Serenoa repens associated with Solanum lycopersicum, lycopene and bromelain in patients with BPH presenting with mild to moderate LUTS and previously treated only with Alfuzosin over a 6–12 months period. Materials and methods: Between January and July 2019, patients with symptomatic BPH already on treatment with Alfuzosin (Al) 10 mg for at least 6–12-month were enrolled at three academic referral centres, included in a prospective treatment group, and managed with a combination treatment of Al and 6-month daily oral single-tablet supplementation of Serenoa repens and Solanum lycopersicum + lycopene + bromelain (SeR + SL + Ly + Br). A retrospective control group with comparable baseline characteristics was obtained by performing a propensity score matching from a database of 434 patients managed with Alfuzosin 10 mg/day only over a 6–12 months period between March 2015 and December 2018. IPSS, QoL questionnaires, voiding diary assessment, postvoid residual volume (PVR), maximal (Qmax) and average (Qave) urinary flow rates were evaluated at baseline in the treatment group at the moment of patient accrual, in the control group after 6-month of treatment with alfuzosin, and thereafter at 3 and 6 months in both groups. Results: Overall, 250 patients entered the study (n = 125 treatment group; n = 125 control group). Total IPSS score significantly decreased at 6-month assessment from baseline in the treatment vs control group (17 [IQR: 12–20] vs 12 [IQR: 9–14], p = 0.02) with a significative storage symptoms improvement detected both at 3- (p = 0.03) and 6-month evaluation (p = 0.001). PVR significantly improved at each follow-up visit with the most relevant reduction at 6-month assessment (125 cc vs. 102 cc; p = 0.02). Moreover, a significative improvement in LUTS-related quality of life (QoL) was recorded at 3- and 6-month assessment with a median decrease of −1 and −2 (p = 0.05 and p = 0.001 respectively) from baseline. Conclusions: Combination treatment with AB and SeR + SL + Ly + Br led to meaningful improvements in LUTS severity compared to AB as monotherapy, after a 6-month treatment period in men with mild to moderate LUTS/BPH.

Research on Applications of Transurethral Plasmakinetic Enucleation of the Prostate in Elderly Patients Aged ≥80 Years

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transurethral plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate (PKERP) vs. transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in elderly patients aged ≥80 years with benign prostate hyperplasia.Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the PKERP (n = 123) and TURP (n = 143) in patients aged ≥80 years at urology department of The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2016 to October 2019. Then the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data of different indicators were compared between the two groups. The follow-up was done at 3 months, 1 year after surgical treatment.Results: No significant differences were observed between the two groups for the baseline characteristics, including age, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, concurrent disease, maximum urinary flow rate (MFR), international prostate symptoms score (IPSS), and quality of life (QoL) score. The operative time, hemoglobin decrease, and postoperative flushing time were significantly lower in the PKERP group compared with the TURP group. However, no significant differences were observed between both groups for postoperative hospital stay, incidence of transurethral resection syndrome (TURS), prostatic capsular perforation, and genuine urinary incontinence. The follow-up results showed that the MFR of the PKERP group was significantly higher than the TURP group at 1 year after surgery.Conclusion: Compared with TURP, PKERP is a safe and efficacious method for treating patients aged ≥80 years with benign prostate hyperplasia, and it may improve long-term urination symptoms.

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of improved transurethral plasma kinetic enucleation of the prostate in high-risk patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and coronary artery disease

Objective This prospective study aimed to evaluate the safety of improved transurethral plasma kinetic enucleation of the prostate (iTUPKEP) in the perioperative period in high-risk patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and coronary artery disease. Methods Patients with BPH underwent surgical treatment with transurethral vapour resection of the prostate (TUVP) or iTUPKEP. Serum endothelin-1, cardiac troponin-I, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations were evaluated in the short term after surgery. The postvoid residual urine volume, maximum urinary flow rate, international prostate symptom score, and quality of life indicators were evaluated in the long term after surgery. Results Endothelin-1 concentrations were lower in the iTUPKEP group than in the TUVP group at 1 and 2 days postoperatively. The iTUPKEP group had lower cardiac troponin-I and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations at all time points postoperatively. The postvoid residual urine volume, international prostate symptom score, and quality of life values were lower, but the maximum urinary flow rate was higher, in the iTUPKEP group than in the TUVP group. Conclusions The iTUPKEP procedure has a smaller effect on vascular endothelial function compared with TUVP. Therefore, iTUPKEP may reduce the incidence of postoperative cardiovascular adverse events in high-risk patients with BPH and coronary artery disease.

Effect Observation on Modified Zishen Tongguan Decoction Combined with Acupuncture in Treatment of Urinary Retention after Cervical Cancer Surgery and Its Influence on the Incidence of Adverse Reactions

Objective. To explore the effect observation on modified Zishen Tongguan decoction combined with acupuncture in the treatment of urinary retention after cervical cancer surgery and its influence on the incidence of adverse reactions. Methods. The clinical data of 84 patients suffered from urinary retention after radical resection of cervical cancer (December 2018–December 2019) in the oncology department of Jinan Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were selected for retrospective analysis. According to the order of admission, they were divided into group A (n = 42), treated with conventional therapy, modified Zishen Tongguan decoction, and acupuncture, and group B (n = 42), treated with conventional therapy. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was observed, the urination function indexes after therapy were recorded, and the clinical efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions were analyzed. Results. After therapy, compared with group B, the average urinary flow rate, maximum urinary flow rate, bladder compliance (BC) level value, and the number of patients with good recovery of bladder function of group A were obviously higher P < 0.05 , and the urination time and detrusor pressure were obviously lower P < 0.001 . There was no significant difference in the average scoring of overactive bladder syndrome score (OABSS) between the two groups at 7 days of therapy p > 0.05 . The average OABSS of group A at 14 days of therapy was obviously lower than that of group B P < 0.001 . Compared with group B, the total clinical effective rate of group A was obviously higher P < 0.05 , while the total incidence of adverse reactions was obviously lower P < 0.05 . Conclusion. Modified Zishen Tongguan decoction combined with acupuncture is a reliable method to treat urinary retention after cervical cancer surgery, which greatly improves the urination function of patients, as well as the clinical efficacy. Further research will help create a better solution for patients with urinary retention after cervical cancer surgery.

Physiotherapy in patients with cranio-brain traumatism

Head trauma is a traumatic injury to the skull and, when it reaches the brain, it can produce bleeding and clots. Depending on the severity of the trauma, it can generate physical sequelae and behavioral changes, which may appear soon after the trauma or in the medium term.PURPOSE: to verify the effects of electrical stimulation (NMES) and exercise in post-traumatic brain injury patients. A non-systematic review was performed based on randomized clinical trials in the PEDro and PubMed databases, published between 2009 and 2020. The articles with the highest score in the PEDro score were selected. The following keywords were used: traumatic brain injury. Six studies were selected. In one RCT, NMES induced reductions in chronaxis in the tibialis anterior, with a 1.5-day reduction in MV. An RCT, high-frequency or low-frequency NMES equally improved balance, dynamic gait and sleep quality, falls and headache frequency. In home patients, exercise increased functional reach testing and reduced Time Up and Go time. NMES improved post-void residual urine volume, void volume, maximum urinary flow rate, and Barthel Index scores after 8 weeks. Continuous cardiovascular reconditioning and moderate intensity improved cardiovascular fitness. There was no difference between groups in psychosocial functioning in either group. Rehabilitation of 4 h/day for 5 days/week improved functional independence. Intensive rehabilitation improves the early functional outcome of patients with TBI, but it must be continuous. Neurostimulation and exercise achieved significant improvements in strength, balance and gait, with different types of intervention in patients with head trauma. There is also an improvement in the cardiovascular response.