Development of the evaluation tool for the food safety and nutrition management education projects targeting the middle class elderly: Application of the balanced score card and the structure-process-outcome concept / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to develop an evaluation tool for operation of food safety and nutrition education projects for middle class elderly using the concept of the balanced score card. METHODS: After the draft of the evaluation tool for the elderly training projects was completed, it was revised into the questionnaire and the validity of the indicators was tested by the Delphi group. The validity of the indicators was rated using a 5-point scale. The Delphi group consisted of 26 experts in the education sector, 16 government officials, and 24 professionals of the related area in communities. The first round test was conducted from July 9 to July 17, 2012, and 45 persons responded. The second round test was conducted from July 18 to July 25 and 32 persons responded. RESULTS: The indicators, which were answered by more than 75 percent of the experts as 'agree' (4 points), 'strongly agree' (5 point) were included as the final indicators for the evaluation tool: 28 items out of 36 in outcome perspectives, 9 items out of 12 in process perspectives, and 17 out of 20 items in structure perspectives. The score was allocated as 50 points for outcome indicators, 20 points for process indicators, and 30 points for structure indicators. CONCLUSION: Completion of the evaluation tool is a prerequisite to determine whether the program is effectively implemented. The monitoring tool developed in the study could be applied for identification of the most optimal delivery path for the food safety and nutrition education program, for the spread of the food safety and nutrition education program for middle class elderly.

Factors Influencing the Acceptance of Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Prostate Biopsies

PURPOSE: This study aimed to improve prostate biopsy compliance by analyzing the factors that influence the acceptance of prostate biopsy by patients to whom transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy is recommended for suspected prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects of this study were 268 patients to whom TRUS-guided prostate biopsy was recommended from January to June 2011 and who completed a questionnaire. Patients who showed a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) increase to more than 4.0 ng/mL or abnormal findings on a digital rectal examination and TRUS were recommended to undergo prostate biopsy. The questionnaire consisted of 9 questions about the subjects' demographic characteristics and 15 questions that assessed their knowledge of prostate disease. Fisher exact probability test was conducted to assess the influence of the demographic characteristics and levels of knowledge of prostate disease on acceptance of prostate biopsy. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 66.2 years (range, 43-83 years). Of the cohort, 188 patients (70.7%) agreed to the prostate biopsy and 78 patients (29.3%) refused. In terms of demographic characteristics, the patients' acceptance of prostate biopsy was associated only with education level. Patients with relatively lower education levels had a higher acceptance rate for prostate biopsy (80.0% vs. 65.9%, p=0.018). Other demographic factors, as well as the degree of knowledge of prostate disease, had no significant effect on the acceptance rate. CONCLUSIONS: The patients' acceptance of prostate biopsy can be influenced by demographic characteristics, especially education level. Therefore, when prostate biopsy is recommended to patients, their demographic characteristics should be taken into consideration.

Feasibility of the Interferon-gamma Release Assay for the Diagnosis of Genitourinary Tuberculosis in an Endemic Area

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) as a supplementary diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients who were tested with the IGRA to diagnose GUTB were included. All patients had clinical or radiologic features suspicious for GUTB. Signs and symptoms included chronic dysuria with long-standing sterile pyuria, renal calcification with distorted renal calyces and contracted renal pelvis, and chronic epididymitis. Patients who had a history of tuberculosis in other organs were excluded. Tests including IGRA, urine acid-fast bacilli (AFB) stain and culture, urine tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction (UT-PCR), and radiological examinations were performed to confirm GUTB. The medical records of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The IGRA result was positive in 30 patients (52.6%). The results of the urine AFB stain and culture were positive in 5 patients (8.8%) and 7 patients (12.2%), respectively. The results of UT-PCR were positive in 9 patients (15.8%). The 7 patients who showed positive results in the urine AFB stain and culture also had positive results on the IGRA. A UT-PCR-negative patient was diagnosed with GUTB by positive results on both the IGRA and AFB stain and culture. CONCLUSIONS: The IGRA might feasibly be used as a supplementary or screening tool for the diagnosis of GUTB in addition to urine AFB stain and culture. Further studies for statistical evaluation of its sensitivity, specificity, and efficacy are needed.

Preoperative Clinical Factors for Diagnosis of Incidental Prostate Cancer in the Era of Tissue-Ablative Surgery for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Korean Multi-Center Review

PURPOSE: To identify potential predictive factors of incidental prostate cancer (IPca) in patients considering tissue-ablation treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the 11 centers, 1,613 men who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or open prostatectomy were included. Before surgery, prostate biopsy was performed in all patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) > or =4.0 ng/ml or with abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) findings. The patients with prostate cancer preoperatively or with PSA >20 ng/ml were excluded. As predictive factors of IPca, age, body mass index, PSA, DRE, and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) findings, including total prostate volume (TPV), transition zone volume (TZV), and the presence of hypoechoic lesions, were reviewed. PSA density (PSAD) and PSAD in the transition zone (PSAD-TZV) were calculated. RESULTS: IPca was diagnosed in 78 patients (4.8%). DRE findings, PSA, and TZV were independent predictive factors in the multivariate analysis. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of PSA, PSAD, and PSAD-TZV, the area under the curve (AUC) was the largest for PSAD-TZV (AUC, 0.685). CONCLUSIONS: IPca was detected in 4.8% of the population studied. In addition to DRE findings, the combination of TZV and PSA can be useful predictive factors of IPca in patients considering tissue-ablation treatment as well as TURP.

Current Status of Transurethral Prostatectomy: A Korean Multicenter Study

PURPOSE: We aimed to verify the current status of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 1,341 men who underwent TURP in 9 Korean medical centers between 2004 and 2008 were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to time periods: 2004-2005 (group 1) and 2006-2008 (group 2). To verify differences in the two patient groups, age, prostate volume, indications for TURP, preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and resected tissue weight were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 71.2 years and the mean IPSS was 22.7. The patients' characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. The annual cases of TURP increased over the study period. The proportion of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) as an indication for TURP increased up to 58.3% in group 2 compared with 51.6% in group 1 (p=0.019). However, the proportion of patients who presented with acute urinary retention decreased from 35.5% to 30.3% with marginal statistical significance (p=0.051). Other indications such as hematuria, bladder stone, recurrent urinary tract infection, and hydronephrosis were not significantly different between the groups. The mean resected weights of the prostate were similar (17.5 g in group 1 and 18.3 g in group 2, respectively; p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TURP has been steadily performed in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and it is expected to remain constant. LUTS was the most common indication for TURP in recent years.

Clinical Significance of a Large Difference (> or = 2 points) between Biopsy and Post-prostatectomy Pathological Gleason Scores in Patients with Prostate Cancer

We investigated the clinical significance of large difference (> or = 2 points) between biopsy-derived (bGS) and post-prostatectomy Gleason scores (pGS). At 14 medical centers in Korea, 1,582 men who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer were included. According to the difference between bGS and pGS, the patients were divided into three groups: A (decreased in pGS > or = 2, n = 30), B (changed in pGS or = 2, n = 55). We evaluated various clinicopathological factors of prostate cancer and hazards for biochemical failure. Group A showed significantly higher mean maximal percentage of cancer in the positive cores (max%) and pathological T stage than control. In group C, the number of biopsy core was significantly smaller, however, tumor volume and max% were significantly higher and more positive biopsy cores were presented than control. Worse pathological stage and more margin-positive were observed in group A and C than in control. Hazard ratio for biochemical failure was also higher in group A and C (P = 0.001). However, the groups were not independent factors in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, large difference between bGS and pGS shows poor prognosis even in the decreased group. However it is not an independent prognostic factor for biochemical failure.

Efficacy of Dendritic Cells Matured Early with OK-432 (Picibanil(R)), Prostaglandin E2, and Interferon-alpha as a Vaccine for a Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer Cell Line

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells. OK432 (Picibanil(R)) was introduced as a potent stimulator of DC maturation in combination with prostaglandin-E2 and interferon-alpha. We compared the efficacy of a DC-prostate cancer vaccine using early-mature DCs stimulated with OK432, PGE2 and INF-alpha (OPA) with that of vaccines using other methods. On days 3 or 7 of DC culture, TNF-alpha (T), TNF-alpha and LPS (TL) or OPA were employed as maturation stimulators. DU145 cells subjected to heat stress were hybridized with mature DCs using polyethyleneglycol. T cells were sensitized by the hybrids, and their proliferative and cytokine secretion activities and cytotoxicity were measured. The yields of early-mature DCs were higher, compared to yields at the conventional maturation time (P<0.05). In the early maturation setting, the mean fusion ratios, calculated from the fraction of dual-positive cells, were 13.3%, 18.6%, and 39.9%, respectively (P=0.051) in the T only, TL, and OPA-treated groups. The function of cytotoxic T cells, which were sensitized with the hybrids containing DCs matured early with OPA, was superior to that using other methods. The antitumor effects of DC-DU145 hybrids generated with DCs subjected to early maturation with the OPA may be superior to that of the hybrids using conventional maturation methods.

Stent Position Is More Important than alpha-Blockers or Anticholinergics for Stent-Related Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms after Ureteroscopic Ureterolithotomy: A Prospective Randomized Study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical factors that impact ureteral stent-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after ureteroscopic ureterolithotomy, including the stent position and medication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three patients who underwent ureteroscopic ureterolithotomy with indwelling a stent were distributed into three groups. On demand analgesics were given to the group 1 (n=18). Daily tamsulosin 0.2 mg was added for group 2 (n=15) and daily tamsulosin 0.2 mg and tolterodine 4 mg was added for group 3 (n=20). The patients were also subclassified into appropriate or inappropriate group according to stent position. All the patients completed a visual analogue scale (VAS) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) on the 1st and 7th postoperative days. The VAS and IPSS were analyzed according to the medication groups and the stent position. RESULTS: In the appropriate stent potion group, only the storage symptom scores of groups 2 and 3 on the 1st postoperative day were significantly lower than those of the group 1 (p=0.001). This medication effect on LUTS was not observed in the inappropriate stent position group. In this group, total IPSS (p=0.015) and storage symptom scores (p=0.002) were higher than in the appropriate stent position group on the 7th postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Correct placement of the stent was more important than medication for lessening stent-related storage symptoms.

The Preoperative Factors Predicting a Positive Frozen Section during Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the preoperative factors that predict a positive frozen section during radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, Gleason score, the number or percent (%) of cancer-positive cores from prostate biopsy, and the clinical stage of 364 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1993 and 2007. We compared these parameters between patients who had positive frozen sections in specimens from the urethra or bladder neck with those who had negative frozen sections. RESULTS: The PSA and Gleason score were significantly higher and prostate volume was significantly smaller in patients with positive frozen sections in the urethra than in patients with negative frozen sections. The results were the same for the bladder neck. In multivariate analysis, PSA was the only independent predictor for positive frozen sections at the bladder neck, and the cutoff value was 8.71 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative PSA may be a potent factor for predicting positive frozen sections during radical prostatectomy, especially in the bladder neck. Therefore, it may be beneficial to prepare frozen sections of the bladder neck during the operation to reduce the positive resection margin when PSA is higher than 8.7 ng/ml.

The Oncologic and Functional Results of the Ileal W-neobladder with a Serous-lined Extramural Tunnel / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: We wanted to analyze the oncologic and functional outcomes of radical cystectomy and creation of an orthotopic ileal neobladder with a serous-lined extramural tunnel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 110 patients and 101 patients were male(mean age: 58.7 years, age range: 35-78 years). All these patients underwent radical cystectomy and creation of a ileal W-shaped neobladder with a serous-lined extramural tunnel, and all the procedures were done by one surgeon. The median period of follow-up was 28.9(range: 6-95) months. The Assessing the patients' clinical history, physical examinations, complete laboratory tests, CT scans and bone scans were performed postoperatively for the evaluation of recurrence and complications. The voiding patterns of 77 patients of the 110 patients were surveyed. RESULTS: Five-year-overall survival was 56% and the median survival period was 66.1 months. The tumor recurrence rate was 39.1%(43 patients) and 21(19.1%) patients died due to progression of cancer. The daytime and nighttime urinary continence rates at postoperative 1 year were 87% and 79%, respectively. Sixty three(81%) patients among the 77 patients had no voiding problems after the procedures. Nine patients still had severe incontinence and 5 patients still suffered from voiding difficulty. Renal functional deterioration developed in 3 patients(2.8%); however, no patients were on dialysis. Acute pyelonephritis was observed in 12 patients and recurrent pyelonephritis occurred in 6 patients. Ureter-ileal anastomosis site stricture was occurred in 5 renal units. No reflux from the ileal bladder into the ureter was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Radical cystectomy and an orthotopic ileal neobladder using a serous-lined extramural tunnel for patients with invasive bladder cancer were effective and durable procedures in terms of the oncologic and functional outcomes.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine(CAM) in Urology / 대한비뇨기과학회지

An increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) is apparent both in Asian and in Western countries for the management of numerous diseases to improve symptoms and to improve general health and well being. Many patients with benign prostatitc hyperplasia(BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS), erectile dysfunction(ED), urinary tract infection(UTI) are using CAM. Complementary and alternative medicines for urologic malignancies such as renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer are also one of the important issues in the management of patients. Dietary supplements and nutraceuticals are commonly used modality for the patients with BPH/LUTS or ED. Vegetables and cruciferous fruits showed significant preventive effect on urologic malignancies in many studies. Phytotherapy for BPH including beta-sitosterols, saw palmetto, pygeum, and nettles etc, is under vigorous research for their therapeutic effect. No solid evidence showing better effective treatment modality for ED than placebo was found yet in CAM area. Recently, a potent NO donor, L-arginine is under research with promising results. Cranberry juice has been used for the patients with recurrent UTI but safety was a limit for its use. Various antioxidants have been studied for prevention of urological malignancies. Lycopene, isoflavone, vitamin A, C, and E, and polyphenols showed the possibility of decreasing cancer incidence in many studies but their effect is still controversial. Vitamin D is known to be associated with cancer progression and the effect of combination treatment with other chemotherapeutic agents for advanced cancer is under trial. CAM is used by a number of patients with urological diseases and urologists need to have both accurate knowledge and apprehension of CAM. The possible effects and side effects should be defined and offered to the urologic patients by urologists.

Comparison of the Efficacy, Safety and Patient Preference of the Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors for the Patients with Erectile Dysfunction / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of three phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors in the treatment of mele erectile dysfunction according to patient preference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2004 and August 2005, 113 male erectile dysfunctional patients were enrolled to this randomized, prospective, comparative, open-label, triple-crossover study of three PDE5 inhibitors. Patients were assigned to one of six medication schedules, and were prescribed a full dose of the drugs for 8 weeks, with a week of washout period prior to the next drug cycle. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores and side effects related with each medication were obtained at the end of study. 48 patients finished all the medications, and completed the study with a global assessment questionnaire on their drug preference and reasons for that preference. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 54.6 (33-73) years. The mean pre-treatment IIEF and EF domain scores (+/-S.D.) were 28.2+/-14.7 and 10.6+/-6.6, respectively. The scores were significantly improved, to 47.9+/-14.6 and 19.9+/-6.6 with sildenafil, to 49.7+/-12.3 and 21.3+/-5.8 with vardenafil, and to 47.9+/-14.9 and 19.8+/-7.2 with tadalafil (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the scores or frequencies of side effects between the drugs. The preference percentages were 29.2, 29.2 and 35.4% for sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil, respectively. Patient preference was mainly due to improvement in erectile function (70.9%), such as rigid erection, prolonged erection and fast erection, and not to the infrequent rate of side effects (20.8%). CONCLISIONS: There were no significant differences of the efficacy and safety among the three PDE5 inhibitors. The preference for a drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction was mainly related to the efficacy on the improvement of erectile function rather than the less frequent side effects.

The Individualized Surgical Approach of Penoscrotal Transposition according to the Anatomical Position of the Penis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Some patients still complain of a downward urine stream and a poor cosmetic result after the standard surgery, scrotoplasty because many patients with hypospadias basically have a low-set penis. We applied and evaluated a new concept for the surgery to improve the surgical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 22 patients underwent surgery for PST from January 1997 to June 2004. We performed transposition of penis in 7 patients, scrotoplasty in 13 and partial wedge resection of the scrotum in 2 who had the mild form of PST. Transposition of the penis is a surgical technique in which the skin of the penoscrotal junction is incised circumferentially and phallus is delivered into the buttonhole that is created in the normal anatomical position for the penis. We evaluated the cosmetic results using a satisfaction scoring system (1 to 5 scores) that was completed by the parents and the functional results by checking the angle of the urine stream in the standing position. RESULTS: There was no major complication for the 7 patients who underwent transposition of the penis. The mean satisfaction score was 4.6+/-0.8 and the angle of the urine stream was above 45 degrees in all patients. In the case of scrotoplasty, the mean satisfaction score was 3.6+/-0.9: half of them showed an angle of urine stream under 45 degrees and they complained of trouble when voiding. CONCLUSIONS: As the anatomical location of the penis, scrotoplasty is good for the normally positioned penis with PST, transposition of the penis for the low-set penis, and partial resection of the scrotal skin for the mild form. This individualized approach could improve the cosmetic and functional results for patients with PST.