ABSTRACT
Background: To evaluate the correlation of Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS) with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Maximum Urinary Flow (Qmax). To investigate the effect of educational level on the ability to independently complete the VPSS versus the IPSS and time taken to do so.Methods: Bio data was taken from men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPE) who presented at the Urology clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital. They were administered the IPSS questionnaire and VPSS pictogram, which they completed with or without physician assistance and the time taken to do so was noted. They subsequently had uroflowmetry done on same visit and the data was recorded in a structured proforma. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS(R) version 20. Correlation test was done for VPSS, IPSS and Qmax while the paired t-test was used for the average time spent in completing both questionnaires. A p-value <0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Eighty-five men (aged 42 to 94 years) were enrolled in the study. The VPSS correlated significantly with the IPSS in terms of total score (r = +0.684, p<0.001) and QoL (r = +0.570, p<0.001), as well as with the Qmax (r = -0.222, p = 0.041). A greater proportion (21.2%) of men with limited education could complete the VPSS without physician assistance as compared to the IPSS (6.0%) and the average time taken to complete the VPSS (170.51 seconds) was significantly shorter than the time taken to complete the IPSS (406.42 seconds).Conclusions: The VPSS correlates significantly with the IPSS and Qmax. It can be completed without physician assistance by a greater proportion of men with limited education within a shorter time period.
ABSTRACT
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal malignant tumour. Owing to its retroperitoneal location, RCC remains asymptomatic and non-palpable until advanced disease develops. Most cases are identified during radiological examination for other reasons. The management of RCC depends substantially on the effective use of imaging. This is true in all the stages of the RCC, from initial diagnosis to follow-up. This article sets to review the current knowledge about multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scan and how it characterises the RCC. A search of PubMed database was made to locate the original and review articles in English that address the MDCT scan or RCC, without limit to publication date. Relevant articles and textbook chapters were reviewed, analysed and summarised. MDCT reveals the renal tumour, its extent, venous involvement, status of loco-regional lymph nodes as well as adrenal and liver extension. It is available and relatively affordable presently in some centres across the subregion. MDCT is an essential tool that has aided not only the early diagnosis of RCC, but also the staging and characterisation of the RCC