Korean Translation and Linguistic Validation of Urgency and Overactive Bladder Questionnaires / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

Purpose@#Given the importance of evaluating the severity of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and outcomes after treatment, several questionnaires have been developed to evaluate OAB patients. However, only limited questionnaires are available in Korea for use with Korean patients. Therefore, this study aimed to develop Korean versions of OAB questionnaires through a rigorous linguistic validation process. @*Methods@#The Indevus Urgency Severity Scale, Urgency Perception Scale, Urgency Severity Scale, and Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale underwent translation and linguistic validation. The linguistic validation procedure consisted of permission for translation, forward translations, reconciliation, back-translation, cognitive debriefing, and proofreading. Two independent bilingual translators translated the original version of each questionnaire, and a panel then discussed and reconciled the 2 initial translations. Next, a third independent bilingual translator performed a backward translation of the reconciled version into English. Five Korean patients diagnosed with OAB were interviewed for cognitive debriefing. @*Results@#Each item of the questionnaires was translated into 2 Korean versions in the forward translation process. Terms such as ‘urgency’ and ‘wetting’ were translated into ordinary language by the translators and adjusted by the panel members to more conceptually equivalent terms in a medical context. In the back-translation process, the panel made a few changes regarding details based on a comparison of the back-translated and original versions. During the cognitive debriefing process, 5 patients provided a few pieces of feedback on the naturalness of the wording of the questionnaires, but generally agreed on the translated terms. @*Conclusions@#In this study, the panel produced a successful linguistic validation of Korean versions of multiple OAB questionnaires, which can be utilized to evaluate the severity and treatment outcomes of OAB.

Translation and Linguistic Validation of the Korean Version of the Treatment Satisfaction Visual Analogue Scale and the Overactive Bladder Satisfaction With Treatment Questionnaire / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: This study reports the development of the Korean Version of the Treatment Satisfaction Visual Analogue Scale (TS-VAS) and the Overactive Bladder Satisfaction with Treatment Questionnaire (OAB-SAT-q) based on the original versions, with subsequent linguistic validation by Korean patients with overactive bladder receiving active treatment from a physician. METHODS: Translation and linguistic validation were performed in 2016. The validation process included permission for translation, forward translation, reconciliation, backward translation, cognitive debriefing, and proofreading. The original versions of the TS-VAS and OAB-SAT-q were independently translated into Korean by 2 bilingual translators and were then reconciled into a single version. The third bilingual translator performed a backward translation of the reconciled version into English. A trained interviewer and 5 Korean-speaking patients with OAB carried out the cognitive debriefing. RESULTS: During the forward translation process, the terms used in the 2 questionnaires were adjusted to use more appropriate expressions in the Korean language than were used in the original versions. During the backward translation process, no changes were made in terms of semantic equivalence. In the cognitive debriefing session, 5 patients were asked to fill in the answers within 8 minutes; most of them reported that the translated questions were clear and easy to understand. CONCLUSIONS: The present study presents successful linguistic validation of the Korean version of the TS-VAS and OAB-SAT-q, which could be useful tools for evaluating treatment satisfaction in patients.

The Outcome of Multiple Slit on Plaque with Plication Technique for the Treatment of Peyronie's Disease

PURPOSE: To evaluate the postoperative outcome of the multiple slit on plaque plication technique for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 22 patients who underwent plaque incision with penile plication for the surgical treatment of Peyronie's disease, who had failed medical treatment between 2009 and 2014. Patients were grouped by preoperative degree of penile curvature into Group I: mild (n=5, 22.7%), Group II: moderate (n=11, 50.0%), and Group III: severe (n=6, 27.3%). After a thorough review of the medical records, we evaluated (a) the correction of the curvature; (b) sexual function; and (c) any penile shortening or other complications. RESULTS: The mean postoperative follow-up period was 39 months. Complete correction of the curvature was attained in 21 patients (95.5%). As an inevitable complication, minimal penile shortening (21). The most frequent complication was subcutaneous penile edema in three patients (13.6%), which was resolved within about 3 months following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: As a modified technique, multiple slit on plaque with plication is a simple, minimally-invasive and effective technique for correcting penile curvature regardless of curvature severity. The degree of penile curvature does not significantly predict the amount of penile length loss.

The Efficacy of Medical Treatment of Peyronie's Disease: Potassium Para-Aminobenzoate Monotherapy vs. Combination Therapy with Tamoxifen, L-Carnitine, and Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of medical treatment of Peyronie's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 109 patients with Peyronie's disease who had been treated from January 2011 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed in this study. Forty-four patients (Group 1) were treated with 12 mg of potassium para-aminobenzoate daily. Sixty-five patients (Group 2) were treated with combination therapy: tamoxifen (20 mg) and acetyl-L-carnitine (300 mg) twice daily in addition to a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. Ability to perform sexual intercourse, pain during erection, size of plaque, and penile curvature angle were assessed. RESULTS: In Group 1, 30 of 44 patients (68.2%) discontinued treatment within 12 weeks, while 5 patients (7.7%) in Group 2 discontinued treatment. Pain during erection and plaque size were improved in both groups but showed no statistical difference due to the high dropout rate in Group 1. In both groups, penile curvature was improved, but demonstrated no statistical difference between the treatment groups. However, combination therapy demonstrated a better response rate in patients whose penile curvature angle was less than 30° (44.4% vs. 79.1%, p=0.048). The rate of successful sexual intercourse was significantly higher in Group 2 (42.8% vs. 78.3%, p=0.034). The number of patients who underwent surgical correction despite medical treatment was significantly higher in Group 1 (35.7% vs. 13.3%, p=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Early medical combination therapy in Peyronie's disease may present better results in patients whose curvature angle is less than 30°.

Female Urethral Condyloma Causing Bladder Outlet Obstruction / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

In women, urethral condyloma rarely leads to a bladder outlet obstruction. A 39-year-old woman who presented with frequency, urgency, and residual urine sensation was found to have a condyloma in her urethral meatus. Urodynamic study indicated bladder outlet obstruction. After condyloma excision, she returned to normal voiding, and the free maximum flow rate improved. In women, excision of urethral condylomas that cause obstruction can be an effective treatment with early recovery of voiding function.

The Prescribing and Dispensing of Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors in South Korea: A Questionnaire Survey of Patient Discomfort

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the discomfort reported by patients taking phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2011 to March 2012, we surveyed patients who were prescribed PDE5Is for erectile dysfunction (ED). The questionnaire elicited information concerning: patient characteristics, medication counseling received and inconveniences experienced in hospitals and at pharmacies, effects of PDE5Is, and the separation of the prescribing and the dispensing of PDE5Is. RESULTS: A total of 237 patients completed the questionnaire (mean age: 58.81+/-9.14 years). Among the 62 patients (26.0%) who reported having encountered some inconveniences in hospitals, the most frequently expressed concerns 'assistant staff,' including nurses (38.7%), 'testing procedures' (27.4%), and 'the issuing of prescriptions' (22.6%). Of the 137 patients (57.8%) who noted inconveniences in obtaining medications from pharmacies, 60.6% cited 'self-consciousness' as the most common reason, followed by 'insufficient medication counseling' (22.6%), and 'absence of consultation' (11.6%). In contrast, 82% of the patients were satisfied with the medication counseling that they had received in hospitals, covering drug usage, side effects, and precautions regarding PDE5Is; this proportion was only 30% for pharmacies. Further, most patients (89%) indicated that they preferred to obtain their prescriptions and medications for ED from the hospital at the same time. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of ED is a highly private matter. According to the survey, ED patients more often felt that obtaining medication from pharmacies was inconvenient. The sociocultural aspects of ED necessitate that exceptions to separating the prescribing and the dispensing of medication be considered.

The Prescribing and Dispensing of Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors in South Korea: A Questionnaire Survey of Patient Discomfort

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the discomfort reported by patients taking phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2011 to March 2012, we surveyed patients who were prescribed PDE5Is for erectile dysfunction (ED). The questionnaire elicited information concerning: patient characteristics, medication counseling received and inconveniences experienced in hospitals and at pharmacies, effects of PDE5Is, and the separation of the prescribing and the dispensing of PDE5Is. RESULTS: A total of 237 patients completed the questionnaire (mean age: 58.81+/-9.14 years). Among the 62 patients (26.0%) who reported having encountered some inconveniences in hospitals, the most frequently expressed concerns 'assistant staff,' including nurses (38.7%), 'testing procedures' (27.4%), and 'the issuing of prescriptions' (22.6%). Of the 137 patients (57.8%) who noted inconveniences in obtaining medications from pharmacies, 60.6% cited 'self-consciousness' as the most common reason, followed by 'insufficient medication counseling' (22.6%), and 'absence of consultation' (11.6%). In contrast, 82% of the patients were satisfied with the medication counseling that they had received in hospitals, covering drug usage, side effects, and precautions regarding PDE5Is; this proportion was only 30% for pharmacies. Further, most patients (89%) indicated that they preferred to obtain their prescriptions and medications for ED from the hospital at the same time. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of ED is a highly private matter. According to the survey, ED patients more often felt that obtaining medication from pharmacies was inconvenient. The sociocultural aspects of ED necessitate that exceptions to separating the prescribing and the dispensing of medication be considered.

Stuttering Priapism in a Patient with Neurosyphilis

We recently encountered a case of stuttering priapism in a 41-year-old patient with neurosyphilis. Priapism very rarely has a neurogenic cause, and to our knowledge, priapism caused by neurosyphilis has not been reported previously in the literature. Our aim was to report this case and systematically review the related literature.

Prostate-Specific Antigen Mass and Free Prostate-Specific Antigen Mass for Predicting the Prostate Volume of Korean Men With Biopsy-Proven Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

PURPOSE: It has been reported that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) correlates with prostate volume. Recently, some studies have reported that PSA mass (PSA adjusted for plasma volume) is more accurate than PSA at predicting prostate volume. In this study, we analyzed the accuracy of PSA and the related parameters of PSA mass, free PSA (fPSA), and fPSA mass in predicting prostate volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 658 patients who underwent prostate biopsy from 2006 to 2012 and had a confirmed negative biopsy result. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, PSA, fPSA, and prostate volume were investigated. PSA mass and fPSA mass were calculated by use of established formulas. The association between PSA-related parameters and IPSS and prostate volume was assessed by using Pearson correlation coefficient and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between PSA and PSA mass, fPSA, or fPSA mass in predicting prostate volume except in obese patients (p-value of PSA-PSA mass for 40 cm3, 0.54; p-value of fPSA-fPSA mass for 40 cm3, 0.34). fPSA performed significantly better than PSA at predicting prostate volume (p-value for 40 cm3, <0.001). IPSS and the aforementioned PSA-related parameters were not significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: PSA mass was not a better predictive value than PSA for estimating the prostate volume in Korean men except in obese men. This finding was also applicable to the relationship of fPSA and fPSA mass, which appeared to be more accurate predictors of prostate volume than either PSA or PSA mass.

Survey on the Perception of Urogenital Complications in Diabetic Patients

PURPOSE: Retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy are well-known complications of diabetes; they are often expected to occur and, therefore, are usually tested for. However, urogenital complications, such as sexual and voiding dysfunctions, are less well known, and consequently, many patients are not treated appropriately despite their symptoms. Thus, we surveyed diabetic patients with regard to their perception of urogenital complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a survey for patients in our hospital who were being treated for diabetes mellitus (DM). The questionnaire included items on age, sex, treatment duration, treatment options for and the level of perception of urogenital symptoms, the presence of urogenital symptoms, and whether treatment was intended or had been initiated. RESULTS: In total, 275 patients participated in the survey. The perception questions on DM-associated urogenital complications showed that 89 patients (32.4%) had no knowledge, 84 patients (30.5%) had some knowledge, and 102 patients (37.1%) had detailed knowledge about these complications. A total of 124 patients (45.1%) reported urogenital symptoms: 93 patients (75.0%) reported voiding dysfunction and 61 patients (49.2%) reported sexual dysfunction. Common symptoms of voiding dysfunction were urinary frequency, nocturia, sense of residual urine, weak stream, and urinary incontinence. Common symptoms of sexual dysfunction were reduced libido, and erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The survey showed that the subjective prevalence rate of urogenital symptoms in diabetic patients was 45.1%. However, only a small percentage (37.1%) of the patients cognized that these symptoms were associated with DM. Therefore, it is necessary to properly inform and educate diabetic patients on possible urogenital complications that may occur.

Relationship between Proximal Urethrovaginal Space Thickness and Detrusor Overactivity in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE: Detrusor overactivity (DO) cannot be predicted by clinical symptoms. Although it is possible that DO could be related to anatomical structures, scanty data exist about the relations between DO and anatomical structures. The aim of this study was to investigate anatomical differences in DO by measuring the thickness of the urethrovaginal space (UVS) and the urethral length (UL) in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective data were collected from 72 women with SUI who underwent the midurethral sling operation. The subjects were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of DO by preoperative urodynamic study (UDS). UVS thickness was measured by trans-vaginal ultrasound. UL was measured by using a urethral catheter and a ruler. UVS thickness, UL, Q-tip, and urodynamic parameters, such as maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and Valsalva leak point pressure, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of 72 women, 23 patients had DO (31.9%). The proximal UVS was significantly thinner (p<0.001) and the MUCP was significantly lower (p=0.008) in women with DO. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve based DO prediction, the best cutoff value for UVS thickness was 0.84 cm (area under the ROC curve 0.763). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the proximal UVS was significantly thinner and the MUCP was significantly lower in patients with DO. A proximal UVS thickness of less than 0.84 cm was shown to be a predictive parameter for the development of DO on preoperative UDS. A large-scale prospective study is needed to validate these results.

The Effect of the Partial Obstruction Site of the Renal Vein on Testis and Kidney in Rats: Is the Traditional Animal Model Suitable for Varicocele Research?

PURPOSE: We investigated the influence of the location of the partial renal vein obstruction on the left kidney, the bilateral testes, and cauda epididymal sperm quality and determined whether this animal model is suitable for varicocele study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to three groups: group 1 (experimental varicocele by partial ligation medial to the internal spermatic vein for 8 weeks, n=8), group 2 (partial ligation lateral to the internal spermatic vein for 8 weeks, n=10), and group 3 (sham operation for 8 weeks, n=7). Rats in groups 1, 2, and 3 underwent a left nephrectomy and bilateral orchiectomy at 8 weeks after the operation. Histological changes and Johnsen score in both testes were analyzed. Fibrotic changes in the left kidney were assessed by quantitative image analysis. Numbers of sperm and proportions of motile sperm in the cauda epididymides were determined. RESULTS: Significant histological abnormalities and Johnsen score changes were observed in the testes in group 1. Renal fibrosis did not differ significantly among the groups. The proportions of motile sperm were significantly lower bilaterally in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. However, the mean bilateral epididymal sperm count in group 1 was not significantly lower than in groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that experimental varicocele in the rat, induced by partial ligation medial to the internal spermatic vein, influences epididymal sperm quality without harmful effects on the left kidney. The present study certifies that this traditional animal model is suitable for varicocele research.

Clinical Implications of Residual Urine in Korean Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Patients: A Prognostic Factor for BPH-Related Clinical Events / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: Although post-void residual urine (PVR) is frequently utilized clinically in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), mainly because of its procedural simplicity, its role as a clinical prognostic factor, predictive of treatment goals, is still under much dispute. We investigated the predictive value of PVR for BPH-related clinical events including surgery, acute urinary retention (AUR), and admission following urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS: From January to June of 2006, patients over 50 years of age who were diagnosed with BPH for the first time at the outpatient clinic and were then treated for at least 3 years with medications were enrolled in this study. The variables of patients who underwent surgical intervention for BPH, had occurrences of AUR, or required admission due to UTI (Group 1, n=43) were compared with those of patients who were maintained with medications only (Group 2, n=266). RESULTS: Group 1 had a significantly higher PVR, more severe symptoms, and a larger prostate at the time of the initial diagnosis in both the univariate and the multivariate analysis. In the 39 patients who underwent BPH-related surgery, although there was a significant change in Qmax at the time of surgery (mean, 13.1 months), PVR and the symptom score remained unchanged compared with the initial evaluation. In the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve of Group 1 was in the order of prostate volume (0.834), PVR (0.712), and symptom score (0.621). When redivided by arbitrarily selected PVR cutoffs of 50 mL, 100 mL, and 150 mL, the relative risk of clinical BPH progression was measured as 3.93, 2.61, and 2.11. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that, in the symptomatic Korean population, increased PVR at baseline is a significant indicator of BPH-related clinical events along with increased symptom score or prostate volume.

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Distal Ureterectomy and Ureteral Reimplantation

We report here on our technique and outcomes of the first case of robot-assisted laparoscopic distal ureterectomy with a bladder cuff excision and ureteroneocystostomy. A 74-year-old male patient who had a distal ureter tumor underwent robot-assisted transperitoneal distal ureterectomy. After distal ureterectomy with bladder cuff excision was performed, direct ureteroneocystostomy was performed. The whole procedure was successfully performed by using the robot without conversion to open surgery. The total operative time was 207 minutes, and the estimated blood loss was 30 ml. The final pathological examination showed stage T2 invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the distal ureter. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful and the bladder cuff was free of tumor. Robot-assisted laparoscopic distal ureterectomy with ureteroneocystostomy is safe and feasible and offers patients the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.