Predicting Factors for Death from Other Causes in Patients with Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE: To identify the predictors of death from other causes in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 1,101 patients with pathologically confirmed T1 or T2 RCC with a follow-up duration of over 6 months. Survival according to the cause of death was evaluated by using the Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test. Prognostic factors for death from other causes were assessed by multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. Once the prognostic factors were identified, a risk-group variable was created by counting the number of unfavorable features present for each patient. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 62 months, and RCC-related death occurred in 50 patients (4.5%), whereas death from other causes occurred in 47 (4.3%). Patients who died from other causes had a higher American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) score (26.1% vs. 10.2%; p=0.044), older age (63.4 years vs. 55.0 years; p<0.001), smaller mass size (5.1 cm vs. 7.9 cm; p<0.001), and lower nuclear grade (p=0.003). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, older age, higher ASA score, and lower body mass index were independent factors predicting death from other causes in patients with localized RCC. On the basis of the number of risk factors for death from other causes, the 5-year other-cause-specific survival was 98.3% (0 risk factors), 84.7% (1 risk factor), and 67.6% (2 or 3 risk factors), respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Older age, higher ASA score, and lower body mass index were independent predictors of death from other causes in patients with localized RCC.

Translation and Linguistic Validation of the Korean Version of the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency Patient Symptom Scale / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to achieve a linguistic adaptation of the original version of the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency (PUF) Patient Symptom Scale into Korean. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 2008 and December 2008, a linguistic adaptation was carried out by 2 native Korean speakers who were also fluent in English. First, the original English version of the PUF was translated into Korean. A panel, which included the 2 translators, reviewed the translations to form a single reconciled forward translation of the Korean version. Then, another bilingual translator, having never seen the original version, back-translated the first draft of the Korean version of the PUF into English, and this back-translation was subsequently assessed for equivalence to the original. The panel discussed all discrepancies and produced a second version. After revising the 2nd version, 10 participants [5 interstitial cystitis (IC) patients and 5 persons from the general population], stratified variously by age, sex, and educational level, answered the PUF and were systematically debriefed afterwards. A summary of the changes from the patient interviews were incorporated into the third version. After the spelling, grammar, layout, and formatting were checked, the third version was verified as the final Korean version of the PUF, without modifications. RESULTS: The multi-step process of forward translation, reconciliation, back-translation, cognitive debriefing, and proofreading of the Korean version of the PUF was completed. CONCLUSIONS: The Korean version of the PUF scale may be helpful for screening IC patients in the Korean population and can now be used in Korea.