Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the urologist's clinical practice in Brazil: a management guideline proposal for low- and middle-income countries during the crisis period

This letter to the Editor aims to provide suggestions and recommendations for the management of urological conditions in times of COVID-19 crisis in Brazil and other low- and middle-income countries. It is important to highlight that one of the main characteristics of this pandemic is the oversaturation of the health system capacity, mostly due to a high demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), Hospital/ICU beds, as well as ventilators. In places with limited resources and where the health care systems are already saturated, such consideration is even more worrisome. Therefore, most worldwide authorities are recommending to avoid, as much as possible, patient's elective visits to hospitals, as well as a judicious use of the operating room in order to mitigate the strain put on the health system. While efforts should be directed to the care of COVID-19 patients, other conditions (especially urgencies and oncological cases) must continue to be assisted. Thus, through a panel of experts, we have prepared a practical guide for urologists based on the recommendations from the main Urologic Associations, as well as data from the literature to support the suggested management. We will try to follow the standard guideline recommendations from the American Urological Association (AUA) and European Association of Urology (EAU), with the aim of pursuing the best outcomes possible. However, some recommendations were based on the consensus of the panel, taking into consideration the reality of developing countries and the unprecedented situation caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Most importantly, all recommendations on this manuscript are based on the expectancy of a maximum 3-month duration of the crisis. If this period shall extended, these recommendations will be revised and updated. The format of the text will be given through questions and answers.(AU)

Exposición radiológica en urología: conocimientos y medidas preventivas generales en Chile / Radiation exposure in urology: knowledge and general preventive measures in Chile

Existe una creciente exposición a la radiación ionizante en la práctica médica habitual tanto para el paciente como para el médico tratante, debido a un incremento en exámenes imagenológicos solicitados como al uso de rayos X como soporte en procedimientos y cirugías. Parte importante de la práctica médica en urología involucra exposición a radiación. Por este motivo, decidimos evaluar el nivel de conocimientos y medidas preventivas que realizan los urólogos y residentes de urología en Chile al exponerse a la radiación. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se aplicó una encuesta a residentes de urología y urólogos que ejercen dicha especialidad en Chile. Esta encuesta fue aplicada de manera voluntaria y anónima vía e-mail y evaluó los conocimientos generales y medidas preventivas frente a la exposición radiológica. Se analizan resultados según año de residencia y nivel de formación académica. RESULTADOS: Existe un bajo nivel de conocimientos y de prácticas preventivas de tanto los residentes como especialistas encuestados en el tema de protección radiológica. No se observaron diferencias significativas entre los distintos niveles de formación. CONCLUSIÓN: Se detectó un bajo nivel de conocimiento y un bajo empleo de medidas preventivas. Se postula la necesidad de incorporar un curso obligatorio de exposición radiológica durante la residencia de urología.

There has been an increase in the exposure to ionizing radiation in current medical practice in the past few decades. This raise is the result of an increase in the amount of radiological images solicited and use of X-rays in procedures and surgeries. Clinical practice in urology involves high levels of exposure. We decided to evaluate knowledge and preventive measures when urology specialists and residents are exposed to radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey previously utilized in international centers for similar purposes was applied to urology residents and specialists that practice medicine in Chile. This survey was applied electronically via email and evaluated general knowledge and preventive measures when exposed to ionizing radiation. Results are analyzed between years of residency and academic formation. RESULTS: A low level of knowledge and preventive measures were detected among both urology residents and specialists. No significant differences were observed when analyzing results according to year of residency. CONCLUSION: Given the low level of knowledge and preventive measures utilized when exposed to radiation, we propose to include an obligatory course in radiologic exposure during urology residency.

Estandarización y control de calidad en los estudios urodinámicos / Standardization and quality control in urodynamic studies

The main purpose of urodynamic studies is to reproduce the patient's symptoms and correlate them with the findings in the examination, so that we can answer the specific question that motivated it. Its success depends on a careful tuning of equipment and strict quality control over each of the procedures. In this article we refer to standards and best practices for measurement and quality control of uroflowmetry, filling cystometry and voiding cystometry (pressure-flow study), following the nomenclature and suggestions of the International Continence Society (ICS). This organization recommends a careful and continuous observation of the signals as they are obtained and an ongoing assessment of the credibility of them, so as to avoid artifacts which must be corrected immediately, as it is always difficult and often impossible to correct them retrospectively. Only in this way can we achieve our goal (AU)

Accuracy of simple urine tests for diagnosis of urinary tract infections in low-risk pregnant women / La exactitud del examen de orina simple para diagnosticar infecciones del tracto urinario en gestantes de bajo riesgo / Acurácia do exame de urina simples para diagnóstico de infecções do trato urinário em gestantes de baixo risco

Anatomic and physiological alterations during pregnancy predispose pregnant women to urinary tract infections (UTI). This study aimed to identify the accuracy of the simple urine test for UTI diagnosis in low-risk pregnant women. Diagnostic test performance was conducted in Botucatu, SP, involving 230 pregnant women, between 2006 and 2008. Results showed 10 percent UTI prevalence. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the simple urine test were 95.6 percent, 63.3 percent and 66.5 percent, respectively, in relation to UTI diagnoses. The analysis of positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values showed that, when a regular simple urine test was performed, the chance of UTI occurrence was small (NPV 99.2 percent). In view of an altered result for such a test, the possibility of UTI existence was small (PPV 22.4 percent). It was concluded that the accuracy of the simple urine test as a diagnostic means for UTI was low, and that performing a urine culture is essential for appropriate diagnosis.

Las alteraciones anatómicas y fisiológicas de la gravidez predisponen a las gestantes a infecciones del tracto urinario (ITU). El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la exactitud del examen de orina simple para diagnosticar ITU en gestantes de bajo riesgo. Se hizo uso del estudio de desempeño de prueba de diagnóstico realizado en Botucatu, San Pablo, con 230 gestantes, entre 2006 y 2008. Los resultados muestran que la prevalencia de ITU fue de 10 por ciento. La sensibilidad fue 95,6 por ciento, la especificidad 63,3 por ciento y la exactitud 66,5 por ciento del examen de orina simple, en relación al diagnóstico de ITU. El análisis de los valores de predicción positivo y negativo (VPP y VPN) mostró que, en la vigencia de examen de orina simple normal, la probabilidad de haber ITU fue pequeña (VPN 99,2 por ciento). Frente al resultado alterado de ese examen, la probabilidad de haber ITU fue baja (VPP 22,4 por ciento). Se concluye que la exactitud del examen de orina simple como medio de diagnóstico de ITU fue baja, siendo indispensable la realización de urocultura para el diagnóstico.

Alterações anatômicas e fisiológicas da gravidez predispõem gestantes a infecções do trato urinário (ITU). O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a acurácia do exame de urina simples para diagnóstico de ITU em gestantes de baixo risco. Fez-se uso do estudo de desempenho de teste diagnóstico realizado em Botucatu, SP, com 230 gestantes, entre 2006 e 2008. Os resultados mostram que a prevalência de ITU foi de 10 por cento. A sensibilidade foi 95,6 por cento, especificidade 63,3 por cento e acurácia 66,5 por cento do exame de urina simples, em relação ao diagnóstico de ITU. A análise dos valores preditivos positivo e negativo (VPP e VPN) mostrou que, na vigência de exame de urina simples normal, a chance de haver ITU foi pequena (VPN 99,2 por cento). Frente ao resultado alterado desse exame, a probabilidade de haver ITU foi baixa (VPP 22,4 por cento). Conclui-se que a acurácia do exame de urina simples como meio diagnóstico de ITU foi baixa, sendo indispensável a realização de urocultura para o diagnóstico.

Relevance of herniography for accurate diagnosis of patent processus vaginalis in cryptorchidism

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role of peritoneography in assessing the patency of processus vaginalis (PV) in pediatric patients diagnosed with cryptorchidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a prospective clinical trial to evaluate the patency of PV in boys presenting cryptorchidism. Herniography was performed in 310 prepubertal boys. Data about the morphology of PV was compared with operative findings in those surgically treated patients. Retractile and ectopic testes were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of the 376 undescended testes (310 patients), 281 cases were associated with an obliterated PV. Herniography revealed 95 cases of open PV in cryptorchid boys. The 244 normally descended testes had associated patent processus vaginalis in only 31 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Herniography is the most relevant procedure for accurate diagnosis of persistent PV. The persistence of PV was significantly more frequent when the position of the testes is more cranial. The incidence of an open PV decreases with age.