Use of alpha-adrenergic antagonists for lower urinary tract symptoms is not associated with worsening cognitive function.

INTRODUCTION: Alpha-adrenergic antagonists are widely prescribed for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), however there has been a report that their use is associated with dementia. Our objective was to investigate if new users of alpha-adrenergic antagonists with varying levels of cognitive impairment had an increased risk of cognitive decline compared to non-users. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, utilizing data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) data set. After applying relevant exclusion criteria, 916 people who were newly using alpha-antagonist medications were matched with a propensity score to 916 who were not using these medications. The primary outcome was a clinically relevant cognitive decline measured by the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Dementia Staging Instrument or the mini mental state examination (MMSE). Secondary outcomes included scores from other cognitive assessment tools. RESULTS: The matched cohorts did not differ significantly in baseline characteristics. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline or follow-up cognitive scores between those exposed and nonexposed to alpha-adrenergic antagonists. Clinically significant cognitive decline (as defined by the CDR) occurred in 9.72% of the exposed group and 8.19% of the nonexposed group. There was no observed effect of alpha-adrenergic antagonists on cognitive decline, as measured with the CDR (odds ratio [OR] 1.34, p = 0.14) or the MMSE (OR 0.98, p = 0.92). Stratified analyses by cognitive status and apolipoprotein E genotype interaction assessment also demonstrated no significant associations. CONCLUSION: Alpha-adrenergic antagonists for LUTS do not appear to increase the risk of cognitive decline, offering reassurance to clinicians and patients.

Simple prostatectomy using the open and robotic approaches for lower urinary tract symptoms: A retrospective, case-control series.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to assess the outcome of our series of simple prostatectomy at our institution using the open simple prostatectomy (OSP) and robotic-assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP) approaches. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of men who underwent OSP and RASP at Western University, in London, ON. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: From 2012-2020, 29 men underwent a simple prostatectomy at our institution. Eight patients underwent an OSP and 21 patients underwent a RASP. The median age was 69 years. Preoperative median prostate volume was 153 cm³ (range 80-432). The surgical indications were failed medical treatment, urinary retention, hydronephrosis, cystolithiasis, and recurrent hematuria. The median operative time was 137.5 minutes in OSP and 185 minutes in RASP (p=0.04). Median estimated blood loss was 2300 ml (range 600-4000) and 100 ml (range 50-400) in the open and robotic procedures, respectively (p=0.4). The mean length of hospital stay was shorter in the RASP group, one day vs. three days (z=4.152, p<0.005). Perioperative complication rates were significantly lower in the group undergoing RASP, with no complications recorded in this group (p=0.004). Both groups demonstrated excellent functional results, with most patients reporting complete urinary continence (p=0.8). CONCLUSIONS: We report very good perioperative outcomes, with a minimal risk profile and excellent functional results, leading to marked improvement in patients' symptoms at followup after both the OSP and RASP approaches. RASP was associated with a shorter length of hospital stay, decreased blood loss, and a lower complication rate.

A population-based, retrospective cohort study analyzing contemporary trends in the surgical management of urinary stone disease in adults.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to review the trends and incidence of surgical intervention for adults with upper urinary tract stones in Ontario, Canada, and to hypothesize potential causes for the observed changes. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective, population-based cohort study using administrative databases held at the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) to identify all adults (≥18 years) who underwent surgical treatment for urolithiasis, defined by records using a combination of both hospital and physician billing from 2002-2019. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize baseline patient demographics, and surgical trends were analyzed using the Cochrane-Armitage test for trend. RESULTS: From 2002-2019, 140 263 patients were treated surgically for urolithiasis. During this time period, the total number of surgically treated stone disease increased by 80.5%. By type of procedure, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) increased by 187% and ureteroscopy (URS) increased by 158%, while the number of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) declined by 31.4%. The adult population in Ontario in the years evaluated grew by 24.4%. The number of surgical procedures per 100 000 people over this time grew by 45.3%. For every 1% increase in the population, there was a 2.6% rise in stone-related surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The number of stone-related surgical procedures performed rose significantly and cannot be accounted for by population growth alone. This rise was proportionally larger in the female population, further supporting a narrowing of the gender gap in urinary stone disease. The reasons for the increase are likely multifactorial and may imply an increasing incidence of surgically treated stone disease. The change in the proportion of URS and SWL performed may demonstrate a continued shift in surgical preference or may be reflective of resource limitations and availability. The increase in PCNL volumes may also suggest a greater complexity of cases. These findings should be considered for future resource planning and require further study.