Epidemiology and outcome of antimicrobial resistance to gram-negative pathogens in bacteriuric kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: In kidney transplant recipients, episodes of bacteriuria are often treated regardless of the presence of symptoms because of the lack of clear treatment guidelines suggesting otherwise. This practice may lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Our aim was to determine the incidence, determinants, and impact of antimicrobial resistance in kidney transplant recipients with gram-negative bacteriuria. METHOD: We conducted a single-center, retrospective cohort study in patients who underwent kidney transplantation between January 2008 and June 2013. To identify risk factors for the development of resistance, we used a logistic regression model with generalized estimating equations to account for within-subject correlation. RESULTS: Among the 318 patients who underwent kidney transplantation during the study period, 147 patients developed 555 gram-negative episodes of bacteriuria. Resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and quinolones, and production of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) occurred in 52%, 21%, and 5% of isolated microorganisms, respectively. An increased risk of resistance to quinolones and production of ESBL were associated with concomitant diabetes (odds ratio [OR]: 2.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-4.74), the first year post transplantation (OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.36-6.09), and antibiotic treatment in the previous 6 months (OR: 3.36, 95% CI: 1.66-6.81). This resistance profile was also associated with the presence of symptoms, a longer duration of antibiotic treatment, and a higher rate of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Antimicrobial resistance to quinolones and production of ESBL were commonly seen, and were shown to demonstrate an adverse impact on outcomes in kidney transplant recipients with gram-negative bacteriuria. The decision on treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria should be made with caution, given the potential for the selection of resistant strains.

Effect of needle size on cancer detection, pain, bleeding and infection in TRUS-guided prostate biopsies: A prospective trial.

INTRODUCTION: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies using 18G calibre needles are widely used; most often 12-core tissue samples of the peripheral zone are obtained. Although the diagnostic yield of prostate biopsies is fair, there is still a potential for false negative results, which necessitates repeat biopsies. In an effort to improve the accuracy of prostate biopsies, different sampling schemes have been developed. One strategy has been to increase the number of core biopsies performed on each patient. Another strategy has been to improve the reliability of prostate biopsies using larger calibre needles, thereby increasing the amount of tissue obtained for each core biopsy. METHODS: After approval by our institutional review board, we prospectively compared two biopsy needle sizes (18G vs. 16G) in relation to prostate cancer diagnosis, pain, bleeding and infection rates on 105 patients. Each patient underwent 6 TRUS-guided prostate biopsies with the standard 18G needle and 6 other biopsies with the experimental 16G needle. To evaluate possible complications related to the use of a larger 16G needle in the experimental group, we compared pain, bleeding and infection rates with a control group of 100 patients who underwent 12 biopsies with a single 18G needle (18G group). Pain, bleeding assessment and infection events were evaluated using patient questionnaires and telephone interviews. RESULTS: TRUS-guided prostate biopsies using 16G calibre needles did not increase cancer detection or non-malignant pathology rate, including prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and atypical small acinar proliferatio (ASAP). Pain, bleeding and infectious complications were similar in both groups. Infection was defined as temperature above 38°C occurring within 48 hours after the procedure. We identified 4 patients with post-biopsy fever in the experimental (16/18G) group and 4 other patients in the (18G) control group. The post-biopsy infection rate is higher than reported just a few years ago and indicates that quinolone resistant Escherichia coli seems to be more prevalent in our urban setting than previously suspected. Limitations to our study include small group numbers. CONCLUSION: Larger 16G needles appear to be safe for TRUS-guided prostate biopsies. Further study in a larger, multi-institutional, prospective, randomized manner with 16G needles is warranted to assess the theoretical benefit of larger core biopsies in prostate cancer detection.

Reactive oxygen species promote caspase-12 expression and tubular apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy.

Apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells contributes to the tubular atrophy that accompanies diabetic nephropathy. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote tubular apoptosis, but the mechanisms by which this occurs are incompletely understood. Here, we sought proapoptotic genes that ROS differentially upregulate in renal proximal tubular cells of diabetic (db/db) mice. We performed microarray analysis using total RNA from freshly isolated renal proximal tubules of nondiabetic, diabetic, and diabetic transgenic mice overexpressing catalase in the proximal tubule (thereby attenuating ROS). We observed greater expression of caspase-12 in the proximal tubules of the diabetic mice compared with the nondiabetic and diabetic transgenic mice. Quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed the enhanced expression of caspase-12, as well as members of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptotic pathway. Ex vivo, albumin induced caspase-12 activity and expression (protein and mRNA) and mRNA expression of the CCAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein in freshly isolated wild-type proximal tubules but not in catalase-overexpressing proximal tubules. In vitro, albumin stimulated activity of both caspase-12 and caspase-3 as well as expression of caspase-12 and CCAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein in a human proximal tubule cell line (HK-2). The free radical scavenger tiron inhibited these effects. Furthermore, knockdown of caspase-12 with small interfering RNA reduced albumin-induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that albuminuria may induce tubular apoptosis through generation of ROS and the subsequent expression and activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress genes in the diabetic kidney.

The rate of secondary malignancies after radical prostatectomy versus external beam radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer: a population-based study on 17,845 patients.

PURPOSE: External-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) may predispose to secondary malignancies that include bladder cancer (BCa), rectal cancer (RCa), and lung cancer (LCa). We tested this hypothesis in a large French Canadian population-based cohort of prostate cancer patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Overall, 8,455 radical prostatectomy (RP) and 9,390 EBRT patients treated between 1983 and 2003 were assessed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Three endpoints were examined: (1) diagnosis of secondary BCa, (2) LCa, or (3) RCa. Covariates included age, Charlson comorbidity index, and year of treatment. RESULTS: In multivariable analyses that relied on incident cases diagnosed 60 months or later after RP or EBRT, the rates of BCa (hazard ratio [HR], 1.4; p = 0.02), LCa (HR, 2.0; p = 0.004), and RCa (HR 2.1; p <0.001) were significantly higher in the EBRT group. When incident cases diagnosed 120 months or later after RP or EBRT were considered, only the rates of RCa (hazard ratio 2.2; p = 0.003) were significantly higher in the EBRT group. In both analyses, the absolute differences in incident rates ranged from 0.7 to 5.2% and the number needed to harm (where harm equaled secondary malignancies) ranged from 111 to 19, if EBRT was used instead of RP. CONCLUSIONS: EBRT may predispose to clinically meaningfully higher rates of secondary BCa, LCa and RCa. These rates should be included in informed consent consideration.

Gender-related differences in patients with stage I to III upper tract urothelial carcinoma: results from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of gender in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) stage at nephroureterectomy (NU), as well as on cancer-specific mortality (CSM) after NU in patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stages I-III UTUC. METHODS: Our analyses relied on 2903 (59.9%) males and 1947 (40.1%) females who underwent an NU for pT(1-3)N(0/x)M(0) UTUC between 1988 and 2006, within 17 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models examined the effect of gender on stage and grade distribution at NU. Subsequently, cumulative incidence plots explored the impact of gender on CSM rates, after accounting for other-cause mortality (OCM). Finally, competing-risks regression models tested the independent predictor status of gender in CSM analyses. Covariates consisted of pT stage, pN stage, tumor grade, primary tumor location, type and year of surgery, age, and race. RESULTS: Relative to males, females had a higher proportion of pT(3) UTUC (43.1% vs 39%; P = .02) and a higher proportion of grade III/IV UTUC (63.8% vs 59.8%; P = .04) at NU. The female gender represented an independent predictor of pT(3) UTUC at NU (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.15; P = .03). After accounting for OCM, CSM rates in females were higher than those in males (HR: 1.18; P = .03). However, in multivariable competing-risks regression models, no statistically significant differences in survival were recorded between males and females (HR: 1.07; P = .4). CONCLUSIONS: Females are more likely to have more advanced pathologic T stage and higher tumor grade at NU than males. After accounting for OCM, stage, grade, and noncancer characteristics, gender no longer affects CSM.

Adenocarcinoma versus urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder: comparison between pathologic stage at radical cystectomy and cancer-specific mortality.

OBJECTIVES: To compare stage at radical cystectomy (RC) and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) after RC between non-urachal adenocarcinoma (ADK) and urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the urinary bladder. METHODS: Within 17 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registries, we identified ADK and UC patients who underwent a RC between 1988 and 2006. We examined differences in stage and grade at RC between ADK and UC patients. Kaplan-Meier plots depicted CSM after RC. Cox regression analyses examined CSM rates, adjusted for T and N stages, tumor grade, age, gender, race, and year of surgery. Thereafter, we relied on statistically significant variables from the multivariate Cox regression model to match ADK and UC patients. Finally, we plotted Kaplan-Meier survival curves of the matched ADK and UC patients. RESULTS: Of 306 ADK and 11 697 UC patients, 188 (61.4%) and 5538 (47.3%), respectively, showed extravesical disease (pT(3-4); P <.001) and 26.5% vs 21.7% had lymph node metastases at RC (P = .04), respectively. After adjustment for all covariates, including stage and grade, ADK was not associated with worse prognosis than UC (hazard ratio, 1.05; P = .6). Similarly, after matching, no difference in CSM was recorded between the 2 histologic subtypes (hazard ratio, 1.07; P = .5). CONCLUSIONS: ADK patients undergo RC at more advanced disease stages. However, stage- and grade-adjusted CSM is the same between ADK and UC patients. Efforts should be aimed at providing definitive treatment at earlier stages, especially in patients with ADK histologic subtype.

Should bladder cuff excision remain the standard of care at nephroureterectomy in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis? A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: A large, multi-institutional, tertiary care center study suggested no benefit from bladder cuff excision (BCE) at nephroureterectomy in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UC). OBJECTIVE: We tested and quantified the prognostic impact of BCE at nephroureterectomy on cancer-specific mortality (CSM) in a large population-based cohort of patients with UC of the renal pelvis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 4210 patients with UC of the renal pelvis were treated with nephroureterectomy with (NUC) or without (NU) a BCE between 1988 and 2006 within 17 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries. MEASUREMENTS: Cumulative incidence plots and competing risks regression models compared CSM after either NUC or NU. Covariates consisted of pathologic T and N stages, grade, age, year of surgery, gender, and race. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Respectively, 2492 (59.2%) and 1718 (40.8%) patients underwent a nephroureterectomy with or without BCE. In univariable and multivariable analyses, BCE omission increased CSM rates in patients with pT3N0/x, pT4N0/x, and pT(any)N1-3 UC of the renal pelvis. For example, in patients with pT3N0/x disease, holding all other variables constant, BCE omission increased CSM in a 1.25-fold fashion (p=0.04). Similarly, in patients with pT4N0/x disease, BCE omission resulted in a 1.45-fold increase (p=0.02). The main limitation of our study is the lack of data on disease recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Nephroureterectomy with BCE remains the standard of care in the treatment of UC of the renal pelvis and should invariably be performed in patients with locally advanced disease. Conversely, patients with pT1 and pT2 disease could be considered for NU without compromising CSM. However, recurrence data are needed to fully confirm the validity of this option.

Prediction of delayed graft function after renal transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed graft function (DGF), defined as the need for dialysis during the first week after renal transplantation, is an important adverse clinical outcome. A previous model relied on 16 variables to quantify the risk of DGF, thereby undermining its clinical usefulness. We explored the possibility of developing a simpler, equally accurate and more user-friendly paradigm for renal transplant recipients from deceased donors. METHODS: Logistic regression analyses addressed the occurrence of DGF in 532 renal transplant recipients from deceased donors. Predictors consisted of recipient age, gender, race, weight, number of HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DR mismatches, maximum and last titre of panel reactive antibodies, donor age and cold ischemia time. Accuracy was quantified with the area under the curve. Two hundred bootstrap resamples were used for internal validation. RESULTS: Delayed graft function occurred in 103 patients (19.4%). Recipient weight (p < 0.001), panel of reactive antibodies (p < 0.001), donor age (p < 0.001), cold ischemia time (p = 0.005) and HLA-DR mismatches (p = 0.05) represented independent predictors. The multivariable nomogram relying on 6 predictors was 74.3% accurate in predicting the probability of DGF. CONCLUSION: Our simple and user-friendly model requires 6 variables and is at least equally accurate (74%) to the previous nomogram (71%). We demonstrate that DGF can be accurately predicted in different populations with this new model.

Thirty-day mortality after transurethral resection of the prostate in patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Seven percent of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) who are exposed to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may need transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Our objective was to examine the rate and the predictors of 30-day mortality (30dM) after TURP in patients who were exposed to ADT in a large, contemporary Canadian cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed the 30dM rate after TURP in 853 men with the diagnosis of PCa who were treated with primary ADT or radiation therapy followed by ADT. The effect of age, comorbidity (coded according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI]), number of previous TURP procedures, history of radiation therapy, exposure to antiandrogens, and the type and the duration of ADT before TURP were all tested in univariable and multivariable logistic regression models that predicted 30dM after TURP. RESULTS: During the initial 30 days after TURP, 38 deaths occurred (4.5%, 95% confidence interval: 3.2%-6.2%). Of all variables, the CCI was the only statistically significant (P = 0.001) predictor of 30dM after TURP. The accuracy of CCI in predicting 30dM after TURP in individual patients was 65.1%. Lack of consideration of clinical variables that could predict the 30dM rate after TURP, such as prostate size or prostate-specific antigen level, represents a limitation of this study. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial risk of 30dM is associated with TURP that is performed in patients who are exposed to ADT. Unfortunately, the predictors used in this analysis could not define the individual risk of 30dM with sufficient accuracy. Nonetheless, the average 4.5% risk should be considered at the time of informed consent.

Population-based study of perioperative mortality after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (RPLND) perioperative mortality (PM) rates reported from a center of excellence (Indiana University: 0% for primary and 0.8% for postchemotherapy RPLND) are applicable to institutions at large. METHODS: We used the data from 882 assessable patients with nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumor treated with RPLND from 1988 to 1997 accessed from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. These data did not include data from Indiana University. The observed PM rates were stratified according to age and SEER stage. RESULTS: The median age at RPLND was 29 years. Of the 882 cases, 435 (49.3%) were performed for localized (Stage I), 380 (43.1%) for regional (Stage II), and 67 (7.6%) for metastatic (Stage III) SEER stage. Of the 882 patients, 7 patients died during the initial 90 days after RPLND, for a 0.8% PM rate. PM increased with increasing age: < or =29 years, 0.0%; 30-39 years, 1.3%; and > or =40 years, 2.7% (chi(2) trend test, P = .002). PM also increased with increasing stage: 0.0% for localized, 0.8% for regional, and 6.0% for metastatic disease (chi(2) trend test, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: RPLND is associated with virtually no or low PM in patients with localized and regional disease. The PM rates for these 2 groups replicated those of Indiana University. In contrast, the PM rate of 6% for patients with distant metastases implies that RPLND for these higher risk patients should ideally be performed at centers of excellence, with the intent of reducing the PM rate.

Development and external validation of a highly accurate nomogram for the prediction of perioperative mortality after transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects 60% of men at the age of 60 years. Transurethral resection of the prostate is the gold standard of therapy. We assessed the 30-day mortality rate after transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia, identified risk factors related to 30-day mortality and developed a model that discriminates among individual 30-day mortality risk levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed development (7,362) and external validation (7,362) of a multivariable logistic regression model predicting the individual probability of 30-day mortality after transurethral resection of the prostate based on an administrative data set (Quebec Health Plan) of 14,724 patients 43 to 99 years old treated between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 2000. RESULTS: Overall 30-day mortality occurred in 58 patients (0.4%) undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate. On univariable analyses increasing age (p <0.001) and increasing Charlson comorbidity index (p <0.001) were statistically significant predictors of 30-day mortality after transurethral resection of the prostate. Conversely annual surgical volume was not. On multivariable analyses age (p <0.001) and Charlson comorbidity index (p <0.001) reached independent predictor status. The accuracy of the age and Charlson comorbidity index based nomogram that predicts the individual probability of 30-day mortality after transurethral resection of the prostate was 83% in the external validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Age and Charlson comorbidity index are important determinants of 30-day mortality after transurethral resection of the prostate. The combination of these parameters allows an 83% accurate prediction of individual 30-day mortality risk after transurethral resection of the prostate. Despite limitations such as the need for additional external validations and possibly the need for inclusion of clinical parameters, the use of the current model is warranted for the purpose of informed consent before transurethral resection of the prostate and/or for patient counseling.

A population based assessment of perioperative mortality after cystectomy for bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: Large variability exists in the rates of perioperative mortality after cystectomy. Contemporary estimates range from 0.7% to 5.6%. We tested several predictors of perioperative mortality and devised a model for individual perioperative mortality prediction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We relied on life tables to quantify 30, 60 and 90-day mortality rates according to age, gender, stage (localized vs regional), grade, type of surgery (partial vs radical cystectomy), year of cystectomy and histological bladder cancer subtype. We fitted univariable and multivariable logistic regression models using 5,510 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer and treated with partial or radical cystectomy within 4 SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) registries between 1984 and 2004. We then externally validated the model on 5,471 similar patients from 5 other SEER registries. RESULTS: At 30, 60 and 90 days the perioperative mortality rates were 1.1%, 2.4% and 3.9%, respectively. Age, stage and histological subtype represented statistically significant and independent predictors of 90-day mortality. The combined use of these 3 variables and of tumor grade resulted in the most accurate model (70.1%) for prediction of individual probability of 90-day mortality after cystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of our model could potentially be improved with the consideration of additional parameters such as surgical and hospital volume or comorbidity. While better models are being developed and tested we suggest the use of the current model in individual decision making and in informed consent considerations because it provides accurate predictions in 7 of 10 patients.

Population-based analysis of normal Total PSA and percentage of free/Total PSA values: results from screening cohort.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the distribution of total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) and percentage of free/total PSA (%f/tPSA) values in patients undergoing prostate cancer screening in Canada. METHODS: The data from 4 consecutive annual prostate cancer screening events held in Montreal, Canada were examined with respect to age, tPSA, and %f/tPSA in 3222 men. RESULTS: Within the entire cohort, the median PSA level was 1.0 ng/mL and the median %f/tPSA was 26%. Using the interquartile range around the median, the upper bound for tPSA was situated at 1.9 ng/mL and the lower bound for %f/tPSA was at 19%. The 90th percentile for the median tPSA was 3.8, and the 10th percentile for the median %f/tPSA was 14. PSA and %f/tPSA showed a relation with age. The 75th percentile for the median tPSA level in the age category 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-79 years was 1.1, 1.4, 2.6, and 3.6 ng/mL, respectively. The 25th percentile for the median %f/tPSA level in the age category 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-79 years was 19, 21, 18 and 19 ng/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results can guide clinicians regarding the population-based distribution of serum tPSA and %f/tPSA values. Those values can be used for the purpose of counseling, as well as in the informed consent process before prostate biopsy.

A simple and accurate model for prediction of cancer-specific mortality in patients treated with surgery for primary penile squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Cancer-specific mortality (CSM) of patients with primary penile squamous cell carcinoma (PPSCC) may be quite variable. Recently, a nomogram was developed to provide standardized and individualized mortality predictions. Unfortunately, it relies on a large number (n = 8) of specific variables that are unavailable in routine clinical practice. We attempted to develop a simpler prediction rule with at least equal accuracy in predicting CSM after surgical removal of PPSCC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The predictive rule was developed on a cohort of 856 patients identified in the 1988 to 2004 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. The predictors consisted of age, race, SEER stage (localized versus regional versus metastatic), tumor grade, type of surgery (excisional biopsy, partial penectomy, and radical penectomy), and of lymph node status (pN0 versus pN1-3 versus pNx). A look-up table based on Cox regression model-derived coefficients was used for prediction of 5-year CSM. The predictive rule accuracy was tested using the Harrell's modification of the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve. RESULTS: SEER stage and histologic grade achieved independent predictor status and qualified for inclusion in the model. The model achieved 73.8% accuracy for prediction of CSM at 5 years after surgery. Both predictors achieved independent predictor status in competing risk regression models addressing CSM, where other cause mortality was controlled for. CONCLUSION: Despite equivalent accuracy, our predictive rule predicting 5-year CSM in patients with PPSCC is substantially less complex (2 versus 8 variables) than the previously published model.

A population-based comparison of survival after nephrectomy vs nonsurgical management for small renal masses.

OBJECTIVE: To examine population-based rates of cancer-specific and other-cause mortality after either non-surgical management (NSM) or nephrectomy, in patients with small renal masses, as several reports from selected institutions support the applicability of surveillance in patients with small renal masses, but there are no population-based studies confirming the general applicability of this therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 43 143 patients with renal cell carcinoma identified in the 1988-2004 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database, 10 291 had localized small renal masses (

Effect of body mass index on prostate-specific antigen and percentage free prostate-specific antigen: results from a prostate cancer screening cohort of 1490 men.

OBJECTIVES: Several studies have reported an effect of obesity, defined as elevated body mass index (BMI), on prostate cancer biology. We examined the relationship between BMI and total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) as well as percent free tPSA (%f/tPSA) in a large prostate cancer screening cohort. METHODS: Height, weight, tPSA and %f/tPSA were assessed in 1490 consecutively screened Canadian men without known prostate cancer. Continuously coded and categorized BMI were studied. Statistical analyses consisted of anova, linear regression and bivariate correlations, which adjusted for the effect of age. RESULTS: Median tPSA was 1.06 ng/mL and median %f/tPSA was 27. Median BMI was 26.17 kg/m2. Increasing BMI was weakly, albeit statistically significantly, associated with decreasing %f/tPSA values (correlation coefficient = -0.06, P = 0.01). However, when the World Health Organization BMI categories were considered, there were no statistically significant differences between %f/tPSA values according to categories (anovaP = 0.2). tPSA failed to demonstrate any statistically significant association with either continuously coded (correlation coefficient = -0.03, P = 0.2) or categorized BMI (anovaP = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Body mass index is not a confounder of either tPSA or %f/tPSA in Canadian men without known prostate cancer.

Race affects access to nephrectomy but not survival in renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether, in contemporary patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), access to nephrectomy is the same between the Blacks and Whites, and that there is no difference in mortality after stratification for treatment type. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The effect of race has received little attention in RCC; only two reports have addressed and suggested the presence of racial disparities, including access to nephrectomy and survival after nephrectomy, where Black patients were disadvantaged relative to Whites. We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results data from 12 516 patients of all stages diagnosed and treated for RCC between 2000 and 2004. The effect of race (Black vs White) on nephrectomy rate was addressed in logistic regression and binomial regression models, and Cox regression models tested the effect of race on overall survival. RESULTS: Black patients were 50% less likely to have a nephrectomy than their White counterparts. However, race had no effect on overall survival when the entire cohort was assessed, as well as in subgroups of patients with or without nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Although race is a determinant of access to nephrectomy, it should not be interpreted as a barrier to care, as survival was unaffected by race in patients having a nephrectomy or not. Instead, race might represent a proxy of comorbidity and life-expectancy, which represent surgical selection criteria for nephrectomy.

Current treatment options in the management of chronic prostatitis.

Chronic prostatitis is a disease with an unknown etiology that affects a large number of men. The optimal management for category III chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is unknown. The recent years have seen a significant increase in research efforts to understand, classify and treat CP/CPPS. Standard treatment usually consists of prolonged courses of antibiotics, even though well-designed clinical trials have failed to demonstrate their efficacy. Recent treatment strategies with some evidence of efficacy include: alpha-blockers, anti-inflammatory agents, hormonal manipulation, phytotherapy (quercetin, bee pollen), physiotherapy and chronic pain therapy. A stepwise, multimodal approach can be successful for the majority of patients who present with this difficult condition.

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus: risk reduction strategies in the elderly.

New-onset diabetes mellitus in a previously non-diabetic transplant recipient is a serious adverse event that confers significant morbidity and mortality. The most significant consequences of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in solid organ transplant recipients include decreased patient and graft survival, an increased risk of infectious complications, and morbid cardiovascular events. The development of PTDM in the elderly is of particular concern because this group is already at increased risk of progression of cardiovascular disease. Because the elderly, especially those aged >65 years, are the fastest-growing segment of the renal transplant population, attention needs to be given to PTDM risk reduction and post-transplant management. PTDM develops as a consequence of both impaired insulin production and enhanced peripheral insulin resistance. A number of non-modifiable factors such as age, race, family history, hepatitis C, polycystic kidney disease and emerging genetic causes have been identified as risk factors for PTDM. However, a number of modifiable factors can be targets for intervention in high-risk patients, including bodyweight (through dietary restriction and exercise), hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and the effects of certain immunosuppressive agents. The two agents most responsible for PTDM are tacrolimus and corticosteroids, especially when used in combination. Attempts to modify doses and regimens designed to eliminate or avoid these drugs should be considered. Use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors ('statins') and ACE inhibitors is particularly helpful in controlling hypertension and hyperlipidaemia in the elderly because these agents confer protection against future adverse cardiovascular events. Bisphosphonates are also advantageous in controlling the progression of osteoporosis and possible increased risk of bone fractures. Future trials in the elderly should focus on such endpoints as PTDM, post-transplant neoplasia, cardiovascular events and bone fracture events in order to identify the safest regimens that provide the optimal control of rejection while limiting the morbidity from these secondary events.