[Analysis of anorectal manometry data in central and peripheral neurological deseases: Review of the literature]. / Analyse des données de manométrie ano-rectale dans les pathologies neurologiques centrales et périphériques : revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral or central neurological deseases are providers of anorectal disorders of variable clinical expression (constipation, dyschezia, faecal incontinence (FI)…). Anorectal manometry (ARM) participates in their exploration to determine the underlying mechanisms, guide and optimize treatments. The objective of this work was to determine if there is a pattern of ARM data in neurological populations. MATERIALS ET METHODS: Literature review from PubMed, Cochrane and Google scholar databases, using the following keywords: parkinsonian disorders; parkinson's disease; multiple slcerosis; neurolog*; spinal cord injury; spina bifida occulta; stroke; pudendal; endometriosis; peripheral nervous system diseases. 196 articles were isolated and finally 45 retained after reading the title and the abstract. RESULTS: Data comparison was difficult due to the heterogeneity of techniques and thresholds used. In central lesions, resting and squeeze anal pressures were often altered. The presence of FI or constipation, the sex and the lesion level were factors influencing these data (low if complete injury, women or EDSS>5.5). In case of peripheral lesion, it is the anal tone and the contraction that varied the symptomatology. The sensory thresholds were variable regardless of the impairment. CONCLUSION: This review did not identify a data pattern of ARM in central and peripheral neurological deseases. Gradual standardization of techniques and protocols will allow better comparison of data.

[Is pressure transmission quality during cystometry dependent on the type of effort?] / La qualité de transmission des pressions pendant la cystomanométrie est-elle dépendante du type d'effort ?

INTRODUCTION: The International Continence Society (ICS) recommends a control of the good pressure transmission by a coughing effort during cystometry. While poor transmission is sometimes observed in routine practice, other maneuvers can also be proposed. The main objective of this study was to determine if there is a better maneuver to evaluate the pressure transmission ratio between the abdominal cavity and the bladder. METHODS: We performed a prospective, consecutive, single-center study in a tertiary neuro-urology department in 31 subjects. During a cystometry, each patient was asked to perform at 0ml and 100ml of bladder filling, a cough effort, an abdominal push and a Valsalva maneuver controlled by a manometer. The value of the bladder pressure to abdominal pressure ratio was collected manually. The average variations were compared between each maneuver for the same volume of replenishment and between the 2 volumes of replenishment studied. RESULTS: At 0ml of filling, the difference in pressure variation between the Pves and the Pabd is significantly higher during the cough maneuver compared to the Valsalva (P=0.015), which is not found at 100ml of filling. CONCLUSION: During bladder filling, the pressure transmission ratios during the 3 maneuvers are equivalent. Coughing or abdominal thrusting, which are easier to perform than the Valsalva maneuver, should be recommended to check the quality of the recording during cystomanometry.

[An initial lack of knowledge of the perineal anatomy does not influence the learning of intermittent self-catheterization in women]. / La méconnaissance initiale de l'anatomie périnéale n'influence pas l'apprentissage de l'auto-sondage intermittent chez la femme.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of female perineal anatomy knowledge on the success of a first learning of intermittent self-catheterization (ISC). METHODS: Thirty subjects benefited from educational diagnosis, training and follow-up during 2 visits in a neuro-urology department. Three knowledge anatomical tests were carried out: a freehand drawing, then a diagram to be annotated and a self-location of the following 6 structures (labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral meatus, vaginal orifice, anus) as well as a physiological knowledge test. A correction was made after annotating the diagram to perfect the learning process before performing the procedure. RESULTS: Of the women studied, 83.3% had a neurological pathology and 77.7% had a gyneco-obstetrical history. Half of them had undergone perineal rehabilitation. Our study shows a lack of knowledge of the perineum prior to learning self-catheterization: 43.3% thought they knew it partially and 46.7% reported that they did not know it. Fifty-three percent of the subjects did not indicate the urethral meatus and 43.3% did not annotate the vaginal orifice on the diagram. Difficulties in anatomical transposition were observed: the urethral meatus was self-located in only 43.3% of subjects and 30% did not locate the vaginal orifice. Previous perineal rehabilitation was not benefical in the self-recognition of anatomical structures. However, all the patients, including those who did not initially locate the urethral meatus, acquired the technique of ISC. CONCLUSION: Intial perineal anatomy ignorance in women was frequent but was not an obstacle to learning ISC. LEVEL OF PROOF: 4.

[Urethral reflexes: A review]. / Les réflexes urétraux : revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: The urethrosphincter complex is involved not only in maintaining urinary continence, particularly during effort, but also for the achievement of a complete and effective micturition. Indeed, the urethra is not a simple passive channel for the evacuation of urine from the bladder to the urethral meatus, since its resistive capacities and its possibilities of modulation of the micturition reflex depend on its reflex role either as a sensory afferent or as a neuro-muscular effector. It also participates in many genito-sexual and ano-rectal réflexes. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This review of the literature describes the various reflexes of the urethra as a sensory stimulus or a neuromuscular effector. All articles referenced in this review were obtained from articles indexed on Pubmed-Medline, using the keywords: "urethral reflexes; "reflex bladder"; "urination reflex"; "intravaginal; vaginal"; "anorectal; sphincter"; "Storage and voiding"; "reflexes sneezing"; "cough reflex". Other articles were selected through references of the articles issued from the first research. Only articles in English and French have been selected. The articles concerned animal and human experiments. RESULTS: Eight hundred and sixty-four referenced articles were founded and a total of 75 articles were included, describing the various reflexes mediated by the urethra acting as a sensory afferent or mechanical effector. We differentiated the known data in humans and animals. CONCLUSION: The urethra is a complex anatomical structure ensuring, through numerous reflex mechanisms, urinary continence. Urethral resistances are modulated during efforts and depends on the bladder capacity and the intensity of the efforts. During micturition, the coordination between the bladder and the urethra is mediated by reflex pathways organized at the cerebral, spinal and lumbosacral levels. The modulation of the micturition in term of efficacy and velocity, is due in part, to the re-afferentation of the spinal reflex by continuous stimulus of the urethral canal. Many of these reflexes are imperfectly described. Finally, the urethra is implicated in reflex loops of anal continence and sexual functions.

How to dress up in Neuro-urology department?

INTRODUCTION: To examine patient preferences and perceptions regarding physician dress code in a neuro-urology department. MATERIAL: A questionnaire presenting with different physician dress codes was submitted to patients in a neuro-urology department: casual outfit with white coat, scrubs and scrubs with white coat. Respondents selected their ideal dress code and mentioned if any dress code shock them. Respondents' general opinions regarding physician attire, its importance and relation with patient satisfaction were collected. RESULTS: 163 questionnaires were completed. The three physician attires were chosen equally by the respondents. 71.4% of the respondents felt comfortable with the three attires. When an attire appeared to be offending, the casual attire with white coat was mentioned in 68.2%. 52.5% of the patients reported that the way their doctor dressed was important to them. 36.3% of respondents reported that physician attire influenced how confident they felt about the care they received. Male respondents preferred scrubs with white coat (44.0%) while female respondents preferred casual attire with white coat (42.0%), P=0.02. Neither the age, nor the reason of the consult, the knowledge of the department, the presence of neurological disease, the occupational category and the education level of the patient had an influence on the preference for one specific physician attire. CONCLUSION: Physician attire in neuro-urology may influence the way that patients perceive care. Physicians must not be restricted to one particular attire in neuro-urology department. However since almost 20% of the patients feel uncomfortable with the casual attire and white coat, it should be avoided. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Urethral pain during clean intermittent self catheterization: Retrospective analysis of 77 patients]. / Analyse de la douleur urétrale lors de la pratique de l'autosondage : étude rétrospective sur 77 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Clean self-intermittent catheterization (CIC) is the gold standard of the therapeutic approach of chronic urinary retention. Usually, CIC are safe, effective but in some cases catheterization can determine urethral pain during catheter insertion or withdrawal leading to poor adherence and compliance. To determine prevalence of pain during CIC and verify its impact on adherence to treatment. METHOD: Retrospective study with evaluation of pain during CIC one month following CIC teaching session by means specific and validated questionnaires: ICDQ (Intermittent Catheterization Difficulties Questionnaire), InCasaq (Intermittent Catheterization Satisfaction Questionnaire), I-CAS (Intermittent Catheterization Adherence Scale). RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were recruited and 28 (36%) described pain during CIC. There is a strong relationship between pain and poor adherence (P<0.01). Female patients had a higher risk of urethral pain during CIC and in contrary BMI>25kg/m2 seems to be a protective factor of pain. CONCLUSION: In this series, urethral pain was associated with low compliance and adherence to CIC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Impact of body mass index on lower urinary tract disorders in multiple sclerosis]. / Influence de l'indice de masse corporelle sur les troubles urinaires de la sclérose en plaques.

INTRODUCTION: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and principally overactive bladder, are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, their origin is not necessarily unique. Obesity is widely recognized as a risk factor for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and overactive bladder (OAB) in the general population. We wanted to evaluate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on LUTS in the MS population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an uncontrolled monocentric retrospective study in 260 subjects classified into 4 BMI groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese people. Comparisons by Mann-Whitney test were made between different BMI groups, in the overall population and then by gender. LUTS (SUI, OAB, BOO (bladder outlet obstruction) were assessed using USP questionnaire. RESULTS: In women, the mean OAB score was higher for obese women, 10.27 (SD=4.5) than for normal weight women, 7.96 (SD=4.58), P=0.024. The SUI score was lower for normal weight, 1.69 (SD=2.38) than for overweight, 3.19 (SD=2.91), P=0.002 and obese subjects, 3.80 (SD=3.23), P=0.0005. As in the overall population, the BOO score was higher in subjects with normal weight, 4.09 (SD=3.33) than in subjects with overweight, 1.91 (SD=2.03), P=0.0003 and in obese subjects, 2.33 (SD=2.37), P=0.013. The same comparisons in men were not significant. CONCLUSION: In this series, increased BMI was associated with higher OAB and SUI USP questionnaire scores, in women presenting with MS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

[Absorbent products for urinary incontinence management]. / Place des protections dans la prise en charge de l'incontinence urinaire.

INTRODUCTION: Despite therapeutic strategies of female and male urinary incontinence (UI) are currently well defined, there is no precise indication of the real place or strategy use of absorbent products regardless of the etiology of the incontinence or the clinical context. METHODS: We performed a research from the PubMed database using the following keywords: (urinary incontinence [MESH Terms]) AND absorbent pad [MeSH Terms]; allowing us to isolate 362 articles. RESULTS: Many protections designs are available over-the-counter without prescription and without reimbursement in France. For "light UI", disposable insert pads are the design that seems to be the most suitable for women, compared to disposable menstrual pads, OR=0.27 [0.14, 0.52], washable pants with integral pad OR=0.12 [0.06, 0.26] or washable insert pads OR=0.05 [0.02, 0.26]. For moderate to severe UI, there is no "best universal product". There are differences between the gender and the use of a panel of protections seems the most appropriate. Both women and men prefer pull-ups to disposable insert pads, OR=0.41 [0.20, 0.87] and OR=0.39 [0.22, 0.68] respectively. In men, a preference in 70 % of subjects for urisheats is observed compared to the protections they usually use (P=0.02). The use of protections improves independence in daily OR activities=0.102 [0.046, 0.158] and quality of life related to UI OR=4.40 [1.74, 7.07] compared to patients not using protections. Despite this, their use must remain cautious because of the potential infectious urinary complications, more frequent in particular in institutional people, with 41 % of users developing at least one urinary infection over an evaluation period of 12 months vs. 11 % of non-users (P=0.001), or immuno-allergic with the "dermatitis associated incontinence" whose prevalence can reach a rate of 50 %. CONCLUSION: Comparative analyzes of risk-benefit, economic costs, patient satisfaction, protections vs. other measures are lacking. It is necessary to continue the development of these products and to compare more precisely their intrinsic characteristics, to best support patients choices.

[Menthol in the control of bladder activity: A review]. / Le menthol dans le contrôle de l'activité de la vessie : revue de littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Menthol is a natural compound, of which the known effects on human physiology are manifold (a feeling of freshness, decongestant, bowel antispasmodic). Its implication in vesico-sphincteral physiopathology has been studied since the nineties. METHOD: Literature review of the previous studies having implied menthol in pelvi-perineal physiology through the articles indexed on the Pubmed database, with keywords menthol, menthol and bladder, menthol and toxicity, and TRPM8. Only articles in English were selected. RESULTS: Of the 30 articles that were included, most demonstrated the existence of a micturition reflex to menthol and cold, mediated by the C-type nerve to the spine through activation of TRPM8 urothelial receptors. More recent experiments paradoxically showed an inhibitory effect of menthol on detrusor contractility, independently of TRPM8, when muscle tissue is directly exposed to the compound. However, similar effects of targeted cutaneous exposure or urothelial exposure on detrusorian function have also been demonstrated through TRPM8. This receptor also appears to be involved in interstitial cystitis and idiopathic detrusor overactivity. Lastly, the potential toxicity of menthol appears negligible. Most of the referenced studies are related to animal experiments. Of the three studies that implied humans, only one elucidates some therapeutic applications. CONCLUSION: It seems that menthol and its receptors are involved in vesico-sphincteral physiopathology and could provide therapeutic potential in detrusorian overactivity and interstitial cystitis with reduced toxicity.

[Coital incontinence]. / L'incontinence coïtale.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence may seriously impact quality of life, self-image and subsequently the sexual life. Beside this fact, urinary leakage can specifically occur during sexual intercourse, formally named coital incontinence, and thus lead to specific alteration of the sexual life. AIM: To analyse the prevalence, pathophysiological mechanisms and possible therapeutic options for coital urinary incontinence. METHODS: Related terms to urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction were search on PubMed database. RESULTS: Whereas at least a quarter of incontinent women have a coital incontinence, this symptom was rarely spontaneously reported. Some women had only coital incontinence (7.6 to 20% of cases). In men, urinary incontinence during sexual intercourse was mainly observed after prostatectomy in 20 to 64% of cases. Coital incontinence requires precise assessment. Indeed, it can occur whatever the phase of coitus: local stimulation (20-30%), excitement (13-18%), penetration (62.9-68%), movements back and forth, orgasm (27-37.1%). Cervico-urethral hypermobility, sphincter incompetence, urethral instability, detrusor overactivity could be the principal physiopathological mechanisms. In men, the main cause was a stress incontinence secondary to sphincter deficiency. Specific therapeutic strategies have proved their effectiveness. The rehabilitative approach (RR=0.25, CI [0.06-1.01]), medicinal (anticholinergic were effective in 59% of cases) or surgical therapeutic (slings with an efficiency of 87%) was proposed to patients. CONCLUSION: Coital incontinence is a common and troublesome symptom. Its precise assessment may suggest a specific mechanism and thus a specific treatment.