The effect of Hydrodistension in combination with Pentosan Polysulfate on treatment outcomes and compliance in the treatment of bladder pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of bladder hydrodistension combined with pentosan polysulfate (PPS) treatment in interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome (BPS). METHODS: In this study, 339 patients diagnosed with IC/BPS were categorized into two groups. The first group only received 300 mg/day PPS, while the second group received 300 mg/day PPS following bladder hydrodistension. The results were evaluated at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th months after the first dose using the interstitial cystitis symptom index (ICSI), international cystitis problem index (ICPI), visual analog scale (VAS), and female sexual function index (FSFI). RESULTS: PPS treatment started just after hydrodistension was significantly more effective than PPS treatment alone and combined treatment significantly reduced the rate of non-compliance such that, at the end of the 3rd month, 12.1% patients in Group-1 did not continue their treatment whereas only 1.9% of patients in Group-2 did not continue. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicate that PPS treatment started just after hydrodistension yields significantly better results in terms of both symptom improvement and treatment compliance in patients with IC/BPS.

Analysis of recurrent urethral strictures due to iatrogenic urethral trauma

Background/aim: We aimed to analyze the effects of stricture location, etiology, age, and catheterization time on recurrence rate and recurrence time in patients who underwent direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU) for urethral strictures. Materials and methods: Patients were divided into three groups according to the location of the stricture: penile urethra, membranous urethra, and prostatic urethra strictures. Patients were also divided into three groups according to etiologic factors: strictures secondary to endoscopic procedures, urethral catheterization, and open or radical prostatectomy (anastomotic strictures were included in this group). Patients were also divided into three groups according to catheterization time: <2, 2-5, and >5-7 days. Recurrence rate and time data were analyzed according to stricture location, etiology, age, and catheterization time. Results: The recurrence rate was significantly higher in endoscopic procedures. Recurrence rate was significantly lower and recurrence time was significantly earlier in penile urethral strictures. Recurrence rate was significantly lower and recurrence time was significantly longer in short catheterized group than in the other two groups. However, first recurrence time was not different between the groups, while second and multiple recurrence times were significantly earlier in patients <60 years old.Conclusion: Patients are exposed to multiple operations as a result of frequently recurring urethral strictures. Although DVIU is an important first-line treatment method for strictures, alternative methods should be considered for frequently recurring cases.

Epidemiology and impact of urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and other lower urinary tract symptoms: results of the EPIC survey in Russia, Czech Republic, and Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI), overactive bladder (OAB), and other lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in the Czech Republic, Russia, and Turkey. METHODS: Stage one of this population-based survey consisted of computer-assisted telephone interviews to obtain prevalence estimates of storage, voiding, and post-micturition LUTS. Stage two face-to-face interviews evaluated subjects with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI), stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or OAB (case group) and a control group (subjects with other incontinence or LUTS complaints, or no symptoms). OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence of LUTS categories were determined for each country based on International Continence Society (ICS) criteria. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 3130 individuals agreed to participate in the survey, which found high rates of LUTS (men 80%; women 84%) and OAB (men 18%; women 28%). Duration of urinary symptoms was relatively brief (approximately 60% ≤ 3 years) and was associated with relatively modest effects on quality of life and work performance in the majority of individuals. Forty percent had consulted with a healthcare provider about their urinary symptoms, of whom 37% had consulted with a physician and 34% with an urologist, and 12% had been treated with a prescription medication. Drug therapy, while uncommon, was associated with a high degree of self-reported improvement (96%). Because of between-country population differences, aggregate results may not always be representative of results for each of the three countries individually. Study limitations include reliance on patient self-report, and potential bias introduced by patients who declined to participate in the survey. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this epidemiologic survey found high rates of LUTS and OAB, but low levels of medical consultation and very low use of medication treatment, despite high levels of improvement when medications were used.

Management of lower urinary tract dysfunction in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and Turkish consensus report.

AIMS: Since lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) related to multiple sclerosis (MS) has a different behavior pattern than other types of neurogenic voiding dysfunction, we aimed to prepare a national consensus report for the management of LUTD due to multiple sclerosis in light of available literature. METHODS: A search of available databases yielded an evidence base of 125 articles after the application of inclusion/exclusion criteria. When sufficient evidence existed, recommendations A (high), B (moderate), or C (low) were made according to the strength of evidence; recommendation D was provided when insufficient evidence existed. RESULTS: Available data did not support the use of invasive urodynamics in the initial evaluation of patients with MS and LUTD. Clinical studies on the safety and efficacy of antimuscarinics and alpha-blockers in these patients were scarce and low quality. Desmopressin could be used in MS-related overactive bladder symptoms owing to its short-term effects as an adjunctive treatment. Intravesical botulinum toxin type A treatment in patients with MS and detrusor overactivity was recommended in cases of medical treatment failure or severe side effects due to antimuscarinics. Pelvic floor rehabilitation together with neuromuscular electrical stimulation was also recommended as it increased symptomatic treatment success. This systematic review was not able to find any evidence-based cut off post-void residual value for the recommendation to start clean intermittent catheterization in MS-related LUTD. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MS and LUTD could be best managed through the use of this consensus report.

The effect of testosterone treatment on urodynamic findings and histopathomorphology of pelvic floor muscles in female rats with experimentally induced stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: In recent studies, it has been observed that androgen receptors are densely located in pelvic floor muscles. We aimed to investigate the effect of testosterone on urodynamic findings and histopathomorphology of pelvic floor muscles in rats with experimentally induced stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight adult female rats were randomized into four groups. Group I: rats in which SUI was induced and single-dose testosterone was administered 30 days later, group II: rats in which SUI was induced and single-dose testosterone was administered within the same session, group III: rats in which SUI was induced and saline was injected intramuscularly 30 days later, and group IV: the sham group. In order to demonstrate objectively the curative and preventive role of testosterone in experimental model of SUI, urodynamic examination and histopathomorphological evaluation of levator ani muscle were performed. RESULTS: Myofiber areas in groups I and II were detected to be significantly larger than those of the control group (P < 0.001). Another parameter was leak point pressure value by urodynamy. Regarding this parameter, LPP values in groups 1, 2 and 4 were observed to be significantly higher than those of group 3 (P < 0.001). The results of the comparison among groups 1, 2 and 4 revealed no significance (P > 0.05), which indicates that testosterone provides continence in a similar way to the group in which sciatic nerve section was not performed. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, it has been demonstrated that testosterone has both preventive and curative effects on rat models of experimental SUI.

Comparative results of shockwave lithotripsy for renal calculi in upper, middle, and lower calices.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To assess the results of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for renal calculi in upper, middle, and lower calices according to the stone burden. PATIENT AND METHODS: A series of 52 female and 66 male patients with a mean age of 47.8 years and isolated single caliceal stones who underwent SWL monotherapy were enrolled. Stone burden, stone location, number of sessions/shockwaves, and auxiliary procedures were noted for each patient. Stones were located in the upper, middle, and lower calices of 35, 43, and 40, patients respectively, with mean stone burdens of 81.4 mm2, 75.2 mm2, and 96.3 mm2, respectively. Patients were evaluated with intravenous urography, plain film, or ultrasonography. Success was determined 3 months after the last session. Re-treatment rates were calculated. The effect of anatomic factors on the success of treatment for lower-caliceal stones also was determined. RESULTS: The mean stone burden, median number of treatment sessions, and mean number of shockwaves were 84.2 mm2, 2, and 4344, respectively. The auxiliary procedure rate was 16.1%, and the re-treatment rate was 71.2%. Failure was noted in 26 patients (22%). The stone-free rates for stones in the upper, middle, and lower calices were 82.8%, 83.4%, and 67.5%, respectively (P = 0.14). The stone-free rates for stones <100 mm2 and 100 to 200 mm2 were 91.2% and 65.5%, respectively (P = 0.001). The efficiency quotient was 49.8, 44.8, and 32.5 for upper-, middle-, and lower-caliceal stones, respectively. Infundibular length (P = 0.006) and infundibular width (P + 0.036) were significant in determining the stone-free rate after treatment of lower-caliceal stones. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend SWL as the first choice for treatment of stones <200 mm2 in the upper and middle calices. Extracorporeal lithotripsy is one of the options for lower-caliceal stones <200 mm2 but has high re-treatment and auxiliary-procedure rates in these cases.