The effect of electroacupuncture applied to women with stress urinary incontinence on urinary incontinence severity and symptoms: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Stress Urinary Incontinence is a condition that impairs the quality of life in women and randomized controlled trials of electroacupuncture for stress urinary incontinence have been conducted. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effect of electroacupuncture on the severity and symptoms of urinary incontinence in women with stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Science Citation Index until November 2023. This study was based on the recommendations of the Cochrane guidelines. Data were analyzed using the Review Manager computer program (Version 5.4). The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the RoB-2 tool. RESULTS: The analysis included 888 women with stress urinary incontinence and three studies. In women with stress urinary incontinence, electroacupuncture intervention improved urinary incontinence severity and quality of life (MD: -2.37, 95% CI: -3.29 to 1.45, Z = 5.07, p < 0.001), urinary leakage (SMD: -0.79, 95% CI: -1.02 to -0.55, Z = 6.60, p = 0.001) and incontinence episode frequency (SMD: -2.24, 95% CI: -4.17 to -0.32, Z = 2.29, p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: In women with stress urinary incontinence, electroacupuncture intervention decreased the severity of urinary incontinence and improved the quality of life. Symptoms related to urinary incontinence were found to decrease urinary leakage and incontinence episode frequency. The studies included in the analysis were determined to be low-risk studies in quality assessment.

The effect of telehealth on incontinence severity given to women with urinary incontinence: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Although urinary incontinence does not cause mortality, it is a global health problem that adversely affects the quality of life and health of women. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the studies investigating the effect of telehealth given to women with urinary incontinence (UI) on the severity of incontinence. METHODS: The literature review for this systematic review was conducted between August-Semptember 2023 using four electronic databases. Y-based articles were scanned using MeSH-based keywords. Randomized Controlled Trials conducted over the last decade were included in the screening. RESULTS: The analysis included six studies involving 826 women with UI. After telehealth intervention, there was a significant difference in UI symptom severity (MD: -2.14 95% CI: -2.67 to -1.62, Z=8.03, p<0.00001) and quality of life (SMD: -2.14 95% CI: -2.67 to -1.62, Z=8.03, p<0.00001) compared to the control groups. It had no effect on sexuality (MD: -4.65 95% CI: -9.60 to 0.30, Z=1.84, p=0.07), and anxiety (SMD: -0.15, 95% CI: -0.38 to 0.08, Z=1.27, p=0.21). CONCLUSION: In this analysis, it was found that telehealth interventions performed on women with UI increased the quality of life while reducing the severity of incontinence in women, but had no effect on sexuality, and anxiety.

Pulmonary function tests, high-resolution computed tomography findings and inflammatory bowel disease.

AIM: The association between inflammatory bowel disease and pulmonary involvement has not been clearly established. The aim of this prospective study was to define the features of pulmonary function tests and high resolution computed tomography in inflammatory bowel disease patients and the relation between these and disease activity. METHOD: Fifty-two patients with inflammatory bowel disease (20 with Crohn's disease and 32 with ulcerative colitis) were enrolled. The standard pulmonary function tests and thorax high resolution computed tomography findings were investigated with respect to inflammatory bowel disease activity. Crohn's disease activity index and the Rachmilewitz endoscopic activity index for ulcerative colitis were used to assess disease activity. Medications used and smoking status were also documented. RESULTS: Among the patients with ulcerative colitis, 6.25% had an obstructive and/or restrictive ventilatory defect compared with 25% of the patients with Crohn's disease. Fifty percent of the patients with ulcerative colitis and 60% of the patients with Crohn's disease showed abnormal findings in high resolution computed tomography. Pulmonary function tests and high resolution computed tomography abnormalities did not differ significantly between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. No significant difference related to inflammatory bowel disease activity was found (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Findings of high resolution computed tomography and the pulmonary function tests did not differ between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Bowel disease activity did not seem to affect these measurements.

The diagnostic value of dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials in lumbosacral disc herniations: a critical approach.

In this study, we examined scalp recorded dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (DSEPs) to electrical stimulation of L4, L5 and S1 dermatomes in 55 patients with proven lumbosacral radiculopathy and in 22 healthy subjects. We did not observe any significant ipsilateral intertrial variations and arithmetic mean side-to-side differences in normal subjects. As for segmental latencies, the dermatomal P40 latencies were directly correlated with height. The regression equations for L4, L5 and S1 dermatomes were as follows: (L4) y = 5.8 + 21.3 (height), (L5) y = -2.09 + 28.04 (height), (S1) y = -13.9 + 36.4 (height). Maximum side-to-side latency differences and maximum P 40 latencies were obtained by adding 2 standard deviations to the arithmetic means. The abnormal latencies for L4, L5 and S1 dermatomes were 48 msec., 52 msec., and 55 msec., respectively. The abnormal side-to-side latency difference were 3 msec. for all dermatomes. DSEPs accurately predicted the lesion only in four patients (7.2%). In 20 patients (36.3%), DSEPs correctly identified the lesion but also gave misleading information on the other levels. DSEP abnormality were on the correct level but opposite side in 5 patients (9%). The findings were normal in 11 patients (20%), and misleading in 15 patients (27.2%). We conclude that the ultimate diagnostic utility of DSEPs in lumbosacral radiculopathies is doubtful and controversial needs further investigations.

Peripheral nerve block with phenol to treat spasticity in spinal cord injured patients.

In this study an attempt was made to treat spinal cord injured patients with severe spasticity by peripheral nerve blocks. Thirty-six patients (5 female, 31 male) ranging in age from 20 to 71 years (mean: 29 +/- 8.2) were treated by phenol injections. A specially designed electrostimulation needle was used for the injections. The results showed that peripheral nerve blocks with phenol solution could be a remedy on a temporary basis, but are not as effective as has been described previously.