Relevance of Positive Surgical Margins in Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma After Surgical Resection: Predictive Factors and Survival Implications.

INTRODUCTION: The implications of positive surgical margins (PSM) after surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain subject of discussion. This study aimed to identify risk factors for PSM, assess its effect on overall survival (OS), and determine predictors of OS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from RCC surgeries at Mannheim University Medical Center between 2010 and 2023 was analyzed. Propensity score matching balanced PSM and control groups using age, surgical approach, tumor stage, histological subtype, and American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. Logistic and cox regression models predict PSM and OS, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis compared OS of PSM patients and controls. RESULTS: A total of 1066 RCC patients were included. Propensity score matching yielded 32 PSM patients and 96 controls. Multivariable logistic regression identified tumor stage ≥ T3a (odds ratio [OR] = 2.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-6.8, P = .04) and chromophobe, compared to clear cell, RCC (OR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.0-8.7, P = .03) as independent predictors of PSM. Multivariable cox regression found age > 65 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.7-4.2, P < .01) and tumor stage ≥ T3a (HR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.4-3.7, P < .01) to predict shorter OS. Partial vs. radical nephrectomy was associated with improved OS (HR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.3-0.9, P = .02). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no OS difference between PSM patients and controls (P = .49) over a 45-month median follow-up. CONCLUSION: PSM is not a primary determinant of inferior survival, while age and tumor stage play a more prominent role. A well-calibrated follow-up protocol for PSM patients, combining PSM with coinciding factors such as tumor stage, grade, size, or PSM extent, is crucial for adequate surveillance while preventing excessive interventions.

Biophotonics-Intraoperative Guidance During Partial Nephrectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Partial nephrectomy (PN) with intraoperative guidance by biophotonics has the potential to improve surgical outcomes due to higher precision. However, its value remains unclear since high-level evidence is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive analysis of biophotonic techniques used for intraoperative real-time assistance during PN. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We performed a comprehensive database search based on the PICO criteria, including studies published before October 2022. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts followed by full-text screening of eligible studies. For a quantitative analysis, a meta-analysis was conducted. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: In total, 35 studies were identified for the qualitative analysis, including 27 studies on near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging using indocyanine green, four studies on hyperspectral imaging, two studies on folate-targeted molecular imaging, and one study each on optical coherence tomography and 5-aminolevulinic acid. The meta-analysis investigated seven studies on selective arterial clamping using NIRF. There was a significantly shorter warm ischemia time in the NIRF-PN group (mean difference [MD]: -2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.6, -0.1; p = 0.04). No differences were noted regarding transfusions (odds ratio [OR]: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2, 1.7; p = 0.27), positive surgical margins (OR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.2, 2.0; p = 0.46), or major complications (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.1, 1.2; p = 0.08). In the NIRF-PN group, functional results were favorable at short-term follow-up (MD of glomerular filtration rate decline: 7.6; 95% CI: 4.6, 10.5; p < 0.01), but leveled off at long-term follow-up (MD: 7.0; 95% CI: -2.8, 16.9; p = 0.16). Remarkably, these findings were not confirmed by the included randomized controlled trial. CONCLUSIONS: Biophotonics comprises a heterogeneous group of imaging modalities that serve intraoperative decision-making and guidance. Implementation into clinical practice and cost effectiveness are the limitations that should be addressed by future research. PATIENT SUMMARY: We reviewed the application of biophotonics during partial removal of the kidney in patients with kidney cancer. Our results suggest that these techniques support the surgeon in successfully performing the challenging steps of the procedure.

Assessing Adherence to Vaccination, Social Distancing and Other Preventive Behaviors by Patients With Mental Disorders in the Context Of Covid-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review Protocol.

The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a worldwide public health crisis, leading to significant disruptions in societal behaviors and norms. Within the affected population, individuals with mental health disorders are considered a vulnerable group, experiencing higher infection rates and poorer outcomes. These adverse outcomes can be attributed to various factors, including inadequate adherence to vaccination and other preventive measures. To address this issue, this study aims to present the research protocol for a scoping review that will comprehensively examine the literature on the adherence of individuals with mental disorders to preventive behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scoping review will adhere to the methodological guidelines outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute and will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. A comprehensive search for published literature containing original data will be conducted in the Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases. The search strategy will be developed based on the Population, Concept, and Context inclusion criteria. Two authors will independently screen titles, abstracts, and full texts for inclusion and extract relevant data. The findings of the review will be presented using descriptive statistics, including tables, charts, and flow diagrams, to elucidate the key concepts of interest.

Patient Compliance in Assessing Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Measures after Urologic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess patient compliance with a newly established electronic patient-reported outcome measure (ePROM) system after urologic surgery and to identify influencing factors. METHODS: Digital surveys were provided to patients undergoing cystectomy, radical or partial nephrectomy, or transurethral resection of bladder tumor via a newly established ePROM system. Participants received a baseline survey preoperatively and several follow-up surveys postoperatively. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify factors predicting compliance. RESULTS: Of N = 435 eligible patients, n = 338 completed the baseline survey (78.0%). Patients who did not participate were significantly more likely male (p = 0.004) and older than 70 years (p = 0.005). Overall, 206/337 patients (61.3%) completed the survey at 1-month, 167/312 (53.5%) at 3-month, and 142/276 (51.4%) at 6-month follow-up. Lower baseline quality of life (odds ratio: 2.27; p = 0.004) was a significant predictor for dropout at 1-month follow-up. Low educational level was significantly associated with low compliance at 3- (OR: 1.92; p = 0.01) and 6-month follow-up (OR: 2.88; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Acceptable compliance rates can be achieved with ePROMs following urologic surgery. Several factors influence compliance and should be considered when setting-up ePROM surveys.

Perinephric Toxic Fat: Impact on Surgical Complexity, Perioperative Outcome, and Surgical Approach in Partial Nephrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: To assess influencing factors on perinephric toxic fat (high Mayo Adhesive Probability [MAP] score) and the impact of high MAP scores on surgical complexity, perioperative outcome, and surgical approach in patients with localized renal tumors undergoing open (OPN) and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). METHODS: 698 patients were included in this study. Based on preoperative imaging, adherent perinephric fat (APF) was assessed to define MAP scores. Regression analyses assessed influencing parameters for high MAP scores (≥3), predictors of surgical outcome, and influencing factors on surgical approach. RESULTS: OPN was performed in 331 (47%) patients, and 367 (53%) patients underwent RAPN. Male gender (p < 0.001), age ≥65 (p < 0.001), and BMI ≥27.4 kg/m2 (p < 0.001) showed to be significantly influencing factors for the presence of APF. High MAP scores showed to be an influencing factor for a prolonged surgery duration (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.22-2.31, p = 0.002) and a significant predictor to rather undergo OPN than RAPN (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.05-2.15, p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Older, male patients with high BMI scores have a higher risk for APF. The presence of APF increases surgery time and may have an impact on decision making regarding the preferred surgical approach.

Artificial intelligence for renal cancer: From imaging to histology and beyond.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made considerable progress within the last decade and is the subject of contemporary literature. This trend is driven by improved computational abilities and increasing amounts of complex data that allow for new approaches in analysis and interpretation. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has a rising incidence since most tumors are now detected at an earlier stage due to improved imaging. This creates considerable challenges as approximately 10%-17% of kidney tumors are designated as benign in histopathological evaluation; however, certain co-morbid populations (the obese and elderly) have an increased peri-interventional risk. AI offers an alternative solution by helping to optimize precision and guidance for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. The narrative review introduced basic principles and provide a comprehensive overview of current AI techniques for RCC. Currently, AI applications can be found in any aspect of RCC management including diagnostics, perioperative care, pathology, and follow-up. Most commonly applied models include neural networks, random forest, support vector machines, and regression. However, for implementation in daily practice, health care providers need to develop a basic understanding and establish interdisciplinary collaborations in order to standardize datasets, define meaningful endpoints, and unify interpretation.

Subjective assessments of research domain criteria constructs in addiction and compulsive disorders: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs) and disorders due to addictive behaviours (DABs) are prevalent conditions that share behavioural and neurobiological characteristics. The Research Domain Criteria lists a series of constructs whose dysfunctions may be present in both groups of disorders. The present study will describe the research protocol of a scoping review of the literature on self-report scales and questionnaires that tap dysfunctional constructs that underlie OCRDs and DABs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol outlines a scoping review on self-report tools and questionnaires that assess OCRDs and DABs-related constructs. The scoping review will select sources in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO and Web of Science databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria will be designed according to the Population, Concept, Context, Types of source framework. Two reviewers will screen independently titles, abstracts and full texts to determine the eligibility of articles. A methodological framework including six stages steps ((1) identifying a research question; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) study selection; (4) charting the data; (5) collating, summarising and reporting the result) will be used, and the findings will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. Information extracted will be collated, and quantitative results will be presented using descriptive statistics such as percentages, tables, charts and flow diagrams as appropriate. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for conducting this scoping review is not required, as this study will involve secondary analysis of existing literature. The researchers will disseminate the study results via conference presentations and publication in a peer-reviewed journal. SCOPING REVIEW PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/UJ7G5.

Baseline Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) Predicts Radiologic Response and Overall Survival in Metastatic Hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer Treated With Docetaxel Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To assess the baseline inflammatory markers modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and neutrophile-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as pragmatic tools for predicting response to chemohormonal therapy (docetaxel plus ADT) and prognosis in men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Male patients who received docetaxel at a tertiary university care center between 2014 and 2019 were screened for completion of 6 cycles. NLR, SII, mGPS, overall survival (OS), three-year survival, and radiologic response were assessed. Complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and stable disease (SD) were analyzed alone and in combination. RESULTS: Thirty-six mHSPC-patients were included. In thirty patients, baseline mGPS was assessed and was either 0 (n=22) or 2 (n=8). In Cochran-Armitage Trend Test, mGPS showed significant association with the combined radiologic endpoint of "CR, PR, or SD" (p=0.01), three-year survival (p=0.02), and OS (p<0.01). Next to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (HR per 100 units 1.16, 95%CI=1.04-1.30, p<0.01), NLR (HR=1.31, 95%CI=1.03-1.66, p=0.03), and mGPS (2 vs. 0, HR=6.53, 95%CI=1.6-27.0, p<0.01) at baseline showed significant association with OS in univariable cox regression. However, mGPS remained the only independent predictor for OS in multivariable cox regression (p<0.01) and for the combined radiologic endpoint of "CR, PR or SD" (p=0.01) in multivariable logistic regression. SII showed no statistical relevance. CONCLUSION: Baseline mGPS seems to be a pragmatic tool for clinical decision-making in patients with mHSPC in daily routine.

Bladder cancer in patients with neurogenic bladder disorder: a comparative study of different etiologies.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to conduct a comparative study of different etiologies of neurogenic bladder disorders (NBDs) in patients with bladder cancer (BC) regarding patient- and tumor-related parameters and their oncological outcome. METHODS: Out of 98 patients with bladder tumors and neurogenic disease, 23 patients with BC and NBDs from Jan 1, 2010, to Dec 31, 2020, were included. The different etiologies of NBDs were merged in three groups based on the level of the nervous system (NS)-lesion: (i) central (n = 6), (ii) spinal cord (n = 10), and (iii) peripheral lesions (n = 7). RESULTS: Patients with lesions at the spinal cord level were younger at the time of BC diagnosis compared to patients with central or peripheral NS lesions (54 vs. 68 vs. 78 years, p = 0.0219). However, the latency to malignant transformation was more than twice as long (33 vs. 15 years, p = 0.0108). Most tumors were muscle-invasive or locally advanced BCs (62%) and presented lymph node metastases (55%), resulting in a poor mean overall survival of 30.9 ± 3.6 months. No significant differences regarding histopathology, tumor stage, and oncological outcome could be observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with NBDs have a poor prognosis regardless of their etiology or the level of NS lesion. Patients with spinal cord lesions, including congenital NBDs, appear to develop BC at a young age, but compared to other etiologies latency from NBD to BC is longer.

Urinary and Fecal Continence in Adolescent and Adult Patients With Cloacal Exstrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of urinary (UI) and fecal incontinence (FI) and the incontinence-related quality of life (QoL) in adolescent and adult patients with cloacal exstrophy (CE) in Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CE-patients of a tertiary care center and the German support group for anorectal malformations (SoMA e.V.) were included (October 2015 until September 2020). Data were assessed using a composed questionnaire consisting of 18 self-generated questions and two validated German questionnaires (King's health questionnaire, Questionnaire on Quality of Life in Fecal Incontinence (FLQAI)). RESULTS: Out of 23 included patients, 19 had continent and 3 incontinent urinary diversions (UD), 1 was unspecified; 2/23 were on dialysis. 73.7% (14/19) had undergone bladder augmentation, 4/19 had a pouch, 1/19 a neobladder. 94.7% (18/19) had a continent cutaneous channel and performed intermittent self-catheterization. UI was common (71.4%, 15/21). Neither the UD nor the involuntary loss of urine itself had a significant impact on QoL. Comparing the King's health questionnaire results, UI-related QoL of CE-patients was significantly lower than in a published reference group. 78.3% (18/23) had a bowel stoma. 34.8% (8/23) reported involuntary stool-soiling. Neither the way of bowel-emptying nor involuntary stool-soiling itself showed significant influence on FI-related QoL in the FLQAI. FLQAI items showed significant differences only for one of two published reference groups. CONCLUSION: Long-term incontinence rates in adolescent and adult CE-patients are high. Incontinence-related QoL was reduced compared to published reference groups but was minimally influenced by incontinence itself, the type of UD or the way of bowel-emptying, respectively.

Value of Radiomics of Perinephric Fat for Prediction of Intraoperative Complexity in Renal Tumor Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the value of computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics of perinephric fat (PNF) for prediction of surgical complexity. METHODS: Fifty-six patients who underwent renal tumor surgery were included. Radiomic features were extracted from contrast-enhanced CT. Machine learning models using radiomic features, the Mayo Adhesive Probability (MAP) score, and/or clinical variables (age, sex, and body mass index) were compared for the prediction of adherent PNF (APF), the occurrence of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo Classification ≥2), and surgery duration. Discrimination performance was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). In addition, the root mean square error (RMSE) and R2 (fraction of explained variance) were used as additional evaluation metrics. RESULTS: A single feature logit model containing "Wavelet-LHH-transformed GLCM Correlation" achieved the best discrimination (AUC 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75-1.00) and lowest error (RMSE 0.32, 95% CI: 0.20-0.42) at prediction of APF. This model was superior to all other models containing all radiomic features, clinical variables, and/or the MAP score. The performance of uninformative benchmark models for prediction of postoperative complications and surgery duration were not improved by machine learning models. CONCLUSION: Radiomic features derived from PNF may provide valuable information for preoperative risk stratification of patients undergoing renal tumor surgery.

The impact of coronavirus on individuals with problematic hoarding behaviours.

We aimed at investigating the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on individuals with problematic hoarding behaviors. One hundred seventeen subjects with hoarding problems responded to the Coronavirus Stressful and Traumatic Rating Scale (COROTRAS), an instrument that quantified the number of coronavirus-related events, whether they were experienced as stressful, and the range of emotions resulting from them. The research subjects also answered self-report tools to evaluate the severity of hoarding, hoarding beliefs/motivations, social support, self-efficacy, internalized stigma, and other psychopathological symptoms. The number of stressful coronavirus-related events was predicted by lower age at onset of hoarding, decreased social support, greater severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and lower intensity of concerns over memory as drivers of hoarding. Two emotional states experienced in the aftermath of trauma, namely greater helplessness and lower sadness, and higher depression, anxiety and distress, predicted greater severity of hoarding. In conclusion, we were able to find significant associations between hoarding disorder phenotypes and covid-19 related stressful events.

Traumatic and stressful life events in hoarding: the role of loss and deprivation.

Background: Although past research shows hoarding to be associated with stressful life events involving loss and/or deprivation, the temporal relationship between the onset of symptoms and these events is not completely clear. Objectives: In a cross-sectional online study, we examined the relationship between the number of events involving loss or deprivation before/simultaneously vs. after the onset of hoarding and various hoarding-related beliefs, such as emotional attachment to possessions, and symptom severity. Further, we examined whether perceived social support moderated the influence of these events on emotional attachment to objects. Methods: One hundred seventeen subjects with hoarding problems responded to a series of instruments to assess the history and timing of traumatic and stressful loss and/or deprivation in relation to the onset of hoarding, and self-report tools evaluating the severity of hoarding, beliefs/motivations, depression, anxiety, general distress, and perceived social support. Results: The number of events involving loss or deprivation occurring before hoarding was related to increased emotional attachment to possessions, whereas events happening after the onset of hoarding were related to increased concerns about memory as drivers of hoarding symptoms. Events happening before hoarding did not interact with perceived social support to influence emotional attachment to objects. Conclusions: The timing of traumatic and stressful life events related to loss and deprivation is associated with different hoarding phenotypes, including beliefs/motivations for hoarding. If confirmed by longitudinal studies, these findings may be relevant for therapeutic and preventive measures.

Antecedentes: Aunque investigaciones pasadas han mostrado que la acumulación se asocia con eventos vitales estresantes que incluyen pérdidas y/o deprivación, la relación temporal entre el inicio de los síntomas y estos eventos no están completamente claras.Objetivo: En un estudio transversal realizado online, examinamos la relación entre el número de eventos que incluían perdida o deprivación en forma previa/simultánea versus posterior al inicio de la acumulación y variadas creencias relacionadas con la acumulación, tales como el apego emocional a las posesiones y la severidad sintomática. Además, examinamos si es que el apoyo social percibido moderaba la influencia de estos eventos en el apego emocional a los objetos.Métodos: Ciento diecisiete sujetos con problemas de acumulación respondieron a una serie de instrumentos para evaluar la historia y temporalidad de eventos traumáticos y estresantes de pérdida y/o deprivación en relación al inicio de la acumulación, y herramientas de auto-reporte que evaluaban la severidad de la acumulación, motivaciones/creencias, depresión, ansiedad, malestar general, y apoyo social percibido.Resultados: El número de eventos que incluían pérdida o deprivación que ocurrieron antes de la acumulación fueron relacionados con un aumento del apego emocional a las posesiones, mientras que los eventos que ocurrieron posteriores al inicio de la acumulación se relacionaron con una mayor preocupación sobre la memoria como potenciador de los síntomas de acumulación. Los eventos que ocurrieron antes de la acumulación no interactuaron con el apoyo social percibido para influir en el apego emocional a los objetos.Conclusiones: La temporalidad de los eventos vitales traumáticos y estresantes relacionados con la pérdida y la deprivación está asociada con diferentes fenotipos de acumulación, incluyendo las motivaciones/creencias por las cuales se acumula. Si estos hallazgos son confirmados por estudios longitudinales, pueden ser relevantes para medidas terapéuticas y de prevención.

Validation of a German translation of the CARE questionnaire and its implementation as electronic PROM to assess patient-reported postoperative convalescence and recovery after major urological surgery.

PURPOSE: To validate a German translation of the convalescence and recovery evaluation (CARE) as an electronic patient-reported outcome measure (ePROM) and use it to assess recovery after major urological surgery. METHODS: The CARE questionnaire was provided to patients scheduled for major urological surgery preoperatively, at discharge and 6 weeks postoperatively, using an ePROM system. Cronbach's alpha, inter-scale correlations and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to validate the translation. Mixed linear regression models were used to identify factors influencing CARE results, and a multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to determine the predictive value of CARE results on quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: A total of 283 patients undergoing prostatectomy (n = 146, 51%), partial/radical nephrectomy (n = 70, 25%) or cystectomy (n = 67, 24%) responded to the survey. Internal consistency was high (α = 0.649-0.920) and the CFA showed a factor loading > 0.5 in 17/27 items. Significant main effects were found for the time of survey and type of surgery, while a time by type interaction was only found for the gastrointestinal subscale ([Formula: see text] = 30.37, p < 0.0001) and the total CARE score (TCS) ([Formula: see text] = 13.47, p = 0.009) for cystectomy patients, meaning a greater score decrease at discharge and lower level of recovery at follow-up. Complications demonstrated a significant negative effect on the TCS ([Formula: see text] = 8.61, p = 0.014). A high TCS at discharge was an independent predictor of a high QLQ-C30 QoL score at follow-up (OR = 5.26, 95%-CI 1.42-19.37, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: This German translation of the CARE can serve as a valid ePROM to measure recovery and predict QoL after major urological surgery.

Radiomics in Renal Cell Carcinoma-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Radiomics may increase the diagnostic accuracy of medical imaging for localized and metastatic RCC (mRCC). A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Doing so, we comprehensively searched literature databases until May 2020. Studies investigating the diagnostic value of radiomics in differentiation of localized renal tumors and assessment of treatment response to ST in mRCC were included and assessed with respect to their quality using the radiomics quality score (RQS). A total of 113 out of 1098 identified studies met the criteria and were included in qualitative synthesis. Median RQS of all studies was 13.9% (5.0 points, IQR 0.25-7.0 points), and RQS increased over time. Thirty studies were included into the quantitative synthesis: For distinguishing angiomyolipoma, oncocytoma or unspecified benign tumors from RCC, the random effects model showed a log odds ratio (OR) of 2.89 (95%-CI 2.40-3.39, p < 0.001), 3.08 (95%-CI 2.09-4.06, p < 0.001) and 3.57 (95%-CI 2.69-4.45, p < 0.001), respectively. For the general discrimination of benign tumors from RCC log OR was 3.17 (95%-CI 2.73-3.62, p < 0.001). Inhomogeneity of the available studies assessing treatment response in mRCC prevented any meaningful meta-analysis. The application of radiomics seems promising for discrimination of renal tumor dignity. Shared data and open science may assist in improving reproducibility of future studies.

Robotic-Assisted Versus Conventional Open Partial Nephrectomy (Robocop): A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of 249 Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare open partial nephrectomy (OPN) and robotic-assisted PN (RAPN) based on a propensity score-matched sample and to test the Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI) as an end point for complications. METHODS: Patients undergoing PN from 2010 to 2018 at a university care center were included. OPN and RAPN cases were matched in a 2:1 ratio using propensity score-matching with age, gender, BMI, RENAL score, and tumor size as confounders. The primary end point was complications measured with the CCI as continuous score (0-100, 100 indicating death). RESULTS: Data of 570 patients were available. After matching, both cohorts (OPN = 166; RAPN = 83) showed no baseline differences. For the primary end point, CCI, RAPN was superior (RAPN 2.6 ± 7.9 vs. OPN 8.7 ± 13.9; p < 0.001). Additionally, RAPN was superior for length of stay (RAPN 6.5 ± 4.0 vs. OPN 7.4 ± 3.5 days; p < 0.001), hemoglobin drop (RAPN 2.8 ± 1.4 vs. OPN 3.8 ± 1.6 g/dL; p < 0.001), and drop of glomerular filtration rate (RAPN 11.4 ± 14.2 vs. OPN 19.5 ± 14.3 mL/min; p < 0.001). OPN had shorter operating times (RAPN 157 ± 43 vs. OPN 143 ± 45 min; p = 0.014) and less ischemia (RAPN 13% vs. OPN 28%; p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: RAPN provides superior short-term results regarding overall complications without compromising renal function for small and less complex tumors. However, OPN remains an important option for more complex and larger tumors.

Predicting marriage and divorce in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Single (N = 472, 51.7%), married or living in stable cohabitation (N = 375, 41.1%) and divorced or separated (N = 66, 7.2%) patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) were compared in terms of their sociodemographic features, OCD phenotypes, and comorbidity profile. Using single status as a reference group, a multinominal regression analysis found increased age, lower severity of hoarding, increased rates of panic disorder without agoraphobia, and lower rates of dysthymic disorder to be associated with married or stable cohabitation status. Concomitantly, increased age, higher severity of symmetry symptoms, and increased rates of skin picking disorder were found to be associated with divorced status. These findings suggest that there is a relationship between marital status and different OCD phenotypes.

Bladder cancer in patients with spina bifida: a serious risk.

PURPOSE: After bladder augmentation (BA) using bowel segments, it is known that there is a risk for secondary malignancies. It remains unclear whether this also applies to spina bifida (SB) patients without BA. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of bladder cancer (BC) in SB at a single tertiary institution and assess the patients' oncologic outcome. METHODS: Patients with SB and BC treated from January 2016 until March 2020 were included and corresponding data were collected retrospectively. Endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among 132 adult patients with SB, four with a median age of 34.5 years (IQR 31.5-36.8, range 31-37) had a BC. None of the patients had undergone BA. Most common symptoms included recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) (75%) and hydronephrosis (75%). At the time of the diagnosis, tumors were locally advanced (≥ T3) and lymph-node positive in all cases. All patients underwent radical cystectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy in two out of four cases. Histology showed squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) or at least a squamous cell component in all patients. The median PFS was 5.9 months (IQR 5.1-124.5) and the median OS was 8.7 months (IQR 6.3-125.5). CONCLUSIONS: SCC in SB can appear at a young age and is usually diagnosed in an advanced tumor stage with poor prognosis despite radical surgical resection. Patients with SB without BA with clinical symptoms, new onset of hematuria, and/or upper tract dilatation should receive a cystoscopy ± further imaging.

Partial nephrectomy preserves renal function without increasing the risk of complications compared with radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinomas of stages pT2-3a.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the operative and functional result of partial and radical nephrectomy in renal cell carcinomas of stages pT2-3a. METHODS: Consecutive patients with renal cell carcinoma of stages pT2-3a, cN0 and cM0, who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy between January 2005 and October 2019 at a tertiary care center were included. Data were collected retrospectively. End-points included severe postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥3), acute and chronic renal function impairment, and overall survival. Uni- and multivariable outcome analyses were based on logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 158 patients were included (110 radical nephrectomy and 48 partial nephrectomy). Over time, partial nephrectomy was increasingly used. A RENAL score ≥10 was the only independent predictor influencing the surgical approach (radical nephrectomy vs partial nephrectomy, odds ratio 8.62, 95% confidence interval 3.32-22.37, P < 0.001). No significant differences in complications for radical nephrectomy versus partial nephrectomy were found (12.7% vs 8.3%, P = 0.424). Renal function was better preserved in the partial nephrectomy group (the latest chronic kidney disease stage ≥3: radical nephrectomy 73% vs partial nephrectomy 41%, P = 0.005). The surgical approach was a significant factor for chronic kidney disease (odds ratio 51.07, 95% confidence interval 3.57-730.59, P = 0.004). Overall survival did not significantly differ between radical nephrectomy and partial nephrectomy (mean overall survival 85.86 months, 95% confidence interval 3.83-78.36 vs 81.28 months, 95% confidence interval 4.59-72.29, P = 0.702). CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients, partial nephrectomy can be used in large or locally advanced renal cell carcinoma. Compared with radical nephrectomy, it allows better preservation of renal function without harboring an increased risk of severe postoperative complications.