Enhanced purinergic contractile responses and P2X1 receptor expression in detrusor muscle during cycles of hypoxia-glucopenia and reoxygenation.

Bladders from patients with detrusor overactivity have an increased atropine-resistant contractile response to nerve stimulation. The bladder has also been shown to be very susceptible to hypoxia-glucopenia and reperfusion injury, leading to the hypothesis that episodes of hypoxia-glucopenia and reoxygenation result in increased atropine-resistant responses to nerve stimulation in the detrusor muscle. Detrusor muscle strips were suspended in a Perspex organ bath chamber of volume 0.2 ml perfused with Krebs solution at 37°C aerated with 21% O2, 5% CO2 and the balance nitrogen. Hypoxia-glucopenia was induced by switching perfusion to Krebs solution without glucose, gassed with 95% nitrogen and 5% CO2. Atropine-resistant contractile responses increased by 40.5 ± 7.3% after four cycles of hypoxia-glucopenia (10 min) and reoxygenation (1 h), whereas α,ß-methylene ATP-resistant responses did not increase. Expression of P2X1 receptors in the bladder was increased after hypoxia-glucopenia and reoxygenation cycling, and ATP release from stimulated bladder strips during cycling was also increased. Other P2X receptor-mediated mechanisms may also be involved in the augmentation of bladder contraction during hypoxia-glucopenia and reoxygenation cycling, because a non-specific P2X antagonist blocked most of the augmented response, whereas a P2X1-specific antagonist prevented only part of the augmentation of contractile response induced by hypoxia-glucopenia and reoxygenation. In conclusion, four cycles of hypoxia-glucopenia and reoxygenation increased the purinergic, but not the cholinergic, contractile responses to nerve stimulation. Increased P2X1 receptor expression and ATP release may have contributed to the augmentation of contractile response induced by hypoxia-glucopenia and reoxygenation. Purinergic antagonists may, therefore, be a useful therapeutic option for the treatment of overactive bladder with increased purinergic-mediated contractions.

Validation of the Patient Global Impression scales for use in detrusor overactivity: secondary analysis of the RELAX study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess construct validity of the Patient Global Impression scales (Severity [PGI-S], Bother [PGI-B] and Improvement [PGI-I]) for symptoms of detrusor overactivity (DO). DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a randomised trial of onabotulinum toxin A. SETTING: Eight UK urogynaecology departments. POPULATION: A total of 240 women with DO refractory to medical treatment randomised to receive 200 iu onabotulinum toxin A or placebo in the RELAX trial and followed up for 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Urinary diaries and disease-specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaires were completed at baseline and during follow up. Discriminatory ability of the PGI-S, PGI-B and PGI-I scales to identify symptom severity and change in severity was assessed by comparing mean diary and QoL outcomes across the response categories, analysed by one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Data were available from 237 women (98.8%) for validation of PGI-S and PGI-B at baseline, and 192 women (80%) at 6 weeks follow up for validation of PGI-I. Leakage episodes (P = 0.01), urgency episodes (P = 0.019), urgency severity (P = 0.012), and QoL scores (all P < 0.001) were greater in women with more severe problems on PGI-S. Similar results were seen for PGI-B: leakage (P = 0.051), urgency episodes (P < 0.001), urgency severity (P < 0.001), and QoL scores (all P < 0.001). PGI-I responses demonstrated significant relationships with size of change of all variables (P < 0.001). The generic instrument EQ-5D had weaker relationships (PGI-S, P = 0.09; PGI-B, P = 0.004; PGI-I, P = 0.06), suggesting that it was less sensitive. CONCLUSIONS: The PGI scales are robust and valid instruments to assess disease severity, bother and improvement after treatment in women with detrusor overactivity.

Childbirth after pelvic floor surgery: analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics in England, 2002-2008.

OBJECTIVE: To report the numbers of patients having childbirth after pelvic floor surgery in England. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics data. SETTING: Hospital Episode Statistics database. POPULATION: Women, aged 20-44 years, undergoing childbirth after pelvic floor surgery between the years 2002 and 2008. METHODS: Analysis of the Hospital Episode Statistics database using Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys: Classification of Interventions and Procedures, 4th Revision (OPCS-4) code at the four-character level for pelvic floor surgery and delivery, in women aged 20-44 years, between the years 2002 and 2008. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Numbers of women having delivery episodes after previous pelvic floor surgery, and numbers having further pelvic floor surgery after delivery. RESULTS: Six hundred and three women had a delivery episode after previous pelvic floor surgery in the time period 2002-2008. In this group of 603 women, 42 had a further pelvic floor surgery episode following delivery in the same time period. The incidence of repeat surgery episode following delivery was higher in the group delivered vaginally than in those delivered by caesarean (13.6 versus 4.4%; odds ratio, 3.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.87-6.10). CONCLUSIONS: There were 603 women having childbirth after pelvic floor surgery in the time period 2002-2008. The incidence of further pelvic floor surgery after childbirth was lower after caesarean delivery than after vaginal delivery, and this may indicate a protective effect of abdominal delivery.

Classification of episiotomy: towards a standardisation of terminology.

Seven episiotomy incisions are described in the literature, although only midline, mediolateral or lateral episiotomies are commonly used. Recent research has demonstrated variations in both site and direction of the incision, and differences between the angle of incision at the time of crowning of the fetal head and the angle of the scar once the wound has been repaired. We review this evidence and suggest that this variation may undermine the reliability of much published work. We suggest a standardised definition of each type of episiotomy to establish uniformity going forward, so that future studies are amenable to comparison and meta-analysis.

Colposuspension or TVT with anterior repair for urinary incontinence and prolapse: results of and lessons from a pilot randomised patient-preference study (CARPET 1).

In a multicentre randomised, unblinded patient preference pilot trial to assess the feasibility of a definitive randomised trial comparing colposuspension with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) plus anterior repair in women with incontinence and prolapse, we found that 31 of 56 eligible women agreed to participate (55%). Recruitment was more successful face to face (87%) than by letter (16%). Only four of our women agreed to be randomised, 21 (68%) chose anterior repair+TVT and six (19%) chose colposuspension. This study demonstrates the importance of pilot work for complex trials to identify issues likely to adversely affect recruitment.

Continence nurse treatment of women's urinary symptoms.

The aim of this study was to establish how accurately a trained continence nurse could allocate appropriate second-line conservative treatment to women without urodynamic investigations. Depending on the number of patients coming taking up the service, there were between five and 12 nurses operating at any one time. Women aged 40 years and over, of which there were 2421 reporting lover urinary tract symptoms, were randomly allocated to a new nurse-led continence service. Of these women, 450 subsequently underwent urodynamic investigation, before which the nurses documented which second-line conservative treatment would be appropriate. The results showed that of all women with detrusor overactivity, 79.1% were correctly allocated anticholinergic treatment, and 64.8% were allocated pelvic floor exercises (PFE). Of all women with urodynamic stress incontinence, 88.8% were allocated only one treatment. This study showed that a trained continence nurse is able to allocate conservative treatment appropriately to the majority of women without the need for urodynamic investigation. This indicated that the management of urinary dysfunction by a team of trained, dedicated nurses has the potential to reduce waiting lists for urodynamic investigation, avoid unnecessary investigations and achieve greater patient satisfaction.

How doctors record breaking bad news in ovarian cancer.

Revealing the diagnosis of cancer to patients is a key event in their cancer journey. At present, there are no minimal legal recommendations for documenting such consultations. We reviewed the Hospital records of 359 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer in the Mersey Area between 1992 and 1994. We identified the following factors: age, hospital, postcode, surgeon, stage of disease and survival. These were compared to information recorded at the time of the interview such as person present, descriptive words used, prognosis, further treatment and emotional response. In 11.6%, there was no information recorded in the notes. The diagnosis was recorded in 304 (94.7%), prognosis in 66 (20.6%) and collusion with relatives in 33 (10.3%). A total of 42 separate words/phrases were identified relating to diagnosis; cancer was recorded in 60 (19.6%). Collusion was three times as common in the patients over 65 years (17.9 vs 5.7%, P=0.001). There was a reduction in the number of diagnostic words recorded in the patients over 65 years (90.3 vs 98.3%, P=0.002) and by type of surgeon (P=0.001). Information was often poorly recorded in the notes. We have shown that the quality of information varies according to patient age, surgeon and specialty.

Knowledge of female bladder care among medical staff, nurses and midwives: results of a questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine knowledge about bladder care among junior medical staff and allied health professionals, and to examine any difference in knowledge among the subgroups. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using a single-questionnaire survey in a large obstetrics and gynaecology Hospital Trust in an inner city setting, midwives, nurses and medical staff (not consultants) were asked eight questions about different aspects of female bladder physiology and care. The differences in responses among the professional groups were assessed. RESULTS: In all, 120 completed questionnaires were returned (32 doctors, 40 nurses, and 48 midwives). Knowledge was similar on urethral length, bladder capacity, daily fluid intake, ideal size of catheter, catheter balloon size, and the maximum time of use of a short-term catheter. Correct responses for normal daily fluid intake, duration of both short and long-term catheterization were given by fewer than half the respondents. There were significant differences among the professional groups in the correct response rate for long-term catheter duration (P = 0.031) and the normal time interval between voids (P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in the knowledge of all subgroups about bladder care, and poor levels of knowledge in several areas. This is a potentially serious problem for women at risk of bladder complications after gynaecological surgery and childbirth. All staff involved in managing women after childbirth and gynaecological surgery should have formal training in bladder care, to optimize patient care.

Important clinical outcomes in urogynecology: views of patients, nurses and medical staff.

We attempted to grade treatment outcomes in female urinary incontinence by the perceived importance of these outcomes for patients, nursing staff and medical staff. One hundred millimeter visual analog scales (VAS) quantifying the relative importance of five clinical outcomes were sent to 100 patients, 50 nursing staff and 135 medical staff involved in continence care and median VAS scores for each outcome were compared between groups. Subjective improvement and improvement in quality of life were rated most highly. Median scores for subjective cure were 93 (76-99) for nurses, 93 (11-100) for patients and 91 (50-100) for ICS (UK) members. Median quality of life improvement scores were 92 (67-100), 93 (3-100) and 93 (74-100), respectively (not significant). There was a striking concordance of opinion regarding the importance of subjective improvement and improvement in quality of life. We suggest that these should become primary outcome measures in all future clinical trials and audits of incontinence treatments.

Computerised antenatal fetal heart rate recordings between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess computerised fetal heart rate recordings between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation for gestation related differences. DESIGN: Prospective, cross sectional observational study. SETTING: Liverpool Women's Hospital. POPULATION: 112 women: 28 at 27 weeks, 30 at 26 weeks, 27 at 25 weeks and 27 at 24 weeks of gestation, respectively. METHODS: Fetal heart recordings of 60 minutes duration were performed once in each pregnancy using the System 8000 fetal heart rate programme (System 8000, Oxford Sonicaid Ltd, Chichester, UK). For each gestational age, records were analysed for short term variation, basal heart rate, accelerations and time spent in high episodes. RESULTS: The mean short term variation increased with gestation (P = 0.05). No record had a short term variation <4 msecs. There was no relationship between heart rate and increasing gestation. The mean number of accelerations per record increased with increasing gestation (P < 0.01). 20% of recordings showed no accelerations > 15 bpm. The mean duration spent in episodes of high variation increased with gestation (P = 0.05). 13% of recordings showed no time spent in high episodes. All fetuses had normal outcomes at delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Absence of episodes of high variation or absence of accelerations is not an abnormal finding at lower gestations. The standard threshold of 4 msecs for short term variation appears to remain valid at lower gestations. These differences should be considered when using computerised CTG analysis at early gestations.

A urinary control device for management of female stress incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the performance of a silicon urinary control device for nonsurgical management of women with genuine stress incontinence. METHODS: A 3-month prospective study involved 41 women with genuine stress incontinence. They completed urinary diaries of voiding, incontinence, and severity of incontinence on a 4-point scale over a week. Subjects were taught how to apply the device and used it as required from the second week. Visual analogue scales were used to record aspects of use (such as acceptability, comfort, and ease of application), and 2-hour perineal pad tests were completed at recruitment, after 2 weeks, and after 3 months. Data were compared by Mann-Whitney U test, or Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Ten women (24.4%) declined to participate and six (14.6%) withdrew before 2 weeks. Ten (24.4%) failed to attend for 2-week follow-up and 11 (26.8%) did not continue for 3 months. Two (4.9%) did not attend 3-month follow-up. Only two women (4.9%) completed the study. There was no difference in pad test results or in results from voiding diaries. CONCLUSION: The urinary incontinence device had low acceptability and was ineffective, and we cannot recommend it for nonsurgical management of genuine stress incontinence.

Oxybutynin for detrusor instability with adjuvant salivary stimulant pastilles to improve compliance: results of a multicentre, randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that compliance with oxybutynin would be improved if the severity of dry mouth could be reduced, thus leading to improved urinary symptom response and improved outcome, in a randomized, controlled trial of oxybutynin with or without salivary stimulant pastilles in patients with detrusor instability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven women with detrusor instability were randomized to a variable dose regimen of oxybutynin with (37) or without (30) salivary stimulant pastilles for 8 weeks. Patients were asked to complete a baseline voiding diary. In weeks 1 and 2, patients were encouraged to adjust the dose of oxybutynin themselves to achieve optimum symptomatic control. A second diary was completed in the sixth week and patients were reviewed at 8 weeks. The outcome measures were the compliance rate, follow-up attendance rate, maximum dose of medication, changes in voiding and incontinence episodes, and changes in severity of urgency and of dry mouth symptoms between the first and sixth week. RESULTS: Of the 67 women, 32 (47%) completed the study; the proportion completing was the same in both groups. Four patients had stopped the medication and there was no difference in the distribution of maximum dosage achieved between the groups. Both groups reported a reduced severity of urgency symptoms and increased severity of dry mouth. There were no differences in reported symptom change between the groups during the study. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of oxybutynin and salivary stimulant pastilles does not improve compliance or symptom relief compared with oxybutynin alone; it does not allow a greater dose of oxybutynin to be tolerated.

Computerised analysis of fetal heart rate recordings in patients with diabetes mellitus: the Dawes-Redman criteria may not be valid indicators of fetal well-being.

Computerised cardiotocograph analysis has been used in our medical antenatal clinic for women with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus for five years. We had observed that many of the patients failed the computer criteria and wished to examine this finding in more detail. All cardiotocographs from 40 pregnant women with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus who delivered between 1992 and 1995 were reviewed. The number of traces failing the criteria were calculated. Outcome was compared between patients with a normal trace and those with an abnormal trace. 233 recordings were examined. 30.5% of antenatal CTGs failed the criteria because of absent high episodes of variation (a parameter which is a specific marker of fetal well-being). After excluding repeat traces on all patients a sample of 26 traces was examined. 34.6% of these had failed because of absent high episodes of variation. Both these figures are significantly higher than the published normal values. There was no apparent difference in neonatal outcome between women whose trace had failed (9) and those with a normal trace (17). We suggest that the normal values of criteria used to analyse computerised CTGs may not be valid when applied to fetuses of women with diabetes mellitus.