The effect of sildenafil citrate and pentoxifylline combined treatment in the management of erectile dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of sildenafil and pentoxifylline combined therapy in the treatment of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with various degrees and types of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction were included in the study. The patients were recommended to take oral sildenafil (minimum two 50-mg tablets/week) 1 h prior to sexual intercourse for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of washout period, patients were recommended to take combined therapy (minimum two 50-mg tablets/week sildenafil 1 h prior to sexual intercourse and 1.2 g of pentoxifylline/day divided into three doses) for an additional 4-week period. Both treatment regimes were evaluated with the international index of erectile function (IIEF). RESULTS: Mean IIEF score was higher after sildenafil treatment when compared to pre-treatment score (14.2+/-4.3 and 8.6+/-4.2, respectively, P<0.05). Likewise after the combination treatment, mean IIEF score was higher when compared to pre-treatment score (18.1+/-5.2 and 8.6+/-3.8, respectively, P<0.05). The increase in the IIEF score was 5.62+/-2.08 in the sildenafil only group whereas increase in the IIEF score was 9.51+/-3.77 in the combination therapy group. There was a statistically significant increase in the combination group when compared to the sildenafil only group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that use of sildenafil citrate and pentoxifylline combined therapy could be effective in the management of patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.

Prevalence and associated factors of enuresis in Turkish children.

OBJECTIVE: Enuresis, which is frequently diagnosed amongst schoolchildren, is an important psychosocial problem for both parents and children. In the present study we aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of enuresis in Turkish children and to identify common methods for its management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional epidemiological study was performed among primary school children living in Ankara, Turkey. A self-administered questionnaire was prepared for this study and distributed to the parents of 1,500 schoolchildren whom aged 6-12 years. RESULTS: Of the 1,500 questionnaires distributed, 1,339 (89%) were completed. The overall prevalence of nocturnal and diurnal enuresis were 17.5%(n=234) and 1.9% (n=25), respectively. Although male gender, low age, history of enuresis among parents, low educational level of the parents, deep sleep, increased number of siblings, increased number of people sleeping in the child's room, history of enuresis among siblings, poor school performance and history of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) were significantly associated with enuresis, but not with severe enuresis. The percentage of children with enuresis seen by physician for treatment was 17.2%. The most preferred treatment option for enuresis was medications (59.5%), whereas alarm treatment was the least preferred (2.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results with enuresis prevalence and associated factors were comparable to other epidemiologic studies from various countries. Furthermore we demonstrated that families in Turkey do not pay sufficient attention to enuresis and most of enuretic children do not receive professional treatment.

Prevalence and associated factors of enuresis in turkish children

OBJECTIVE: Enuresis, which is frequently diagnosed amongst schoolchildren, is an important psychosocial problem for both parents and children. In the present study we aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of enuresis in Turkish children and to identify common methods for its management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional epidemiological study was performed among primary school children living in Ankara, Turkey. A self-administered questionnaire was prepared for this study and distributed to the parents of 1,500 schoolchildren whom aged 6-12 years. RESULTS: Of the 1,500 questionnaires distributed, 1,339 (89 percent) were completed. The overall prevalence of nocturnal and diurnal enuresis were 17.5 percent (n = 234) and 1.9 percent (n = 25), respectively. Although male gender, low age, history of enuresis among parents, low educational level of the parents, deep sleep, increased number of siblings, increased number of people sleeping in the child's room, history of enuresis among siblings, poor school performance and history of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) were significantly associated with enuresis, but not with severe enuresis. The percentage of children with enuresis seen by physician for treatment was 17.2 percent. The most preferred treatment option for enuresis was medications (59.5 percent), whereas alarm treatment was the least preferred (2.4 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Our results with enuresis prevalence and associated factors were comparable to other epidemiologic studies from various countries. Furthermore we demonstrated that families in Turkey do not pay sufficient attention to enuresis and most of enuretic children do not receive professional treatment.

The correlation between metabolic syndrome and prostatic growth in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and annual prostatic growth rates in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. METHODS: The 78 BPH patients with lower urinary tract symptoms included in this prospective study were divided into two groups according to whether they had a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. This diagnosis was made according to the most recent consensus report of the National Cholesterol Education Program's Third Adult Treatment Panel. Blood pressure, body weight, body height, and waist and hip circumferences were measured. The body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Biochemical analyses including serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), insulin, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were performed. Total prostate (TP) volume and transitional zone (TZ) volume were measured by transrectal ultrasound. Annual TP and TZ growth rates were calculated. RESULTS: BPH patients with metabolic syndrome (first group) had significantly higher median body weight, BMI, serum glucose, serum triglyceride, and PSA levels but lower serum HDL-C level, compared with BPH patients without metabolic syndrome (second group, p<0.05). Median annual TP growth rate (1.0 ml/yr) and median annual TZ growth rate (1.25 ml/yr) were significantly higher in the first group versus the second group (0.64 ml/yr and 0.93 ml/yr, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates a further increase in prostate growth in BPH patients with metabolic syndrome. Future studies are needed to confirm our results and to explain underlying mechanisms.