Urinary kidney injury molecule-1 levels in renal stone patients

Objective

To study kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) biomarker levels, indicating renal tubular damage, in patients with kidney stones and in those who underwent minimally invasive method stone treatment.

Patients and methods

Sixty patients with renal stones between 10 and 20 mm were included into the present study. Patients who were divided into three cohorts underwent micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy (microperc), retrograde intrarenal stone surgery (RIRS), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). Urine samples were obtained from all participants before, 4 h and 14 days after the procedure. In all the samples obtained, urinary KIM-1 and creatinine (Cr) levels were measured and KIM-1/Cr ratios (ng/mg creatinine) were calculated.

Results

Preoperative urine KIM-1/Cr ratio was higher than postoperative 14th day. The bigger the renal stone size, the higher was the ratio (correlation coefficient 0.353, p = 0.006). According to preferred treatment procedure, there was a statistically significant decrease in preoperative and postoperative 4th hour and 14th day urine KIM-1/Cr rates in the RIRS and PNL, yet none in the microperc group (p = 0.010, p = 0.001, p = 0.212, respectively).

Conclusion

In renal stone patients, the elevated urine KIM-1/Cr ratio levels increase further according to stone size. KIM-1/Cr ratio is a promising marker might be helpful in monitoring the damage created by stone disease.

     

A combination of SOFA score and biomarkers gives a better prediction of septic AKI and in-hospital mortality in critically ill surgical patients: a pilot study

Background

Sepsis is a syndrome characterized by a constellation of clinical manifestations and a significantly high mortality rate in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU). It is frequently complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI), which, in turn, increases the risk of mortality. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to identify those septic patients at risk for the development of AKI and mortality. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate several different biomarkers, including NGAL, calprotectin, KIM-1, cystatin C, and GDF-15, along with SOFA scores, in predicting the development of septic AKI and associated in-hospital mortality in critically ill surgical patients.

Methods

Patients admitted to the surgical ICU were prospectively enrolled, having given signed informed consent. Their blood and urine samples were obtained and subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the levels of various novel biomarkers. The clinical data and survival outcome were recorded and analyzed.

Results

A total of 33 patients were enrolled in the study. Most patients received surgery prior to ICU admission, with abdominal surgery being the most common type of procedure (27 patients (81.8%)). In the study, 22 patients had a diagnosis of sepsis with varying degrees of AKI, while the remaining 11 were free of sepsis. Statistical analysis demonstrated that in patients with septic AKI versus those without, the following were significantly higher: serum NGAL (447.5?±?35.7 ng/mL vs. 256.5?±?31.8 ng/mL, P value 0.001), calprotectin (1030.3?±?298.6 pg/mL vs. 248.1?±?210.7 pg/mL, P value 0.049), urinary NGAL (434.2?±?31.5 ng/mL vs. 208.3?±?39.5 ng/mL, P value <?0.001), and SOFA score (11.5?±?1.2 vs. 4.4?±?0.5, P value <?0.001). On the other hand, serum NGAL (428.2?±?32.3 ng/mL vs. 300.4?±?44.3 ng/mL, P value 0.029) and urinary NGAL (422.3?±?33.7 ng/mL vs. 230.8?±?42.2 ng/mL, P value 0.001), together with SOFA scores (10.6?±?1.4 vs. 5.6?±?0.8, P value 0.003), were statistically higher in cases of in-hospital mortality. A combination of serum NGAL, urinary NGAL, and SOFA scores could predict in-hospital mortality with an AUROC of 0.911.

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrated a promising panel that allows an early diagnosis, high sensitivity, and specificity and a prognostic value for septic AKI and in-hospital mortality in surgical ICU. Further study is warranted to validate our findings.

     

NGAL distinguishes steroid sensitivity in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Background

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) is the most common glomerular disorder of childhood. Invasive biopsy remains the diagnostic method of choice for NS. Prognosis correlates with steroid responsiveness, from sensitive (SSNS) to resistant (SRNS). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has been demonstrated to be a powerful risk marker of chronic kidney disease progression. We set out to determine if urine NGAL can distinguish between patients with SRNS, SSNS, and healthy controls.

Methods

Urine and clinical data were collected from patients at Cincinnati Children's Hospital who were recently diagnosed with active nephrotic syndrome as well as healthy controls. Participants included SRNS (n?=?15), SSNS (n?=?14), and healthy controls (n?=?10). Urinary NGAL was measured by ELISA and normalized to creatinine.

Results

Median NGAL was significantly (p?p?r?=??0.5, p?

Conclusions

NGAL levels differentiate SSNS from SRNS and correlate with disease severity in SRNS.

     

Novel urinary tubular injury markers reveal an evidence of underlying kidney injury in children with reduced left ventricular systolic function: a pilot study

Background

Evolving data suggest tubular injury markers (TIM) to be diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of kidney injury in adults with chronic cardiac dysfunction. Such data are not well delineated in asymptomatic children with cardiomyopathy. This study sought to evaluate kidney involvement in children with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional case–control study in 61 asymptomatic children (aged 1.7–21.9 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF)?<?55 %. Routine conventional kidney function markers and the following urinary TIM were measured: KIM-1, IL-18, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and L-FABP. Characteristics and TIM data of cases were compared with those of 61 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

Results

Children with DCM had higher TIM concentrations compared with controls for IL-18 (28.2 pg/mg, IQR [15.9–42.5] vs19.0 [12.6–28.6], p?<?0.001), NGAL (13.2 ng/mg [6.5–44.3] vs 8.3 [3.1–17.5], p?=?0.01), and KIM-1 (386 pg/mg (248–597) vs 307 [182–432], p?=?0.02). All conventional kidney function markers were within normal limits in the DCM cohort. A combined model using cut-off values of KIM-1?≥?235, IL-18?≥?17.5, and (BNP)?>?15 pg/ml resulted in distinction between patients with mildly depressed LV (55?>?LVEF?≥?45) and those with LVEF?<?45 %. The sensitivity of this model was ≥80 % when any of the cut-off values was met and specificity 83 % when all cut-off values were met.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that asymptomatic children with LVEF?<?55 % might have subclinical kidney injury that cannot be detected with conventional kidney function markers. TIM in conjunction with other cardiac function markers may be utilized to distinguish asymptomatic children with DCM and moderate or worse LV dysfunction (LFEV?<?45 %) from those with mild LV dysfunction (55?>?LVEF?≥?45 %).

     

Efficacy of urinary midkine as a biomarker in patients with acute kidney injury

Background

The mortality and morbidity associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) remains high, despite advances in interventions. A multifunctional heparin-binding growth factor, midkine (MK), is involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic kidney injury. However, the clinical relevance of MK has not yet been elucidated. The present study investigated whether urinary MK can serve as a novel biomarker of AKI.

Methods

We initially compared the predictive value of MK with other urinary biomarkers, including N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), interleukin (IL)-18, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), for the detection and differential diagnosis of established AKI (549 patients). Subsequently, the reliability of MK for the early detection of AKI was prospectively evaluated in 40 patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. Urine samples were obtained at baseline, the period of aortic cross-clamping and declamping, the end of the surgery, and on post-operative day 1.

Results

The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the diagnosis of AKI in various kidney diseases were 0.88, 0.70, 0.72, and 0.84 for MK, NAG, IL-18, and NGAL, respectively. When the optimal cutoff value of urinary MK was set at 11.5 pg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.87 and 0.85, respectively. In the second study, urinary MK peaked at the period of aortic declamping, about 1 h after cross-clamping in patients with AKI. Interestingly, the rise of MK in AKI patients was very precipitous compared with other biomarker candidates.

Conclusion

Urinary MK was prominent in its ability to detect AKI and may allow the start of preemptive medication.

     

Serum NGAL and copeptin levels as predictors of acute kidney injury in asphyxiated neonates

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most common complication of perinatal asphyxia. Recent research indicates that serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an early marker for AKI, but there are the lacks of data about its use in term neonates with perinatal asphyxia.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted on 43 term neonates. Umbilical cord blood and 24 h after birth serum NGAL, copeptin, creatinine, and molality were measured in all asphyxiated and controls neonates.

Results

During the study period, 8 of asphyxiated nenates (18.6 %) suffered from AKI, while 35 newborns have no signs of AKI and 30 healthy infants. We did not observe any differences in creatinine and copeptin levels, as well as serum osmolality in all three investigated groups (AKI, no-AKI, and controls) in cord blood, and 24 h after birth. Serum NGAL levels in umbilical cord blood were significantly higher in the AKI group (174.3 ng/mL) compared with no-AKI (88.5 ng/mL, p = 0.01) and control groups (28.5 ng/mL, p < 0.001), and 24 h after birth (respectively, AKI 152.5 ng/mL vs no-AKI 74.9 ng/mL, p = 0.02 vs controls 39.1 ng/mL, p < 0.001). NGAL concentration showed a strong negative correlation to umbilical artery pH (Rho = ?0.42, p = 0.04), base excess (Rho = ?0.31, p = 0.03), and Apgar score in 1st min (Rho = ?0.41, p = 0.02) and 5th min of life (Rho = ?0.20, p = 0.001). ROC curve analysis demonstrated a good predictive value for NGAL levels (>140.7 ng/mL) which allows to diagnose AKI in asphyxiated patients with 88.9 % sensitivity (95 % CI 75–95 %) and 95.0 % specificity (95 % CI 76–99 %).

Conclusion

NGAL seems to be a promising marker, even in subclinical AKI in neonates, due to its high specificity, but copeptin did not meet expectations.

     

Clinical significance of urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein as a predictor of ESRD and CVD in patients with CKD

Background

To improve outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), it is important to identify prognostic factors for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study assessed urinary concentrations of albumin, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), as predictors of ESRD and CVD.

Methods

A prospective, observational, multicenter study, comprising 244 Japanese outpatients with CKD who had a follow-up period of at least 3 months. The primary endpoint was the first onset of a nonfatal or fatal CVD event and progression to ESRD, defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, or artery revascularization (coronary, carotid or peripheral), and initiation of dialysis.

Results

During a median follow-up of 3.8 years, the primary endpoint occurred in 39 (15.8 %) patients. Irrespective of diabetes, high urinary L-FABP correlated with the development of ESRD and CVD. The areas under the receiver-operator characteristic curves (AUCs) for predicting the primary endpoint for urinary concentrations of L-FABP, albumin, and NAG were 0.825, 0.797, and 0.722, respectively. Cox regression analyses, which were adjusted for factors known to influence the primary endpoint, including patient characteristics, and serum and urinary parameters, demonstrated that the primary outcome was associated with high urinary L-FABP and low eGFR [p = 0.049, hazard ratio = 1.341 (95 % CI 1.005–1.790); and p < 0.000, hazard ratio = 0.953 (95 % CI 0.930–0.976), respectively].

Conclusions

Urinary L-FABP may be a useful prognostic marker of progression to ESRD and the onset of CVD in patients with CKD.

     

Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is associated with iron status in anemic patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease

Background

Iron deficiency anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a biomarker of acute kidney injury, is known to be associated with iron metabolism. We investigated whether plasma NGAL level is associated with iron status in pre-dialysis CKD patients with anemia.

Methods

This study included 419 patients who had anemia. The subjects were into categorized into a pre-dialysis group (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 ml/min/1.73 m², n = 288) and a non-CKD group (eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m², n = 131). The associations between plasma NGAL and iron status (serum ferritin and transferrin saturation [TSAT]), eGFR, albumin, uric acid, total cholesterol, calcium, phosphate, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed.

Results

In non-CKD group, plasma NGAL was not associated with any baseline variables including iron indices (TSAT and serum ferritin). In pre-dialysis group, univariate analysis showed plasma NGAL correlated with eGFR, CRP, TSAT, and serum ferritin. In multivariate analysis, plasma NGAL was independently associated with TSAT. However, serum ferritin lost its association with plasma NGAL. In ROC analysis for identifying iron deficiency, the plasma NGAL (best cut-off value ≤394 ng/ml) was superior to the serum ferritin (suggested cut-off value ≤500 ng/ml) in both sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions

Plasma NGAL is associated with iron status in anemic patients with pre-dialysis CKD. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the role of plasma NGAL in assessing the iron deficiency and in guiding the iron therapy for pre-dialysis CKD patients.

     

Longitudinal patterns of urine biomarkers in infants across gestational ages

Background

Urinary biomarkers may be indicators of acute kidney injury (AKI), although little is known of their developmental characteristics in healthy neonates across a full range of gestational age (GA). The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of urinary biomarkers across GA groups from birth to 3 months of age.

Methods

Fifty-two infants ranging from 24 to 41 weeks’ GA had urine assayed from birth through 3 months of age for 7 biomarkers including albumin (ALB), beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), cystatin-C (CysC), epidermal growth factor (EGF), neutrophil-gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), osteopontin (OPN), and uromodulin (UMOD).

Results

Of the seven urinary biomarkers, EGF and UMOD increased while others decreased with advancing GA. By 3 months of age, EGF and UMOD had increased in preterm infants to levels similar to those of term infants. UMOD/ml and EGF/ml appeared to be predominantly developmental biomarkers distinguishing estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <30 ml/min/1.73 m² with receiver operator characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) of 0.82; p?=?0.002. When factored by urine creatinine CysC/cr?+?ALB/cr were the most significant functional markers with AUC?=?0.79; p?=?0.004; sensitivity 96 %; specificity 58 %.

Conclusions

Among healthy neonates, urinary biomarkers vary with GA. These data support the use of urinary biomarkers in the assessment of normal kidney development in the absence of injury.

     

Urinary markers in the early stage of nephropathy in patients with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of a urinary tubular marker, liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) and an inflammatory marker, serum/urinary YKL-40, with albuminuria in patients with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods

Twenty-nine patients with childhood-onset T1D and 32 controls were enrolled. Serum and urinary concentrations of YKL-40 and urinary concentrations of L-FABP were measured.

Results

The serum levels of YKL-40 were not significantly different between the control group and the patient groups. However, the levels of urinary YKL-40/creatinine (Cr) were higher in the patients, even those with normoalbuminuria than in the controls (p?<?0.001). The levels of urinary L-FABP/Cr were not different between the control group and the patient groups. However, the level of urinary L-FABP/Cr in the microalbuminuria group was higher than that in the normoalbuminuria group (p?=?0.03). There were no associations between the levels of urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and urinary L-FABP/Cr or YKL-40/Cr. However, the urinary L-FABP/Cr level was significantly correlated with the hemoglobin A1C level (p?=?0.005) and the urinary YKL-40/Cr level (p?=?0.043).

Conclusions

Urinary L-FABP/Cr and YKL-40/Cr may reflect renal injury in early stages of nephropathy in patients with childhood-onset T1D, even in the normoalbuminuric state.

     

The Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Urinary Incontinence in Women

Background

Little is known regarding the effect of bariatric surgery on urinary incontinence.

Methods

Between September 2008 and November 2014, 240 female patients underwent bariatric surgery.

Results

The prevalence of urinary incontinence preoperatively was 45 % (108). Eighty-two (76 %) completed urinary function questionnaires pre-operatively and post-operatively. Fifty-seven (70 %) underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass, twenty-four (29 %) underwent sleeve gastrectomy and one underwent a banding procedure. Thirty-one (38 %) reported leaking on sneezing or coughing—stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Thirteen (16 %) complained of leaking before reaching the toilet—overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). The remaining thirty-eight (46 %) reported mixed symptoms. The mean pre-operative weight and BMI were 133 (18)?kg and 50 (SD?=?6.2)?kg/m² respectively. The mean post-operative BMI drop was 16 (SD?=?5.2)?kg/m². Preoperatively, 61 (75 %) reported moderate to very severe urinary incontinence compared to 30 (37 %) post-operatively (χ ²?=?3.24.67, p?=?0.050). Twenty-seven (33 %) patients reported complete resolution of their urinary incontinence. Fifty-one (62 %) patients required incontinence pads on a daily basis pre-operatively, compared to 35 (43 %) post-operatively (χ ²?=?22.211.6, p?=?0.00). The mean International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire- Urinary Incontinence short form (ICIQ-UI SF) score was 9.3 (SD?=?4.4) pre-operatively compared to 4.9 (SD?=?5.3) post-operatively (t?=?7.2, p?=?0.000). The improvement score post-operatively was 8 (SD?=?3). A significant difference in the ICIQ-UI SF was identified between OAB and SUI groups when adjusting for age, number of children, type of delivery and pre-op BMI (t?=?1.98, p?=?0.05).

Conclusion

Bariatric surgery results in a clinically significant improvement in urinary incontinence. However, this is not proportional to pre-operative BMI, weight loss, age, parity and mode of delivery.

     

Estimation of the 24-h urinary protein excretion based on the estimated urinary creatinine output

Background

The urinary protein/creatinine ratio [Up/Ucr (g/gCr)] has been used in the clinical management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, a discrepancy is often noted between the Up/Ucr and 24-h urinary protein excretion [24hUp (g/day)] in patients with extremes of muscle mass. We examined devised a method for precise estimation of the 24-h urinary protein excretion (E-24hUp) based on estimation of 24-h urinary creatinine output (E-24hCr).

Methods

Three parameters, spot Up/Ucr, 24hUP and E-24hUp (=Up/Ucr × E-24hCr), were determined in 116 adult patients with CKD. The correlations among the groups were analyzed.

Results

There was a significant correlation between the Up/Ucr and 24hUp (p < 0.001). We divided the patients into three groups according to the 24hUp; the low urinary protein group (<1.0 g/day), the intermediate urinary protein group (1.0–3.5 g/day), and the high urinary protein group (>3.5 g/day). There was a significant correlation between the Up/Ucr and 24hUp in the low (p = 0.04) and high urinary protein (p = 0.01) groups, whereas the correlation coefficient was lower in the intermediate urinary protein (p = 0.07) group. Thus, we found a significant correlation between 24hUp and E-24hUp in the study population overall (p < 0.001), in the low (p = 0.01), in the intermediate (p < 0.001), and in the high urinary protein group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We conclude that a poor correlation exists between the Up/Ucr and 24hUp in patients with intermediate urinary protein excretion levels. The recommended parameter for monitoring proteinuria in such patients may be the E-24hUp, which is calculated using the E-24hCr.

     

Comparison of pain management after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with and without epidural analgesia

Purpose

The optimal analgesia following laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) has not been determined; moreover, it has been unclear whether epidural anesthesia has benefits for laparoscopic surgery. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of epidural analgesia after LDG.

Methods

This retrospective study included 84 patients who underwent LDG for gastric cancer. Patients received either combined thoracic epidural and general anesthesia (Epidural group, n = 34) or general anesthesia alone (No epidural group, n = 50). We recorded data on the patients, surgery, postoperative outcomes and anesthesia-related complications.

Results

In the Epidural group, the first day of flatus was significantly earlier (2.21 vs. 2.44 days, p = 0.045) and the number of additional doses of analgesics was significantly lower (2.85 vs. 4.86 doses, p = 0.007) than in the No epidural group. Postoperative urinary retention occurred at a significantly higher rate in the Epidural group (n = 7; 20.6 %) than in the No epidural group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Epidural anesthesia may reduce the need for additional analgesics after LDG, but increases the risk of urinary retention.

     

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form in Greek

Background

Patient-reported outcomes require validation in a particular language and culture before administration for clinical use.

Materials and methods

A systematic translation of the IKDC Subjective Knee Form was initially tested in 30 patients with various knee pathologies to develop the first Greek version (IKDC/SKF-GR). It was then administered to another 80 patients. The test–retest reliability (n = 35) and internal consistency (n = 80) were examined. Construct validity was tested by correlating the IKDC/SKF-GR with the SF-36 subscales (n = 80) and content validity by measuring floor/ceiling effects. Responsiveness was measured in patients with meniscus pathology (n = 24).

Results

Patients filled the form without omissions/questions regarding the phrasing of items. Internal consistency was good (Cronbach’s α = 0.87) and test–retest reliability very good (ICC_2,1 = 0.95, SEM = 4.4 and SDC = 12.2). Correlations with the SF-36 subscales confirmed its construct validity. No floor/ceiling effects were recorded. The effect size was large (ES = 1.26).

Conclusions

The IKDC/SKF-GR has comparable measurement properties to the original form.

Level of evidence

Level II.

     

Healthcare utilization in men with poorer sexual and urinary function recovery following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Purpose

Robotic radical prostatectomy focuses on oncologic cure, urinary continence and sexual function recovery. However, little is known about the effect of declines in urinary continence and sexual function on healthcare utilization. We aim to identify these factors.

Materials and methods

From March 2011 to September 2013, all men undergoing robotic prostatectomy within our healthcare system were enrolled. Men completed the expanded prostate cancer index composite-26 survey at the time of diagnosis and 90 days post-operatively. Patients were stratified according to change in scores in the sexual function and urinary incontinence domains. Patient, treatment and post-op utilization patterns were examined for association with the extent of decline in sexual function and urinary continence. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify factors independently associated with decline in continence and sexual function.

Results

A total of 411 men who completed the baseline survey and at 90 days postoperatively were included. On multivariate linear regression, younger age (p < 0.01), higher preoperative sexual function (< 0.01), single marital status (p = 0.04) and more post-surgery email contacts (p = 0.04) were associated with higher declines in sexual function. For continence, no family history of prostate cancer (p = 0.01), higher baseline continence (p < 0.01) and more post-surgery physical therapy visits (p < 0.01) were associated with higher declines.

Conclusions

Patients with the poorest quality of life outcomes at 90 days post-operatively were more likely to seek care via email and physical therapy encounters related to sexual function and urinary incontinence, respectively. This suggests that maximizing post-treatment quality of life can potentially reduce healthcare utilization.

     

Factors associated with urinary incontinence in middle-aged women: a population-based household survey

Introduction and hypothesis

The objective was to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and factors associated in a sample of Brazilian middle-aged women.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2012 and June 2013 with 749 women. UI was defined as any complaint of involuntary loss of urine. The independent variables were sociodemographic data and health-related habits and problems. Statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-squared test and Poisson regression.

Results

The mean age was 52.5 (±4.4) years. The prevalence of UI was 23.6 %. Of these, 48 (6.4 %) had stress urinary incontinence, 59 (7.8 %) urinary urgency, and 70 (9.5 %) had mixed urinary incontinence. In the final statistical model, self-perception of health as fair/poor/very poor (PR: 1.90; 95 % CI, 1.45–2.49; P?<?0.001), ≥1 vaginal deliveries (PR: 1.84; 95 % CI, 1.35–2.50; P?<?0.001), higher body mass index (PR: 1.04; 95 % CI, 1.02–1.06; P?=?0.001), vaginal dryness (PR: 1.60; 95 % CI, 1.23–2.08; P?=?0.001), current or previous hormone therapy (PR: 1.38; 95 % CI, 1.06–1.81; P?=?0.019), pre-/perimenopause (PR: 1.42; 95 % CI, 1.06–1.91; P?=?0.021), and previous hysterectomy (PR: 1.41; 95 % CI, 1.03–1.92; P?=?0.031) were associated with a greater prevalence of UI. Current or previous use of soy products to treat menopausal symptoms was associated with a lower prevalence of UI (PR: 0.43; 95 % CI, 0.24–0.78; P?=?0.006).

Conclusions

Several factors are associated with UI in middle-aged Brazilian women. The results highlight the importance of carrying out interventions aimed at reducing modifiable factors.

     

Recovery of urinary function after robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy versus radical perineal prostatectomy for early-stage prostate cancer

Introduction

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) has largely replaced open radical prostatectomy in many centers. Radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP) is another less invasive approach that has not been widely adopted. RPP offers excellent exposure of the urinary sphincter and bladder neck that may provide good urinary function outcomes. We evaluate urinary function after RALP and RPP.

Methods

Retrospective review of a prospective radical prostatectomy database was performed. Urinary modules from the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite—Urinary Function (EPIC-UF) questionnaire were used to determine urinary symptoms at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery.

Results

753 men underwent RALP (n?=?623) or RPP (n?=?130). Of these, 558 had complete data and were included in our study (RALP: n?=?458, RPP: n?=?100). A higher number of patients undergoing RALP than RPP had pelvic lymph node dissection (20.2% vs. 0%, p?<?0.0001) and cavernosal neurovascular bundle sparing (79.2% vs. 68.4%, p?<?0.0001). 558 patients had complete EPIC-UF data. Overall urinary recovery was greater for RALP than RPP at 6 months (p?=?0.028). Urinary incontinence and function were also more improved after RALP compared to RPP at 6 months (p?=?0.021, p?=?0.006). However, no differences in overall, urinary incontinence, or urinary function scores were seen at 12, 18, or 24 months. There was no difference between groups in urinary bother or irritative/obstructive symptoms at any time point.

Conclusions

RALP had more rapid recovery of urinary function at 6 months vs. RPP; at 12–24 months, however, RALP and RPP had similar urinary function recovery in all urinary subdomains.

     

Risk factors for recurrence in female urethral diverticulectomy: a retrospective study of 66 patients

Purpose

We aimed to report surgical outcomes in female urethral diverticula and to investigate the risk factors for diverticula recurrence.

Methods

A total of 66 patients underwent urethral diverticulectomies from January 2009 to October 2015 at out institution. Patient and diverticula characteristics were collected. Mean follow-up was 28.8 months (range 4–85 months). Recurrence was defined as requiring a repeat diverticulectomy.

Results

Mean age was 44.9 years. Mean duration of symptoms was 28.1 months. Seven cases had previous urethral surgeries. Mean diverticula size was 2.8 cm. Main clinical symptoms included dribbling (n = 41), vaginal mass (n = 41), dysuria (n = 33), frequency/urgency (n = 29), infection (n = 24), stress urinary incontinence (SUI) (n = 20) and dyspareunia (n = 8). 10 cases had proximal diverticula, 10 cases had multiple diverticula, and 35 cases had horseshoe/circumferential diverticula. Postoperatively, the recurrence rate was 19.7 %. Preoperative SUI disappeared in 14 cases, and de novo SUI was developed in six cases. One case developed urethral stricture, and no cases reported urinary fistula. Among 60 cases with pathological results, neoplastic change was seen in one case (1.7 %). Besides, atypical hyperplasia (n = 2) and metaplasia (n = 3) were observed. Univariate analysis suggested that age, duration, follow-up, diverticula size and diverticula shape were not associated with surgical outcomes. Patients with multiple diverticula (p = 0.032), proximal diverticula (p = 0.042) and those with previous urethral procedures (p = 0.004) were at risk of recurrent diverticula confirmed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

The surgical outcomes of urethral diverticulectomies were acceptable. Multiple diverticula, proximal diverticula and previous urethral surgery were three independent risk factors for recurrent diverticula.

     

Ranula: Current Concept of Pathophysiologic Basis and Surgical Management Options

Background

There is no consensus opinion on a definitive surgical management option for ranulas to curtail recurrence, largely from the existing gap in knowledge on the pathophysiologic basis.

Aim

To highlight the current scientific basis of ranula development that informed the preferred surgical approach.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Public Tertiary Academic Health Institution.

Method

A 7-year 7-month study of ranulas surgically managed at our tertiary health institution was undertaken—June 1, 2008–December 31, 2015—from case files retrieved utilising the ICD-10 version 10 standard codes.

Results

Twelve cases, representing 0.4 and 1.2% of all institutional and ENT operations, respectively, were managed for ranulas with a M:F = 1:1. The ages ranged from 5/12 to 39 years, mean = 18.5 years, and the disease was prevalent in the third decade of life. Main presentation in the under-fives was related to airway and feeding compromise, while in adults, cosmetic facial appearance. Ranulas in adults were plunging (n = 8, 58.3%), left-sided save one with M:F = 2:1. All were unilateral with R:L = 1:2. Treatment included aspiration (n = 2, 16.7%) with 100% recurrence, intra-/extraoral excision of ranula only (n = 4, 33.3%) with recurrence rate of 50% (n = 2, 16.7%), while marsupialisation in children (n = 1, 8.3%) had no recurrence. Similarly, transcervical approach (n = 5, 41.7%) with excision of both the ranula/sublingual salivary gland recorded zero recurrence. Recurrence was the main complication (n = 4, 33.3%).

Conclusion

With the current knowledge on the pathophysiologic basis, extirpation of both the sublingual salivary gland and the ranula by a specialist surgeon is key for a successful outcome.

     

Effects of statin treatment with atorvastatin on urolithiasis-associated urinary metabolic risk factors: an experimental study

Purpose

To investigate whether atorvastatin has favorable effects on urinary metabolic risk factors associated with urolithiasis.

Methods

Sixteen male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, and baseline spot and 24-h urine samples were collected. Distilled water and atorvastatin were administered to rats during 4 weeks in the control and atorvastatin groups, respectively. At the end of the experimental procedure, spot and 24-h urine samples were collected again. Citrate, oxalate, cystine, uric acid, calcium and magnesium levels were determined in 24-h urine samples. Citrate/creatinine, oxalate/creatinine, uric acid/creatinine, calcium/creatinine and magnesium/creatinine ratios were also calculated in spot urine samples. Comparison of the baseline and post-experimental levels of these parameters was made in each group.

Results

The majority of the parameters were similar before and after the experimental procedure in each group. In the atorvastatin group, uric acid and calcium levels were affected. Administration of atorvastatin was significantly decreased the levels of uric acid, whereas increased the levels of calcium (P = 0.025 and P = 0.017, respectively).

Conclusions

Our study revealed that atorvastatin has decreasing effect on U_Ua levels, whereas increasing effect on U_Ca levels. We think it cannot certainly be deduced that atorvastatin could be beneficial on overall urinary metabolic risk factors. Contrarily, atorvastatin may lead to an increased risk of calcium stones, but when considering its U_Ua decreasing effect, it may help in reducing the uric acid stone recurrence.