Minimally Invasive Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

PurposeTo review and to compare indirectly the outcomes of minimally invasive therapies for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.Materials and MethodsA literature search via Medline and Cochrane Central databases was completed for randomized control studies published between January 2000 to April 2020 for the following therapies: Rezum, Urolift, Aquablation, and prostatic artery embolization (PAE). Data on the following variables were included: International prostate symptom score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate, quality of life, and postvoid residual (PVR). Standard mean differences between treatments were compared through a meta-analysis using transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to assess differences in treatment effect.ResultsThere was no significant difference in outcomes between therapies for IPSS at the 3, 6, and 12-month follow ups. Although outcomes for Rezum were only available out to 3 months, there were no consistently significant differences in outcomes when comparing Aquablation versus PAE versus Rezum. TURP PVR was significantly better than Urolift at 3, 6, and 12 months. No significant differences in minor or major adverse events were noted.ConclusionAlthough significant differences in outcomes were limited, Aquablation and PAE were the most durable at 12 months. PAE has been well studied on multiple randomized control trials with minimal adverse events while Aquablation has limited high quality data and has been associated with bleeding-related complications.     

Stakeholder collaboration in long-term care of older people in Lithuania

Demographic situation, changes in the role of women in society and growing demand for long-term care (LTC) of older people have challenged the ability to meet the growing LTC needs in most developed countries. In countries where responsibility for LTC is still largely laid on families, it is, however, even more critical and calls for improvements in formal LTC systems. More intensive stakeholder collaboration in LTC policy development, organising and delivery are of primary importance in improving LTC systems. Such collaboration, however, is not always successful; thus, it is critical to understand what makes it effective and efficient. In this paper, we specifically look into multistakeholder collaboration in LTC in Lithuania, one of the fastest ageing countries in the EU, with the demand for LTC services growing fast and exceeding the supply despite rising business and NGO engagement. To determine facilitators of such collaboration, we build on the data obtained through eight focus group discussions with all key stakeholder representatives (LTC policymakers, organisers and service providers [public, private and NGOs], 54 participants in total). Our findings indicate that in addition to national and organisational level facilitators studied in prior research, there are important individual level factors, such as meaningfulness at work, concern and care for others, possibility for personal growth and development, satisfaction with supervision, a sense of belonging and role clarity. On the other hand, our results show that collaboration is constrained by a shortage of human resources, increased workload caused by growing LTC demand, bureaucratic requirements, legal restrictions, lack of awareness of LTC service availability among elder persons, and prevailing social norms and attitudes to institutionalised care. Interestingly, a lack of financial resources is not perceived as a major constraint.     

Hirschsprung-associated inflammatory bowel disease: A multicenter study from the APSA Hirschsprung disease interest group

Background/PurposeA small number of Hirschsprung disease (HD) patients develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-like symptoms after pullthrough surgery. The etiology and pathophysiology of Hirschsprung-associated IBD (HD-IBD) remains unknown. This study aims to further characterize HD-IBD, to identify potential risk factors and to evaluate response to treatment in a large group of patients.MethodsRetrospective study of patients diagnosed with IBD after pullthrough surgery between 2000 and 2021 at 17 institutions. Data regarding clinical presentation and course of HD and IBD were reviewed. Effectiveness of medical therapy for IBD was recorded using a Likert scale.ResultsThere were 55 patients (78% male). 50% (n = 28) had long segment disease. Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) was reported in 68% (n = 36). Ten patients (18%) had Trisomy 21. IBD was diagnosed after age 5 in 63% (n = 34). IBD presentation consisted of colonic or small bowel inflammation resembling IBD in 69% (n = 38), unexplained or persistent fistula in 18% (n = 10) and unexplained HAEC >5 years old or unresponsive to standard treatment in 13% (n = 7). Biological agents were the most effective (80%) medications. A third of patients required a surgical procedure for IBD.ConclusionMore than half of the patients were diagnosed with HD-IBD after 5 years old. Long segment disease, HAEC after pull through operation and trisomy 21 may represent risk factors for this condition. Investigation for possible IBD should be considered in children with unexplained fistulae, HAEC beyond the age of 5 or unresponsive to standard therapy, and symptoms suggestive of IBD. Biological agents were the most effective medical treatment.Level of EvidenceLevel 4     

穿刺技术的改进和创新是穴位埋线疗法的第三次飞跃

穴位埋线是长效针灸,是在传统针具和针法基础上建立和发展起来的,是针灸技术的发展和延伸,穴位埋线的核心技术是穿刺技术,穴位埋线的三大要素中,针具、埋藏物、穿刺技巧之间是互相影响、互相促进的。针具的改进成功实现了穴位埋线疗法的第一次飞跃,埋藏物的改进成功实现了穴位埋线疗法的第二次飞跃,穿刺技术的改进和创新是穴位埋线疗法的第三次飞跃。     

良性前列腺增生与前列腺慢性炎症的相关性研究进展

良性前列腺增生（BPH）是老年男性常见的泌尿系统疾病，其发病与前列腺慢性炎症之间存在显著相关。感染因子、尿液返流、代谢综合征、衰老过程和自身免疫应答在内的几种刺激，通过相应分子途径引起前列腺免疫细胞的组织定位和组成成分发生广泛改变，从而导致免疫系统失调，之后引发的组织损伤和缓慢愈合，导致了BPH发生和进展。本文通过总结良性前列腺增生与前列腺慢性炎症的相关性的临床研究结果，前列腺免疫细胞在病理生理机制层面与前两者之间的内在联系，以及抗炎药物对BPH-LUTS的干预作用，以其为BPH-LUTS的药物研发提供参考。     

组织气氛在护士知识与行为间的中介效应:以脑卒中吞咽障碍护理为例

目的探究组织气氛在护士吞咽障碍知识水平与护理行为之间的中介效应。方法2019年6-7月,便利抽样法选取15个省市33所医院及医疗机构神经科、康复科具有吞咽障碍护理经验的231名护士为研究对象采用脑卒中吞咽障碍知识水平问卷、脑卒中吞咽障碍护理行为问卷及团队创新气氛量表对其进行调查。结果护士吞咽障碍知识水平总分为(56.69±13.50)分、护理行为得分为(140.65土32.02)分、组织气氛得分为(157.63±26.56)分。组织气氛与吞咽障碍知识水平(r=0.49,P<0.01)、护理行为(r=0.50,P<0.01)均呈正相关。组织气氛在知识水平和护理行为之间起中介作用,中介效应占总效应的83.18%。结论组织气氛在护士吞咽障碍知识水平与护理行为之间起中介作用,临床管理者可在提升护士吞咽障碍知识水平的基础上,通过提高组织气氛水平推进其护理行为。