The aim of the present study was to review major organizational guidelines on the evaluation and management of asymptomatic microscopic haematuria (AMH). We reviewed the haematuria guidelines from: the American Urological Association; the consensus statement by the Canadian Urological Association, Canadian Urologic Oncology Group and Bladder Cancer Canada; the American College of Physicians; the Joint Consensus Statement of the Renal Association and British Association of Urological Surgeons; and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. All guidelines reviewed recommend evaluation for AMH in the absence of potential benign aetiologies, with the evaluation including cystoscopy and upper urinary tract imaging. Existing guidelines vary in their definition of AMH (role of urine dipstick vs urine microscopy), the age threshold for recommending evaluation, and the optimal imaging method (computed tomography vs ultrasonography). Of the reviewed guidelines, none recommended the use of urine cytology or urine markers during the initial AMH evaluation. Patients should have ongoing follow-up after a negative initial AMH evaluation. Significant variation exists among current guidelines for AMH with respect to who should be evaluated and in what manner. Given the patient and health system implications of balancing appropriately focused and effective diagnostic evaluation, AMH represents a valuable future research opportunity.
The nested variant of urothelial carcinoma is associated with a high rate of locally advanced disease at radical cystectomy. However, when stage matched to patients with pure urothelial carcinoma, patients with the nested variant did not have an increased rate of recurrence or adverse survival. Further studies are required to validate these findings and guide the optimal multimodal treatment approach to these patients.
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a symptom complex that includes urinary urgency, frequency, urgency incontinence, and nocturia. It is highly prevalent, affecting up to 12% of the adult population, and can significantly impact quality of life. The diagnosis of OAB is made by history, physical examination, and a urinalysis to rule out underlying infection or other concerning potential etiologies. The need for additional testing is based on the initial evaluation findings, and is recommended in cases of underlying urinary tract infection, microscopic hematuria, obstructive voiding symptoms, and symptoms refractory to previous treatments. Initial management includes behavioral modification with attention to total daily fluid intake, avoidance of bladder irritants, treatment of constipation, weight loss, timed voiding, urge-suppression techniques, and pelvic floor physical therapy. Options for oral medications include antimuscarinic agents and b adrenergic agents, and can be used following or in conjunction with behavioral treatment. For patients refractory to behavioral therapy and oral medications, consideration should be given to referral to a specialist (eg, a urologist or urogynecologist) for discussion of more advanced therapies such as sacral neuromodulation, percutaneous tibial nerve
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