Clomiphene citrate (CC) is commonly used off‐label for the treatment of male infertility, yet there is limited data to guide patient selection. To identify a subset of patients more likely to benefit from CC, we aimed to define predictors of improvement in semen parameters among men receiving CC. We retrospectively analysed 151 men treated with at least 25 mg CC daily for male infertility and/or hypogonadism at two institutions between 2004 and 2014. Men previously on testosterone were excluded. The primary outcome was change in semen parameters. Variables included baseline patient characteristics, pre‐treatment hormone profiles and pre‐treatment semen analyses. A total of 77 men met inclusion criteria. Median length of therapy was 2.8 months. There was significant improvement in sperm concentration (14–21 million/ml; p = 0.002) and total motile count (TMC; 13–28 million; p = 0.04). One third of patients who began with fewer than 5 million motile spermatozoon improved to a TMC > 5 million, increasing reproductive options to include intrauterine insemination. Patient characteristics, pre‐treatment hormone profile and degree of oligozoospermia did not predict treatment response. While no predictors of improvement were identified, clinically useful response rates are described for use in shared decision‐making.
Although erectile dysfunction is the most common disorder of male sexual health, ejaculatory dysfunction is the most common form of sexual dysfunction experienced by men. Ejaculatory dysfunction covers a broad range of disorders that we have divided into four main categories: premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation (DE)/anorgasmia, unsatisfactory sensation of ejaculation (including painful ejaculation and ejaculatory anhedonia), and absent ejaculate (including retrograde ejaculation and aspermia). We also cover several special scenarios including hematospermia, spinal cord injury and fertility with anejaculation. In this paper, we will review the anatomy and pathophysiology of normal ejaculation to establish the baseline knowledge of how this pathway can go awry. We will then briefly review the critical diagnostic criteria, pertinent steps in evaluation, risk factors, and causes (if known) for each of the ejaculatory disorders. Finally, the bulk of the paper will discuss current management strategies of each disorder.
Introduction: Positioning injuries are a known surgical complication and can result in significant patient morbidity. Studies have shown a small but significant number of neurovascular injuries associated with minimally invasive surgery, due to both patient and case-specific factors. We sought to review the available literature in regards to pathophysiological and practical recommendations. Methods: A literature search was conducted and categorized by level of evidence, with emphasis on prospective studies. The result comprised 14 studies, which were summarized and analyzed with respect to our study objectives. Results: While incidence of positioning injury has been identified in up to one-third of prospective populations, its true prevalence after surgery is likely 2%-5%. The mechanism is thought to be intraneural disruption from stretching or pressure, which results in decreased perfusion. On a larger scale, this vascular compromise can lead to ischemia and rhabdomyolysis. Prevention hinges on addressing patient modifiable factors such as body mass index, judicious positioning with appropriate devices, and intraoperative team awareness consisting of recurrent extremity checks and time management. Conclusion:The risk for positioning injuries is underappreciated. Surgeons who perform minimally invasive surgery should discuss the potential for these complications with their patients, and operative teams should take steps to minimize risk factors. Keywords: positioning, neuropraxia, minimally invasive, robotic-assisted, injury, peripheral neuropathy IntroductionInjury resulting from patient positioning is a known perioperative risk and a significant contributor to patient morbidity. These complications can range from transient peripheral neuropathies to compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. There exists no comprehensive data on the incidence and costs though the American Society of Anesthesiologists Closed Claims study offers a glimpse: peripheral nerve injury, which represents just a subset of positioning injuries, made up 15% of claims across surgical disciplines. Nevertheless, the perception among many surgeons is that positioning injuries are rare events that "don't happen at our institution". This paper attempts to summarize what is known about the problem and offers insight on preventive measures and best practices. MethodsOur goal was to scour the available literature with the following two broad aims. First, we sought to report on the incidence/prevalence of injuries and provide the theorized mechanisms of injury for understanding the pathophysiology. Second, we wanted to provide practical guidance on risk factors and prevention.We initially undertook a literature search of PubMed and Ovid medical databases. The search terms utilized included: positioning, injury, peripheral neuropathy, nerve injury, compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, ischemic optic neuropathy, laparoscopic, robotic, and surgery in varied combinations. The search criteria and selection of articles are depicted in Figure 1.We limited ...
Background Physician-rating websites are being increasingly used by patients to help guide physician choice. As such, an understanding of these websites and factors that influence ratings is valuable to physicians. Objective We sought to perform a comprehensive analysis of online urology ratings information, with a specific focus on the relationship between number of ratings or comments and overall physician rating. Methods We analyzed urologist ratings on the Healthgrades website. The data retrieval focused on physician and staff ratings information. Our analysis included descriptive statistics of physician and staff ratings and correlation analysis between physician or staff performance and overall physician rating. Finally, we performed a best-fit analysis to assess for an association between number of physician ratings and overall rating. Results From a total of 9921 urology profiles analyzed, there were 99,959 ratings and 23,492 comments. Most ratings were either 5 (“excellent”) (67.53%, 67,505/99,959) or 1 (“poor”) (24.22%, 24,218/99,959). All physician and staff performance ratings demonstrated a positive and statistically significant correlation with overall physician rating ( P <.001 for all analyses). Best-fit analysis demonstrated a negative relationship between number of ratings or comments and overall rating until physicians achieved 21 ratings or 6 comments. Thereafter, a positive relationship was seen. Conclusions In our study, a dichotomous rating distribution was seen with more than 90% of ratings being either excellent or poor. A negative relationship between number of ratings or comments and overall rating was initially seen, after which a positive relationship was demonstrated. Combined, these data suggest that physicians can benefit from understanding online ratings and that proactive steps to encourage patient rating submissions may help optimize overall rating.
Importance Overactive bladder (OAB) is prevalent in older adults in whom management is complicated by comorbidities and greater vulnerability to the cognitive effects of antimuscarinic medications.Objectives The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive evidence-based summary of the 2021 State-of-the-Science (SOS) conference and a multidisciplinary expert literature review on OAB and cognitive impairment. Study Design The American Urogynecologic Society and the Pelvic Floor Disorders Research Foundation convened a 3-day collaborative conference. Experts from multidisciplinary fields examined cognitive function, higher neural control of the OAB patient, risk factors for cognitive impairment in older patients, cognitive effects of antimuscarinic medications for OAB treatment, OAB phenotyping, conservative and advanced OAB therapies, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach to person-centered treatment. Translational topics included the blood-brain barrier, purine metabolome, mechanotransduction, and gene therapy for OAB targets. Results Research surrounding OAB treatment efficacy in cognitively impaired individuals is limited. Short-and long-term outcomes regarding antimuscarinic effects on cognition are mixed; however, greater anticholinergic burden and duration of use influence risk. Oxybutynin is most consistently associated with negative cognitive effects in short-term, prospective studies. Although data are limited, beta-adrenergic agonists do not appear to confer the same cognitive risk. Conclusions The 2021 SOS summary report provides a comprehensive review of the fundamental, translational, and clinical research on OAB with emphasis on cognitive impairment risks to antimuscarinic medications. Duration of use and antimuscarinic type, specifically oxybutynin when examining OAB treatments, appears to have the most cognitive impact; however, conclusions are limited by the primarily cognitively intact population studied. Given current evidence, it appears prudent to minimize anticholinergic burden by emphasizing nonantimuscarinic therapeutic regimens in the older population and/or those with cognitive impairment.
Aims: Anticholinergic medications are widely used in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB), as well as for short-term treatment of bladder symptoms following a variety of urologic surgeries. Mounting evidence points to an association between anticholinergic medications and the increased risk of incident dementia. The Society for Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) thus convened a committee of subject experts to contextualize the current understanding of the cognitive risks of anticholinergic medications in the urologic patient population and to provide practical clinical guidance on this subject.Methods: Statements are based on an expert literature review and the committee's opinion. The document has been reviewed and approved by the SUFU board. Results: Chronic use (>3 months) of OAB anticholinergic medications is likely associated with an increased risk of new-onset dementia. Short-term (<4 weeks) use of most OAB anticholinergic medications is likely safe in most individuals. Clinicians should consider potential cognitive risks in all patient populations when prescribing OAB anticholinergics for chronic use. Consideration should be given to progressing to advanced therapy (botulinum toxin or neuromodulation) earlier in the OAB treatment paradigm Conclusions: The current body of literature supports a likely small but significant increased risk of dementia with chronic exposure to OAB anticholinergic medications. Potential harms should be balanced against potential quality of life improvement with treatment.
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