BackgroundIncreasingly, the health and rights of adolescents are being recognized and prioritized on the global agenda. This presents us with a “never-before” opportunity to address adolescent contraception. This is timely, as there are enormous numbers of adolescents who are currently unable to obtain and use contraceptives. From research evidence and programmatic experience, it is clear that we need to do things differently to meet their needs/fulfil their rights.Main bodyIn this commentary, we call for action in several key areas to address adolescents’ persistent inability to obtain and use contraceptives. We must move away from one-size-fits-all approaches, from a ‘condoms-only’ mind set, from separate services for adolescents, from ignoring the appeal of pharmacies and shops, and from one-off-training to make health workers adolescent friendly. Our efforts to expand access to quality contraceptive services to adolescents must be combined with efforts to build their desire and ability to use them, and to do so consistently. In order for these changes to be made, action must be taken on several levels. This includes the formulation of sound national policies and strategies, robust programme implementation with monitoring, regular programmatic reviews, and implementation research. Further, high-quality collection, analysis, and dissemination of data must underlie all of our efforts. As we move ahead, we must also recognize and draw lessons from positive examples of large scale and sustained programmes in countries that have led the way in increasing contraceptive use by adolescents.ConclusionThis unprecedented moment in history gives us a real opportunity to bring about transformational change, particularly when there is so much at stake.
We reviewed the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, treatment options and outcomes of prostatic abscess in the post-antibiotic era, focusing on how patient risk factors and the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms influence management of the condition. A MEDLINE search for "prostate abscess" or "prostatic abscess" was carried out. Prostate abscess is no longer considered a consequence of untreated urinary infection; now, men with prostatic abscess are typically debilitated or immunologically compromised, with >50% of patients having diabetes. In younger men, prostatic abscess can be the initial presentation of such chronic conditions. In older men, prostatic abscess is increasingly a complication of benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate biopsy. Diagnosis is based on a physical examination, leukocytosis, leukocyturia and transrectal ultrasound, with magnetic resonance imaging serving as the preferred confirmatory imaging modality. Treatment of prostatic abscess is changing as a result of the emergence of atypical and drug-resistant organisms, such as extended-spectrum blactamase-producing enterobacteriaceae and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. As many as 75% of infections are resistant to first-generation antibiotics, necessitating aggressive therapy with broad-spectrum parenteral antibiotics, such as third-generation cephalosporins, aztreonam or antibiotic combinations. A total of 80% of patients require early surgical drainage, frequently through a transurethral approach. In the postantibiotic era, prostatic abscess is evolving from an uncommon complication of urinary infection to a consequence of immunodeficiency, growing antibiotic resistance and urological manipulation. This condition, primarily affecting patients with chronic medical conditions rendering them susceptible to atypical, drug-resistant organisms, requires prompt aggressive intervention with contemporary antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage.
ObjectivesTo address challenges in the diagnosis and classification of storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), we sought to define the fundamental features of overactive bladder (OAB) and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), two conditions with considerable symptomatic overlap. Through retrospective comparison of self-reported symptoms in women with a range of clinical presentations and symptom severities, we have attempted to refine the diagnostic features of OAB and IC/BPS and to develop a novel clinical nomogram to improve patient screening and classification. Materials and MethodsWe performed a univariate analysis comparing responses to the female Genitourinary Pain Index (fGUPI), the OAB Questionnaire and O'Leary-Sant Indices (the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index) in an initial cohort of 50 patients with OAB, patients with IC/BPS and control subjects. Only eight questions differed significantly between the IC/BPS and OAB groups; we used five unique questions and three measuring bother to generate a novel composite scoring system and nomogram that included urgency incontinence, bladder pain and symptomatic bother domains to differentiate these populations, which was validated in a second cohort of 150 patients. The addition of a self-reported bother index resulted in the creation of a diagnostic algorithm to identify and classify LUTS clusters across the total population. ResultsWhile all validated questionnaires could distinguish between controls and patients with storage LUTS, no combined symptom scores differed significantly between the IC/BPS and OAB groups. These results are reflective of the prevalence of significant bladder pain (35%) in patients with OAB and the presence of urge incontinence (25%) in patients with IC/BPS. Only the fGUPI pain domain scores differed between patients in the OAB and IC/BPS groups, but it was not accurate enough for diagnostic evaluation (68% accuracy). Our composite scores and nomogram gave a much-improved diagnostic accuracy (94%) and demonstrated utility as a screening tool to identify storage LUTS in patients presenting for unrelated complaints, e.g. microhaematuria. ConclusionsThere is significant overlap of urinary tract symptoms between OAB and IC/BPS. We present a novel algorithm that provides a binary output capable of guiding clinical diagnosis. Future studies aimed at assessing the diagnostic value of novel classification schemes that address symptoms rather than specific diagnoses may improve patient prognosis.
Patients' perspectives of quality of care in FPMRS are weighted heavily toward establishing personal connections with physicians. Accurate diagnosis and effective management of urological conditions, especially after negative experiences with previous providers, were associated with satisfaction of care. It seems that the concept of good bedside manner is multifactorial and requires the provider to demonstrate not one but several different sets of communication skills.
The available reviewed literature suggests no benefit to drinking 8 glasses of water per day in patients without nephrolithiasis. Also, excess fluid intake can exacerbate symptoms of overactive bladder.
Background The impact of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) on female sexual function is not well understood, partly due to difficulties in measurement and evaluation. Aim We sought to assess how women with PFDs respond to sexual function questionnaires through an analysis of survey marginalia, or the comments written in the margins of fixed-choice surveys. Methods 94 women with PFDs completed validated written sexual function questionnaires (Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors survey, Female Sexual Function Index, and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, International Urogynecological Association-Revised). Marginalia, or the additions, eliminations, and changes subjects made (by hand) to survey items, were collected. Data were coded and analyzed qualitatively using grounded theory methodology. Outcomes Themes and emergent concepts related to the content of survey marginalia were the primary outcomes of this study. Results We observed 177 instances of marginalia across all questionnaires. Qualitative analysis revealed 7 preliminary themes and 2 emergent concepts. Preliminary themes included partner-related topics, loss, problems during intercourse, emotional problems, other medical problems, and survey answer choices failing to capture the spectrum of patient experiences. Emergent concepts revealed highly diverse sexual function in this population and a wide range of factors that influence sexual function. Clinical Implications Conducting qualitative studies alongside sexual function questionnaires can allow for a more meaningful assessment of the sexual function of women with various underlying conditions, such as PFDs. Strengths & Limitations This is the first study of its kind to analyze survey marginalia from sexual function questionnaires among women with PFDs. The limitations of this study include the inherently spontaneous nature of marginalia data. In addition, the ways in which study participants responded to sexual function questionnaires in our study may not be reflective of all potential subjects. Conclusion Analysis of survey marginalia from sexual function questionnaires amongst women with PFDs revealed new information regarding patients' histories, concerns, and thoughts. Over half of the women in this study felt the need to expand, explain, or eliminate responses from the questionnaires. Many subjects were no longer sexually active, which accounted for a large majority of participants leaving questions blank or responding with “N/A.” Standard sexual evaluation tools may fail to capture the complexity, spectrum, and depth and breadth of patient experiences.
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