PurposeSystemic inflammatory responses, which are defined in terms of the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), have been reported to be independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes in various human cancers. We assessed the utility of the GPS as a predictor of intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) in upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC).Materials and MethodsWe collected data for 147 UTUC patients with no previous history of bladder cancer who underwent RNU from 2004 to 2012. Associations between perioperative clinicopathological variables and intravesical recurrence were analyzed by using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models.ResultsOverall, 71 of 147 patients (48%) developed intravesical recurrence, including 21 patients (30%) diagnosed with synchronous bladder tumor. In the univariate analysis, performance status, diabetes mellitus (DM), serum albumin, C-reactive protein, GPS, and synchronous bladder tumor were associated with intravesical recurrence. In the multivariate analysis, performance status (hazard ratio [HR], 2.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41-3.85; p=0.001), DM (HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.21-3.41; p=0.007), cortical thinning (HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.08-3.71; p=0.026), and GPS (score of 1: HR, 6.86; 95% CI, 3.69-12.7; p=0.001; score of 2: HR, 5.96; 95% CI, 3.10-11.4; p=0.001) were independent predictors of intravesical recurrence.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the GPS as well as performance status, DM, and cortical thinning are associated with intravesical recurrence after RNU. Thus, more careful follow-up, coupled with postoperative intravesical therapy to avoid bladder recurrence, should be considered in these patients.

The results of our study show that prostate biopsy leads to objective voiding impairment. Therefore, the use of alpha-1 blocker tamsulosin before biopsy in patients without prior BPH medication may decrease this morbidity.

Aims:This study aimed to develop an abbreviated Korean version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to provide a rapid screening tool for female sexual dysfunction (FSD) based on the FSFI-19. Materials and Methods:From the 19 items on the Korean version of the FSFI questionnaire, 5 items representing sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction were selected to make the FSFI-5. We interviewed and administered the FSFI-19 and FSFI-5 questionnaires to healthy volunteer women.Results: A total of 197 subjects were evaluated on two subsequent visits and 89 (45%) were found to have FSD. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the FSFI-5 showed that subjects who scored ≤18 were classified as having FSD. Using the cutoff value of 18, the sensitivity and specificity of the test were 0.917 and 0.921, respectively. The area under the ROC curve of the FSFI-5 was 0.973. Conclusion:The Korean version of FSFI-5 was developed and validated. It may be a useful tool for screening women with female sexual dysfunction.

Objective: Stroke patients may have balance and gait disturbances due to decreased muscle strength and loss of proprioception. Although previous studies have evaluated balance, walking ability, and functional status of stroke patients, studies that quantitatively evaluate these problems and clarify the correlation between each parameter are insufficient. The purpose of this study was to measure the biomechanical gait parameters of subacute stroke patients and investigate their association with balance and function.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients admitted with stroke as the main diagnosis between November 2020 and November 2021. Functional evaluation was performed using the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); balance was evaluated using Berg balance scale (BBS), Trunk Control Test (TCT), and Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS). Quantitative gait parameters were measured using the Zebris gait analysis system. Bilateral hand grip strength, and bilateral knee extension and flexion strength were measured using a dynamometer. The correlation between each evaluation item was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation analysis.Results: Analysis confirmed a strong positive correlation between K-MBI and SPPB, indicators of functional status, and BBS, TIS, and TCT, indicators of balance. Grip, knee extension, and knee flexion strength of the hemiplegic side were positively correlated with overall balance and functional status. The hemiplegic side showed a shorter stance phase and a longer swing phase, and these values showed a significant correlation with functional status. Step length, step time, and gait line length were significantly correlated with balance.Conclusion: It may be helpful to focus on measuring and correcting the center of pressure and stance phase of the hemiplegic side during gait for balance and functional status improvements. Quantitative biomechanical gait analysis may be helpful in assessing balance and functional status in patients with subacute stroke.

Objective: People with stroke may have balance and gait disturbances due to decreased muscle strength and loss of proprioception. Although previous studies have evaluated balance, walking ability, and functional status of people with stroke, studies that quantitatively evaluate these problems and clarify the correlation between each parameter are insufficient. The purpose of this study was to measure the biomechanical gait parameters of subacute stroke patients and investigate their association with balance and function.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients admitted with stroke as the main diagnosis between November 2020 and November 2021. Functional evaluation was performed using the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index and the Short Physical Performance Battery; balance was evaluated using Berg balance scale, Trunk Control Test, and Trunk Impairment Scale. Quantitative gait parameters were measured using the Zebris gait analysis system. Bilateral hand grip strength, and bilateral knee extension and flexion strength were measured using a dynamometer. The correlation between each evaluation item was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation analysis.Results: Analysis confirmed a strong positive correlation between the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index and the Short Physical Performance Battery, indicators of functional status, and Berg balance scale, Trunk Control Test, and Trunk Impairment Scale, indicators of balance. Grip, knee extension, and knee flexion strength of the hemiplegic side were positively correlated with overall balance and functional status. The hemiplegic side showed a shorter stance phase and a longer swing phase, and these values showed a significant correlation with functional status. Step length, step time, and gait line length were significantly correlated with balance.Conclusion: It may be helpful to focus on measuring and correcting the center of pressure and stance phase of the hemiplegic side during gait for balance and functional status improvements. Quantitative biomechanical gait analysis may be helpful in assessing balance and functional status in patients with subacute stroke.