ARTICLE INFO
______________________________________________________________ ______________________Objectives: To review the literature and present new data of continuous androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) vs intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) as therapies for prostate cancer in terms of survival and quality of life and clarify practical issues in the use of IAD.
Materials and Methods:We conducted a systematic search on Medline and Embase databases using "prostatic neoplasm" and "intermittent androgen deprivation" as search terms. We reviewed meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials, reviews, clinical trials and practise guidelines written in English from 2000 and onwards until 01/04/2013. Ten randomized controlled trials were identified. Seven of them published extensive data and results randomizing 4675 patients to IAD versus CAD. Data from the other three randomized trials were limited. Results: Over the last years studies confirmed that IAD is an effective alternative approach to hormonal deprivation providing simultaneously several potential benefits in terms of quality of life and cost effectiveness. Thus, in patients with non metastatic, advanced prostate cancer IAD could be used as standard treatment, while in metastatic prostate cancer IAD role still remains ambiguous. Conclusions: Nowadays, revaluation of the gold standard of ADT in advanced prostate cancer appears essential. Recent data established that IAD should no longer be considered as investigational, since its effectiveness has been proven, especially in patients suffering from non-metastatic advanced prostate cancer.
Introduction
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative neurological disease that usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 50 years. Sexuality issues are important factors that affect the quality of life of patients.
Aim
To determine and evaluate the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in Greek women with MS and correlate it with organic and psychological factors.
Methods
248 consecutive women with MS, aged over 18 who admitted to our outpatient clinics from February 2016 to March 2017 were included in the study. Demographics (age, marital status, menopause status, number of children) and disease-related data such as the duration of the disease, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and medication for MS obtained.
Main Outcome Measure
All participants completed the Greek validated versions of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) questionnaires. Statistics used to estimate the prevalence of FSD and its correlation with organic (age, EDSS, duration of the disease, menopause status) and psychological factors (depression, anxiety, stress).
Results
FSD was diagnosed in 64.5% of our sample. Age was associated with most subscales of the FSFI. There was no significant correlation in FSFI subscales with the disease duration. Correlation of EDSS and FSFI scores was found to be statistically significant with a negative correlation in all subscales apart from the Satisfaction subscale. Regarding the association between DASS domains and FSFI subscales, there were no significant correlations.
Conclusion
FSD is common among Greek women; it is influenced by age, severity of disease, and it is independent of the existence of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Konstantinidis C, Tzitzika M, Bantis A, et al. Female sexual dysfunction among Greek women with multiple sclerosis: Correlations with organic and psychological factors. Sex Med 2019;7:19–25.
Low-penile blood flow predicts MACE in hypertensive patients free of clinical atherosclerosis. This predictive ability is independent of the severity of hypertension and decreased testosterone that is often present in such patients.
Purpose: To present the results and complications of retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsy for treatment of large ureteral stones. Methods: Nineteen patients were treated for ureteral stones ≥15 mm detected in CT or plain KUB film. Endoscopy was performed with either a semirigid or flexible ureteroscope. Stone fragmentation was performed using a 30 W Holmium laser. Results: The mean stone size was 20.7 mm (range 15–30). The mean duration of the operation was 82 min (45–140). Measures to prevent retropulsion of fragments into the kidney were not routinely applied. A subsequent RIRS during the same session was necessary in 2 cases. After a single procedure a stone free state was achieved in 15 cases (78.9%), while 4 others required a second session (ESWL or second ureterolithotripsy, 2 cases each). In only 1 patient, the stone-free state was not achieved after a 1.2 procedure per patient (overall success rate 94.7%). The mean duration of hospitalization was 1.9 days (range 1–5). Three patients experienced postoperative pyelonephritis and 2 others prolonged hematuria. Conclusion: Endoscopic lithotripsy is safe and effective in treating large ureteral stones. After a single endoscopic procedure, approximately 4 out of 5 patients are expected to become stone free. This rate increases to 95% with a second session of lithotripsy.
Our results show for the first time that higher central pressures and AIx are associated with increased risk for a MACE in ED patients without known CV disease. Considering the adverse prognostic role of central hemodynamics on outcomes, the present findings may explain part of the increased CV risk associated with ED.
Purpose:To identify the minimum bladder diary's length required to furnish reliable documentation of LUTS in a specific cohort of patients suffering from neurogenic urinary dysfunction secondary to suprapontine pathology.Materials and Methods:From January 2008 to January 2014, patients suffering from suprapontine pathology and LUTS were requested to prospectively complete a bladder diary form for 7 consecutive days. Micturitions per day, excreta per micturition, urgency and incontinence episodes and voided volume per day were evaluated from the completed diaries.We compared the averaged records of consecutive days (2-6 days) to the total 7 days records for each patient's diary, seeking the minimum diary's length that could provide records comparable to the 7 days average, the reference point in terms of reliability.Results:From 285 subjects, 94 male and 69 female patients enrolled in the study. The records of day 1 were significantly different from the average of the 7 days records in every parameter, showing relatively small correlation and providing insufficient documentation. Correlations gradually increased along the increase in diary's duration. According to our results a 3-day duration bladder diary is efficient and can provide results comparable to a 7 day length for four of our evaluated parameters. Regarding incontinence episodes, 3 days seems inadequate to furnish comparable results, showing a borderline difference.Conclusions:A 3-day diary can be used, as its reliability is efficient regarding number of micturition per day, excreta per micturition, episodes of urgency and voided volume per day.
The Hippo pathway regulates and contributes to several hallmarks of prostate cancer (PCa). Although the elucidation of YAP function in PCa is in its infancy, emerging studies have shed light on the role of aberrant Hippo pathway signaling in PCa development and progression. YAP overexpression and nuclear localization has been linked to poor prognosis and resistance to treatment, highlighting a therapeutic potential that may suggest innovative strategies to treat cancer. This review aimed to summarize available data on the biological function of the dysregulated Hippo pathway in PCa and identify knowledge gaps that need to be addressed for optimizing the development of YAP-targeted treatment strategies in patients likely to benefit.
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