Purpose
Osteoporosis (Op) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are two common disorders showing common pathogenic patterns. This cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate if MetS and its constitutive ...elements are associated to an increased risk of low bone mineral density (BMD) in free-living women examined by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for suspected Op.
Methods
13,182 free-living Caucasian women referring to “COMEGEN” general practitioners cooperative operating in Naples, Italy, performed a contextual evaluation of BMD by DXA and all MetS constitutive elements (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, serum levels of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting glucose) between June 1st 2008 and May 31st 2018. Subjects aged less than 40 years or with signs or symptoms suggestive of secondary Op were excluded from the study.
Results
MetS is associated to an increased risk of low BMD (Odds Ratio 1.19; 95% Confidence Interval 1.08–1.31). Among MetS constitutive elements, hypertension was associated to increased risk of low BMD, whereas high fasting glucose level/diabetes were associated to reduced risk of low BMD.
Conclusions
The significant association between Op and MetS in free-living women examined by DXA for suspected Op suggests the advisability of a contextual evaluation of both disorders in this setting.
Purpose
We have recently demonstrated a significant association between osteoporosis (Op) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Caucasian women examined by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for ...suspected Op. This cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the association between MetS and Op in Caucasian men enrolled in the same geographical area, with identical criteria and in the same time range.
Methods
Among subjects enrolled in the SIMON study, we selected the medical records of all free-living men who performed a contextual evaluation of both bone mineral density (BMD) by DXA and MetS constitutive elements (arterial blood pressure, waist circumference, serum levels of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting glucose). All enrolled subjects refer to “COMEGEN” general practitioners’ cooperative operating in Naples, Southern Italy.
Results
Overall, the medical records of 880 men were examined. No significant association between MetS and Op was observed. Among MetS constitutive elements, waist circumference was inversely related to Op risk.
Conclusion
In Caucasian men examined by DXA for suspected Op, no significant association was observed between Op and MetS. The study results contrast to those observed in women enrolled in the same geographical area, with identical criteria and in the same time range and may be related to sexual dimorphism occurring in clinical expressiveness of both MetS and Op.
The primary goal in the management strategy of a patient with ED would be to determine its etiology and cure it when possible, and not just to treat the symptoms alone. One of the new therapeutic ...strategies is the use of low intensity extracorporeal shockwave (LISW) therapy. The mechanism of shockwave therapy is not completely clear. It is suggested that LISW induces neovascularization and improvement of cavernosal arterial flow which can lead to an improvement of erectile function by releasing NO, VEGF and PCNA.
31 patients between February and June 2013 with mild to severe ED and non-Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors responders were enrolled. Patients underwent four weekly treatment sessions. During each session 3600 shocks at 0.09mJ/ mm2 were given, 900 shocks at each anatomical area (right and left corpus cavernosum, right and left crus). Improvement of the erectile function was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF), the Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) diaries (SEP-Questions 2 and 3) and Global Assessment Questions (GAQ-Q1 and GAQ-Q2).
At 3-month follow-up IIEF-EF scores improved from 16.54±6.35 at baseline to 21.03±6.38. Patients answering 'yes' to the SEP-Q2 elevated from 61% to 89% and from 32% to 62% in the SEP-Q3. A statistically significant improvement was reported to the Global Assessment Questions (GAQ-Q1 and GAQ-Q2).
In conclusion, we can affirm that LISW is a confirmed therapeutic approach to erectile dysfunction that definitely needs more long-term trials to be clarified and further verified.
Introduction. Varicocele is the main cause of infertility in male and the most correctable cause of it too. In this study, we present our experience on 34 patients affected by bilateral varicocele ...and other scrotal comorbidities treated underwent surgery with a scrotal access. Materials and Methods. 34 patients were enrolled with clinical palpable and infraclinical (ultrasonic doppler scanning) bilateral varicocele and other comorbidities like right hydrocele, left hydrocele, bilateral hydrocele, and epididymal cyst. They all underwent scrotal bilateral varicocelectomy under local anesthesia. Results and Discussion. At 6 months, no other complications were reported. No case of testicular atrophy was observed. None had recurrence of varicocele. All scrotal comorbidities were treated as well. Conclusion. Scrotal access with local anesthesia is a safe and useful technique to treat patients with bilateral varicocele and other scrotal comorbidities.
A group of 107 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) participated to the HOUSE Study (Home and Office Uroflowmetry Specific Evaluation). Patients ...received routine investigation, consisting of medical history taking, physical examination including digital rectal examination, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), assessment of symptoms listed both on the International Prostate Symptom Score and on ICS-male questionnaire. We examined the results of uroflowmetry evaluation in this population; data were analysed to observe if any circadian changes of parameters obtained with home uroflowmetry could be detected. We searched a correlation between Q(max), Q(ave) and ICS-benign prostatic hyperplasia symptom score: a significantly inverse correlation was found only for Q(max), confirming Q(max) as a reliable parameter to quantify subjective symptoms. When examining the multiple flow curves recorded in the same patient with home uroflowmetry, voided volume and flow time had usually higher values during night-time: the existence of circadian changes of uroflowmetry parameters in patients with LUTS from BPE was confirmed, and lower values of average and maximum flow rates during sleep hours were recorded in the same patient. In conclusion, when evaluating the natural history or treatment outcome of individual patients or group of patients in clinical trials for evaluation of BPE and LUTS, an assessment including multiple measurements may be useful and of value.
The aim of this study was to construct the fourth in a series of guidelines on the treatment of urolithiasis by the International Alliance of Urolithiasis (IAU) that by providing a clinical framework ...for the metabolic evaluation, prevention, and follow-up of patients with urolithiasis based on the best available published literature. All recommendations were summarized following a systematic review and assessment of the literature in the PubMed database from January 1976 to June 2022. Each generated recommendation was graded using a modified GRADE methodology. Guideline recommendations were developed that addressed the following topics: initial evaluation, metabolic testing, dietary measures, medical management, and follow-up of recurrent stone formers. It was emphasized by the Panel that prevention of new stone formation is as important as the surgical removal of the stones. Although general preventive measures may be effective in reducing stone recurrence rates in some patients, specific medical and dietary management should be well considered and eventually applied in an individualized manner based on the outcomes of metabolic work-up, stone analysis and some certain patient related factors. A detailed follow-up of each case is essential depending on the metabolic activity of each individual patient.
The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial has been mentioned before in the Comment Section, but several questions were raised by the publication of the results of the trial. These are addressed here and ...the trial is described in some detail. This review is a good starting point for people interested in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer to review critically the results of the trial for themselves.
Percutaneous nephrostomy for decompression of an obstructed kidney has become an essential part of urological practice, and nephrostomy tubes are also being used in many other endourological procedures. The authors give their opinion as to what constitutes an ideal nephrostomy tube, and comment on the pros and cons of various different types.
The third mini‐review describes the use of trans‐oceanic telerobotics, and describes the development and current use of their new technology.
Disclosures: This manuscript was an outcome of the European Prostate Cancer Forum, which is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Merck & Co., Inc.