Sleep Related Problems and Urological Symptoms: Testing the Hypothesis of Bidirectionality in a Longitudinal, Population Based Study

Associations of Commonly Used Medications with Urinary Incontinence in a Community Based Sample

To investigate whether circulating levels of sex hormones are associated with urological symptoms, using data from the Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey. BACH used a multistage stratified-cluster approach to randomly sample 5506 adults aged 30-79 years in Boston, MA, USA. Anthropometric measures, lifestyle and psychosocial factors, comorbidities and urological symptoms were obtained using a questionnaire administered by an interviewer. Serum testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and oestradiol (E2) levels were measured, and bioavailable testosterone (BT) was calculated in 1899 men (538 Black, 651 Hispanic and 710 White). Regression analysis was used to investigate the relationships between androgen levels and American Urological Association symptom index (AUA-SI), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) (> or = 8 on the AUA-SI), urinary incontinence (UI), dribble and hesitancy. Of all subjects, 19% reported LUTS, 6% UI, 9% dribble and 4% hesitancy. Testosterone, BT and DHEAS levels were inversely related to the AUA-SI (P = 0.009, <0.001 and <0.001, respectively); SHBG values and the AUA-SI were positively correlated (P < 0.001). Adjusting for age, BT and DHEAS levels had negative relationships with the AUA-SI; BT and DHEAS levels were negatively related to LUTS and SHBG was positively related to LUTS (both P < 0.001); after age adjustment, only LUTS and DHEAS remained related, and only the relationship between dribble and E2 remained significant; no hormone levels were related to hesitancy. Circulating levels of sex hormones are generally not significant predictors of urological symptoms in men after adjusting for age. The pathophysiology of LUTS is complex and probably includes factors other than circulating sex steroid levels.

Intakes of Vitamins and Minerals in Relation to Urinary Incontinence, Voiding, and Storage Symptoms in Women: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the Boston Area Community Health Survey

Several studies have shown that men with lower urinary tract symptoms are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. All except 1 of these studies were cross-sectional, limiting inferences about whether lower urinary tract symptoms precipitate erectile dysfunction. The association between lower urinary tract symptoms and incident erectile dysfunction was examined prospectively in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Lower urinary tract symptoms were assessed biennially by the American Urological Association symptom index, which captures symptoms of frequency, urgency and force of urinary stream. Severe lower urinary tract symptoms was defined as a symptom score of 20 points or greater and no lower urinary tract symptoms was defined as a score of 7 points or less in men not treated for lower urinary tract symptoms. In 2000 the men were asked to rate erectile function for several periods. Erectile dysfunction was defined as poor or very poor function, or erectile dysfunction medication use, while no erectile dysfunction was defined as very good or good function and no erectile dysfunction medication use. We estimated the RR using Poisson regression, adjusting for age and other potentially confounding factors. We observed 3,953 incident erectile dysfunction cases among 17,086 men. Men with severe lower urinary tract symptoms in 1994 or earlier had a statistically significant 40% higher risk of erectile dysfunction subsequently than men without lower urinary tract symptoms. The risk of erectile dysfunction increased with increasing lower urinary tract symptom severity (p trend <0.0001). The positive association between lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction was stronger in younger than in older men (p interaction = 0.03). This study provides evidence that men with lower urinary tract symptoms are more likely to have erectile dysfunction subsequently.

INTEREXAMINER RELIABILITY OF TRANSRECTAL ULTRASOUND FOR ESTIMATING PROSTATE VOLUME

The Effects of Oxybutynin on Urinary Symptoms in Children with Williams-Beuren Syndrome

Questionnaires to Assess Urinary and Anal Incontinence: Review and Recommendations

Despite a substantial number of epidemiologic studies of urinary incontinence over the past two decades, relatively little is known about urinary incontinence in non-White women or in men. By enrolling White, Black, and Hispanic men and women, the Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey has added to our limited knowledge of incontinence in these groups. In general, the results from BACH, reported in the current issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology (Tennstedt et al., Am J Epidemiol 2008;167:390-399), confirm prior findings in women while extending our knowledge of the prevalence of and risk factors for incontinence in men. Interpretation of the BACH Survey results must be tempered by the low enrollment rate (less than 25% of eligible community members). The associations between cardiovascular disease and incontinence reported for some gender/race-ethnicity subgroups should be considered exploratory.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the association between change in ED status over time and future underlying CVD risk is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between change in ED status and Framingham CVD risk, as well change in Framingham risk. We studied 965 men free of CVD in the Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey, a longitudinal cohort study with three assessments. ED was assessed with the five-item International Index of Erectile Function at BACH I (2002-2005) and BACH II (2007-2010) and classified as no ED/transient ED/persistent ED. CVD risk was assessed with 10-year Framingham CVD risk algorithm at BACH I and BACH III (2010-2012). Linear regression models controlled for baseline age, socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, as well as baseline Framingham risk. Models were also stratified by age (≥/< 50 years). Framingham CVD risk and change in Framingham CVD risk were the main outcome measures. Transient and persistent ED was significantly associated with increased Framingham risk and change in risk over time in univariate and age-adjusted models. In younger men, persistent ED was associated with a Framingham risk that was 1.58 percentage points higher (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11, 3.06) and in older men, a Framingham risk that was 2.54 percentage points higher (95% CI: -1.5, 6.59), compared with those without ED. Change in Framingham risk over time was also associated with transient and persistent ED in men <50 years, but not in older men. Data suggest that even after taking into account other CVD risk factors, transient and persistent ED is associated with Framingham CVD risk and a greater increase in Framingham risk over time, particularly in younger men. Findings further support clinical assessment of CVD risk in men presenting with ED, especially those under 50 years.

Management of Functional Constipation in Children with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Report from the Standardization Committee of the International Children's Continence Society

To examine, in a community-based sample, the use of prescription drugs for lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH), overactive bladder, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and painful bladder syndrome; and to determine whether the use of recommended medications varied by sociodemographics, symptom severity, access to care, and other factors. In a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from 5503 men and women residents participating in the Boston Area Community Health Survey of Boston, MA, urological symptoms were ascertained by in-person interviews conducted during 2002-2005, using validated symptom scales. Medication use in the past 4 weeks was captured using a combination of drug-inventory methods and self-report. Compared to the prevalence of symptoms, the prevalence of use of medications for urological conditions was very low among men and women. The highest prevalence of use was among men with moderate-to-severe LUTS/BPH symptoms, where 9.6% used recommended drugs. Use of medications did not vary consistently by race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status, but was often associated with symptom severity. More frequent and more recent use of medical care was also associated with greater use of urological medications. Only a small proportion of community-dwelling men and women with urological symptoms are receiving recommended effective drug treatments for urological conditions. While not all persons are candidates for drug treatment, our results suggest that there is a substantial unmet need in the general population.

To examine associations between macronutrient and total energy intakes with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women. Cross-sectional analysis of 2060 women aged 30-79 years in the population-based Boston Area Community Health Survey (2002-2005). Data were collected by validated food frequency questionnaire and in-person interviews. Outcomes for multivariate logistic regression were moderate-to-severe total LUTS, storage, voiding, and postmicturition symptoms. Greater total energy intake was positively associated with LUTS, specifically among women with lower waist circumferences (<76 cm, p = .005, p(interaction) = .01). Increased saturated fat intake was associated with postmicturition symptoms (Quintile 5 vs. 1, odds ratio 3.94, 95% confidence interval 1.57-9.89, p(trend) = .04). High protein intake was positively associated with storage symptoms (p(trend) = .03), particularly nocturia. No consistent associations were observed for carbohydrate, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated fat intakes. Among women with low waist circumferences, high total daily calorie intake was associated with moderate-to-severe LUTS. Although greater saturated fat intake was linked to postmicturition symptoms, the possibility that postmicturition symptoms in women represent more extensive or severe conditions should be explored in future research. These novel results indicate that dietary contributors to LUTS in women are distinct from those in men and may depend on symptom subtype and body size.

A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL OF ORAL L-ARGININE FOR TREATMENT OF INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY REDUCES SYMPTOM SCORES AND IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE IN MEN WITH MODERATE AND SEVERE LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS

Association between Smoking, Passive Smoking, and Erectile Dysfunction: Results from the Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey