Re: A review of continuous vs intermittent androgen deprivation therapy: Redefining the gold standard in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Myths, facts and new data on a ?perpetual dispute?

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

Intrauterine device migration to the urinary bladder causing sexual dysfunction: A case report

Background: Intravesical migration represents an uncommon complication of intrauterine device (IUD) insertion. We present the case of an IUD that migrated to the urinary bladder, causing significant sexual complaints. Case report: A 38-year-old woman presented with complaints of gradually evolving dyspareunia and recurrent urinary tract infections during the past 12 months. She reported an IUD insertion 18 months before. Further detailed evaluation revealed disorders in all sexual domains. Imaging and cystoscopy detected the presence of IUD in the urinary bladder. Under anesthesia, the IUD was removed out of the bladder without any complications. In her follow-up evaluation after six months, her sexual function was significantly improved and she had no urinary symptoms. Conclusion: Sexual difficulties in a woman with an IUD should raise the suspicion of device dislodgement or dislocation. © 2016, Lithografia Antoniadis I - Psarras Th G.P. All rights reserved

Optimal bladder diary duration for patients with suprapontine neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction

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

Cefixime versus prulifloxacin as a prophylactic treatment for prostate biopsy: A randomized study

Introduction Urinary tract infections may be a severe complication after prostate biopsy. The aim of our study is to investigate the efficacy of cefixime versus prulifloxacin, as a prophylactic treatment in the era of fluoroquinolone resistance. Material and methods In this prospective randomized trial, patients were allocated into two groups. In Group A, patients received cefixime 400mg p.o./day, while in Group B, prulifoxacin 600 mg p.o./ day, both for three days, starting the day before procedure. Eligible for the study were men with a high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and/or a positive rectal examination. Exclusion criteria were allergy to cefixime or fluoroquinolones, low glomerular filtration rate and drug-resistance to these antibiotics. Patients were followed-up for seven days. Results Finally, 120 patients were divided into 2 groups of 60 patients with a mean age of 68.6 years. A total of 16 (13.3%) men had already undergone another biopsy in the past, while 18 (15%) had received prulifloxacin and 8 (6.67%) cefixime, at least once in the last three months. During follow-up, hospital admission due to a severe urinary tract infection (UTI) was required in 2 of 60 (1.3%) and 1 of 60 (1.67%) patients from Group B and A respectively. The bacterial specimens detected in those urine cultures were resistant to prulifloxacin or cefixime. Among the remaining 117 patients (97.5%), nobody presented with a UTI. Conclusions Prophylactic cefixime could be suggested as effective in preventing severe UTIs after prostate biopsy in the era of high bacterial resistance to fluoroquinolones. © 2020, Polish Urological Association. All rights reserved