Infectious complications of endourological treatment of kidney stones: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Objective: Endourological treatment is associated with a risk of postoperative febrile urinary tract infections and sepsis. The aim of this study was to review the reported rate of infectious complications in relation to the type and modality of the endourologic procedure. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) were searched. Out of 243 articles retrieved we included 49 studies after full-text evaluation. Results: Random-effects meta-analysis demonstrated that retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) were associated with not significantly different odds of getting fever (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 0.99 to 2.39; p = 0.06) or sepsis (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 0.37 to 6.20, p = 0.56). The odds of getting fever were not significantly different for mini PCNL compared to standard PCNL (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.85 to 1.44; p = 0.45) and for tubeless PCNL compared to standard PCNL (OR = 1.34 95% CI: 0.61 to 2.91, p = 0.47). However, the odds for fever after PCNL with suctioning sheath were lower than the corresponding odds for standard PCNL (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.70, p = 0.002). The odds of getting fever after PCNL with perioperative prophylaxis were not different from the corresponding odds after PCNL with perioperative prophylaxis plus a short oral antibiotic course (before or after the procedure) (OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.71 to 2.39, p = 0.38). Conclusions: The type of endourological procedure does not appear to be decisive in the onset of infectious complications, although the prevention of high intrarenal pressure during the procedure could be crucial in defining the risk of infectious complications. on behalf of U-merge Ltd. (Urology for emerging countries), London-Athens-Duba

Efficacy of overactive neurogenic bladder treatment: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Background: Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms of frequency, urgency and urge incontinence are frequently associated with known neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), Parkinson’s disease (PD), stroke. Objective: The aim of our study was to review the efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for neurogenic overactive bladder. Materials and methods: We searched two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) for randomized controlled trials focusing on pharmacological and non-pharmacological medical treatments for overactive bladder symptoms associated with neurological diseases published up to 30 April 2022. Results: A total of 157 articles were retrieved; 94 were selected by title and abstract screening; after removal of 17 duplicates, 77 records were evaluated by full-text examination. Sixty-two studies were finally selected. The articles selected for review focused on the following interventions: anticholinergics (n = 9), mirabegron (n = 5), comparison of different drugs (n = 3), cannabinoids (n = 2), intravesical instillations (n = 3), botulinum toxin (n = 16), transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) (n = 6), acupuncture (n = 2), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS (n = 4), pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) (n = 10), others (n = 2). Anticholinergics were more effective than placebo in decreasing the number of daily voids in patients with PD (mean difference [MD]- 1.16, 95 % CI - 1.80 to - 0.52, 2 trials, 86 patients, p < 0.004), but no significant difference from baseline was found for incontinence episodes and nocturia. Mirabegron was more effective than placebo in increasing the cystometric capacity in patients with MS (mean difference [MD] 89.89 mL, 95 % CI 29.76 to 150.01, 2 trials, 98 patients, p < 0.003) but no significant difference was observed for symptom scores and bladder diary parameters. TTNS was more effective than its sham-control in decreasing the number of nocturia episodes (MD -1.40, 95 % CI -2.39 to -0.42, 2 trials, 53 patients, p < 0.005) but no significant changes of OAB symptom scores were reported. PFMT was more effective than conservative advice in decreasing the ICIQ symptom score (MD, -1.12, 95 % CI -2.13 to -0.11, 2 trials, 91 patients, p = 0.03), although the number of incontinence episodes was not significantly different between groups. Conclusions: The results of the meta-analysis demonstrate a moderate efficacy of all considered treatments without proving the superiority of one therapy over the others. Combination treatment using different pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies could achieve the best clinical efficacy due to the favorable combination of the different mechanisms of action. This could be associated with fewer side effects due to drug dosage reduction. These data are only provisional and should be considered with caution, due to the few studies included in metaanalysis and to the small number of patients

Risk of urinary stone formation associated to proton pump inhibitors: A systematic review and metanalysis

Objective: Proton pump inhibitors are widely used as treatment of acid-related disorders. They are considered safe although their long-term use has been associated with some adverse effects including an increased propensity for urinary calculi formation. The aim of this study was to systematically review available data from studies evaluating the association of PPIs and nephrolithiasis. Materials and methods: We searched two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) for cohort studies or case-control studies evaluating the relationship between treatment with proton pump inhibitors and the risk of stone formation published up to 31 October 2022. The overall association of PPIs and urinary calculi was analyzed using a random effects model (RevMan5). The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Results: A total of 550 studies were retrieved; 7 were selected by title and abstract screening; after removal of duplicates, 4 records were evaluated by full-text examination. An additional study was retrieved by handsearching the references included in screened studies. In the unadjusted analysis, the odds of urinary calculi were greater in subjects taking PPIs compared to controls (unadjusted OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.74-2.52, p < 0.00001). The pooled odds ratio of two case-control studies confirmed that use of PPIs increased the odds of urinary calculi compared with non-use (OR 2.44, 95% CI 2.29 to 2.61). Pooled analysis of three cohort studies evaluating incident nephrolithiasis showed an overall hazard ratio estimate of 1.34 (95% CI = 1.28-1.40). One study found lower urinary citrate and urinary magnesium levels in subjects exposed to PPIs. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale scores ranged between 6 and 8. Conclusions: PPIs showed an association with urinary calculi in patients included in the studies included in this review. If these data will be confirmed in adequately powered randomized trials, clinicians may consider limiting the long-term use of PPIs, to avoid unnecessary prolongation of treatment. Urinary magnesium and citrate should be evaluated in renal stone forming patients taking PPIs to supplement their intake when requested

Risk of urogenital infections in non-diabetic patients treated with sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Systematic review and meta-analysis

Although SGLT2 inhibitors have been initially employed in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, their clinical use was later extended to the treatment of other conditions such as heart failure, chronic kidney disease and obesity. In patients with type 2 diabetes, the administration of SGLT2 inhibitors has been associated with an increased incidence of urogenital infections, which may be linked to high glucose levels in the urine. The rate of urogenital side effects may be different in non-diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to review the risk of urogenital infections in non-diabetic patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors. Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching PubMed and EMBASE for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting urogenital adverse effects in non-diabetic patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors. Odds ratios for urogenital infections were calculated using random effect Mantel-Haenszel statistics. Results: Out of 387 citations retrieved, 12 eligible RCTs were assessed for risk of bias and included in the meta-analysis. Compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with increased odds of genital infections (OR 3.01, 95% CI: 1.93- 4.68, 9 series, 7326 participants, Z = 5.74, p < 0.0001, I2 = 0%) as well as urinary tract infections (OR 1.33, 95% CI: 1.13-1.57, 9 series, 7326 participants, Z = 4.05, p < 0.0001, I2 = 0%). When four trials investigating the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in populations including both diabetic and non-diabetic patients were considered, administration of SGLT2 inhibitors in diabetic patients was associated with significantly higher odds of genital infections but not urinary tract infections compared to patients without type 2 diabetes. In patients taking placebo, the odds for urinary tract infections were significantly increased in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients. Conclusions: The risk of genital infections is increased also in non-diabetic patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors although at a lesser extent that in diabetics. A careful assessment of the local anatomical conditions and of the history of previous urogenital infections is desirable to select those patients who need more intense follow-up, possibly combined with prophylactic measures of infections during treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors

Delayed repair is the ideal management for posterior urethral injuries- FOR the motion

Posterior urethral injuries are seen in trauma cases with pelvic fracture. The time-tested and honored method of management is immediate supra-pubic diversion followed by delayed repair. Immediate alignment as a management option is not new. It was abandoned 30 years ago due to high incidence of incontinence and impotence. However, of late there is a tendency towards immediate management of these injuries with various endoscopic maneuvers. Unfortunately, there is little evidence supporting this. Even these evidences are of limited in number and of limited duration of follow-up

Endourological interventions in the diagnosis and management of upper urinary tract fungal infections - our experience

Objectives: We have analyzed the incidence and man-agement options of upper urinary tract obstructions caused by fungal infections during January 2000-December 2001. Methods: Four patients with upper urinary tract fun-gal infections underwent endourological interventions and received antifungal therapy. Results: All 4 patients underwent double J stenting, of which one patient underwent bilateral stenting. Percuta-neous nephrostomv to irrigate was done in one patient in whom the filling defect caused by the fiungal ball persisted even after 4 weeks of oral antifungal therapy. Nephroureterectomy was done in 1 patient as the renal function did not recover even after 4 weeks of appropriate therapy. Three patients had good recovery of renal func-tion. Conclusions: Endourological interventions help in re-lieving and treating obstructions caused by fungal infec-tions

THE POWER OF GAMIFICATION IN MEDICAL EDUCATION- A NARRATIVE REVIEW

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Abstract&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the dynamic landscape of modern education, the integration of innovative pedagogical strategies has become essential to engage and empower learners effectively. One such groundbreaking approach that has been gaining prominence in recent years is the incorporation of gamification principles into educational contexts, particularly in the field of medical education. Gamification introduces an innovative and engaging approach to medical education, leveraging elements from the world of games, such as competition, rewards, challenges, and interactivity, to create immersive and effective learning experiences. This transformative approach enhances motivation and retention and fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and teamwork among the students, all of which are essential attributes for healthcare professionals. This paper explores the profound power of gamification in medical education, delving into its theoretical foundations, practical applications, and the multitude of benefits it offers to both educators and learners. Through a comprehensive examination of case studies, best practices, and the research findings published in various databases PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2003-2023), we aim to shed light on how gamification is revolutionizing the way medical knowledge is acquired and retained, ultimately shaping the future of healthcare education.&nbsp;&lt;/p&gt

Effect of alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists on sexual function. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists or alpha-blockers are used in the treatment of hypertension, in the therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia and in medical expulsive treatment of ureteral stones. These agents may affect the sexual function, with differences between drugs within the same class, depending on their selectivity for receptor subtypes. The aim of this review was to analyze the effects of alpha-blockers on sexual function