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Urology

Cohort Study: High Rate of Preventable Adverse Events in Surgical Inpatients

16 Nov, 2024 | 17:29h | UTC

Background: Adverse events during hospital admissions, particularly in surgical settings, remain a significant cause of patient harm despite efforts to improve patient safety since the “To Err is Human” report. Advances in surgical techniques and patient care necessitate an updated assessment of the current state of perioperative safety.

Objective: To estimate the frequency, severity, and preventability of adverse events associated with perioperative care in surgical inpatients and to identify the settings and healthcare professionals involved.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted across 11 US hospitals in Massachusetts. A weighted random sample of 1,009 patients was selected from 64,121 adults admitted for surgery in 2018. Trained nurses reviewed electronic health records to identify adverse events, which were then adjudicated by physicians. Adverse events were classified by type, severity, preventability, setting, and professions involved.

Results: Adverse events occurred in 38.0% of patients (95% CI, 32.6–43.4%), with major adverse events in 15.9% (12.7–19.0%). Among 593 adverse events identified, 59.5% were potentially preventable, and 20.7% were definitely or probably preventable. The most common events were surgery-related (49.3%), adverse drug events (26.6%), healthcare-associated infections (12.4%), and patient care events (11.2%). Adverse events most frequently occurred in general care units (48.8%) and involved attending physicians (89.5%) and nurses (58.9%).

Conclusions: More than one-third of surgical inpatients experienced adverse events, with nearly half classified as major and most potentially preventable. These findings highlight the critical need for ongoing improvement in patient safety throughout perioperative care involving all healthcare professionals.

Implications for Practice: Healthcare providers should enhance patient safety protocols across all perioperative settings, not just in operating rooms. Emphasis should be placed on preventing surgery-related complications, adverse drug events, and healthcare-associated infections by fostering teamwork and continuous monitoring.

Study Strengths and Limitations: Strengths include a comprehensive review of medical records and systematic classification of adverse events by trained professionals. Limitations involve the study’s confinement to Massachusetts hospitals in 2018, potential variability in documentation practices, and limited sample size affecting generalizability and specialty-specific estimates.

Future Research: Further studies are needed to assess adverse event rates in diverse geographic locations and healthcare systems, explore effective interventions to reduce preventable harm, and evaluate long-term trends in surgical patient safety.

Reference: Duclos A, Frits ML, Iannaccone C, Lipsitz SR, Cooper Z, Weissman JS, Bates DW. Safety of inpatient care in surgical settings: cohort study. BMJ. 2024; DOI: http://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-080480

 


Guideline: Management of Urinary Tract Infections in Pediatrics and Adults

5 Nov, 2024 | 18:59h | UTC

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections worldwide, significantly impacting patient quality of life and imposing substantial clinical and economic burdens. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, UTIs continue to cause high morbidity and mortality, ranging from simple cystitis to life-threatening sepsis. Addressing the discrepancy between evidence quality and recommendation strength in existing guidelines, the WikiGuidelines Group has developed a consensus statement. This guideline aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and management of UTIs across diverse clinical settings.

Key Recommendations:

  1. Cranberry Products:
    • Recommendation: Cranberry juice or supplements are recommended for preventing symptomatic, culture-verified UTIs in women with recurrent UTIs, children, and individuals susceptible after interventions.
    • Quality of Evidence: Moderate
    • Recommendation Strength: Strong
  2. Methenamine Hippurate:
    • Recommendation: Methenamine hippurate is recommended as an alternative to prophylactic antibiotics for preventing recurrent UTIs in patients with intact bladder anatomy.
    • Quality of Evidence: Moderate
    • Recommendation Strength: Strong
  3. Topical Estrogen:
    • Recommendation: Vaginal estrogen therapy is recommended for postmenopausal women to reduce recurrent UTIs by restoring the vaginal microbiome.
    • Quality of Evidence: High
    • Recommendation Strength: Strong
  4. Empirical Treatment Regimens:
    • Recommendation: For uncomplicated cystitis, nitrofurantoin is recommended as a first-line agent. For pyelonephritis, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or a first-generation cephalosporin are reasonable first-line agents, depending on local resistance rates.
    • Quality of Evidence: Moderate
    • Recommendation Strength: Strong
  5. Treatment Duration for Acute Cystitis in Adults:
    • Recommendation:
      • Nitrofurantoin: 5 days
      • Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole: 3 days
      • Oral fosfomycin: Single dose
    • Quality of Evidence: High
    • Recommendation Strength: Strong
  6. Treatment Duration for Acute Pyelonephritis in Adults:
    • Recommendation:
      • Fluoroquinolones: 5–7 days
      • Dose-optimized β-lactams: 7 days
    • Quality of Evidence: High
    • Recommendation Strength: Strong
  7. Antimicrobial Stewardship:
    • Recommendation: De-escalation of antibiotics and the use of mostly or all oral treatment regimens are recommended to optimize antimicrobial use and reduce adverse effects.
    • Quality of Evidence: High
    • Recommendation Strength: Strong

Conclusion: The consensus highlights a significant lack of high-quality prospective data in many areas related to UTIs, limiting the ability to provide clear recommendations. Implementing these evidence-based guidelines can enhance patient care by promoting effective prevention strategies, accurate diagnosis based on clinical symptoms, appropriate treatment durations, and robust antimicrobial stewardship. This approach is expected to improve clinical outcomes, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and preserve the effectiveness of current treatments.

Reference: Nelson Z, Aslan AT, Beahm NP, et al. Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Urinary Tract Infections in Pediatrics and Adults: A WikiGuidelines Group Consensus Statement. JAMA Network Open. 2024;7(11). DOI: http://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.44495

 


Observational Study: Kidney Transplantation from Donors with HIV Safe for Recipients with HIV

20 Oct, 2024 | 17:30h | UTC

Background: Kidney transplantation improves survival for persons with HIV and end-stage renal disease but is limited by organ shortages. Transplantation from donors with HIV to recipients with HIV is emerging under the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act but is currently approved only for research. The Department of Health and Human Services is considering expanding this practice to clinical care, but data are limited to small case series without control groups.

Objective: To assess whether kidney transplantation from donors with HIV is noninferior to transplantation from donors without HIV regarding safety outcomes in recipients with HIV.

Methods: In an observational, noninferiority study at 26 U.S. centers, 408 transplantation candidates with HIV were enrolled. Of these, 198 received a kidney transplant: 99 from deceased donors with HIV and 99 from deceased donors without HIV. The primary outcome was a composite safety event (death, graft loss, serious adverse event, HIV breakthrough infection, persistent failure of HIV treatment, or opportunistic infection), assessed for noninferiority (upper bound of 95% CI for hazard ratio ≤3.00). Secondary outcomes included overall survival, survival without graft loss, rejection rates, infections, cancer, and HIV superinfection.

Results: The adjusted hazard ratio for the composite primary outcome was 1.00 (95% CI, 0.73 to 1.38), demonstrating noninferiority. Overall survival at 1 year was 94% for recipients of kidneys from donors with HIV and 95% for those from donors without HIV; at 3 years, survival was 85% and 87%, respectively. Survival without graft loss at 1 year was 93% vs. 90%; at 3 years, 84% vs. 81%. Rejection rates were similar at 1 year (13% vs. 21%) and 3 years (21% vs. 24%). The incidence of serious adverse events, infections, surgical or vascular complications, and cancer did not differ significantly between groups. HIV breakthrough infection occurred more frequently among recipients of kidneys from donors with HIV (incidence rate ratio 3.14; 95% CI, 1.02 to 9.63), primarily due to nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy; viral suppression was regained in all cases. One potential HIV superinfection occurred without clinical consequences.

Conclusions: Kidney transplantation from donors with HIV to recipients with HIV was noninferior to transplantation from donors without HIV regarding safety outcomes, supporting the expansion of this practice from research to clinical care.

Implications for Practice: Expanding kidney transplantation involving donors and recipients with HIV to clinical practice could increase organ availability and reduce disparities in transplantation access for persons with HIV. Clinicians should monitor for HIV breakthrough infections and encourage adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Study Strengths and Limitations: Strengths include a multicenter design and direct comparison groups. Limitations involve the observational design, inability to randomize due to allocation constraints, and heterogeneity in immunosuppression protocols.

Future Research: Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, evaluate long-term outcomes, and assess potential risks such as HIV superinfection.

Reference: Durand CM, et al. (2024) for the HOPE in Action Investigators. Safety of Kidney Transplantation from Donors with HIV. New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: http://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2403733

 


RCT: MRI-Guided Biopsy Reduces Overdiagnosis of Clinically Insignificant Prostate Cancer

26 Sep, 2024 | 12:22h | UTC

Background: Overdiagnosis of clinically insignificant prostate cancer is a significant issue in population-based screening programs, primarily when prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is followed by systematic biopsy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided biopsies, which avoid systematic biopsies in men with negative MRI results, have shown potential in reducing unnecessary cancer diagnoses. However, long-term data are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of this approach.

Objective: To evaluate whether MRI-targeted biopsies, when combined with PSA screening, can reduce the detection of clinically insignificant prostate cancer without compromising the identification of clinically significant or advanced disease.

Methods: This population-based, randomized trial in Sweden (GÖTEBORG-2) enrolled 13,153 men aged 50-60 years who underwent PSA screening. Men with PSA levels ≥3 ng/mL were randomized into two groups: (1) MRI-targeted biopsy only in cases with suspicious lesions, or (2) systematic biopsy in all cases with PSA elevation. Screening occurred every 2, 4, or 8 years depending on PSA levels, with follow-up for up to four years. The primary outcome was the detection of clinically insignificant prostate cancer, and secondary outcomes included clinically significant and advanced or high-risk prostate cancer.

Results: After a median follow-up of 3.9 years, the detection of clinically insignificant prostate cancer was significantly lower in the MRI-targeted biopsy group (2.8%) compared to the systematic biopsy group (4.5%), with a relative risk (RR) of 0.43 (95% CI, 0.32-0.57; P < 0.001). The relative risk of detecting clinically significant cancer was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.66-1.07), indicating no significant difference between the two groups. Advanced or high-risk cancers were detected in 15 men in the MRI group and 23 men in the systematic group (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.34-1.24). Severe adverse events occurred in five patients (three in the systematic biopsy group, two in the MRI-targeted biopsy group).

Conclusions: Omitting biopsies in men with negative MRI results substantially reduced the diagnosis of clinically insignificant prostate cancer without increasing the risk of missing clinically significant or advanced cancers. MRI-targeted biopsy strategies can effectively limit overdiagnosis while maintaining safety in screening programs.

Implications for Practice: MRI-targeted biopsies offer a promising strategy to reduce unnecessary cancer diagnoses and avoid overtreatment in prostate cancer screening. Clinicians should consider integrating MRI into prostate cancer screening algorithms, especially in cases with elevated PSA but no MRI-detected lesions. This approach may also decrease biopsy-related complications and patient anxiety.

Study Strengths and Limitations: Strengths of this trial include its population-based design, large sample size, and thorough follow-up. Limitations include its single-center setting in Sweden, which may limit generalizability to more diverse populations, and a modest participation rate of 50%.

Future Research: Further studies should assess the cost-effectiveness of widespread MRI use in prostate cancer screening and explore its utility in diverse populations. Investigations into novel biomarkers that could further refine patient selection for MRI-targeted biopsy are also warranted.

Reference: Hugosson J., et al. (2024). Results after Four Years of Screening for Prostate Cancer with PSA and MRI. N Engl J Med. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2406050

 


Summary: Perioperative Management of Patients Taking Direct Oral Anticoagulants

19 Sep, 2024 | 21:12h | UTC

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)—including apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran—are increasingly used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and for treating venous thromboembolism. Effective perioperative management of DOACs is essential to minimize bleeding and thromboembolic risks during surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Below are practical recommendations focused on the perioperative management of patients taking DOACs, based on a recent JAMA review article.


Elective Surgical or Nonsurgical Procedures

Classify Bleeding Risk of Procedures:

  1. Minimal Risk:
    • Minor dental procedures (e.g., cleaning, extractions)
    • Minor dermatologic procedures (e.g., skin lesion removal)
    • Cataract surgery
  2. Low to Moderate Risk:
    • Endoscopic procedures without high-risk interventions
    • Cholecystectomy
    • Inguinal hernia repair
  3. High Risk:
    • Major surgery (e.g., cancer surgery, joint replacement)
    • Procedures involving neuraxial anesthesia
    • Endoscopic procedures with high-risk interventions (e.g., large polyp removal)

DOAC Management Strategies:

  1. Minimal Bleeding Risk Procedures:
    • Option 1: Continue DOACs without interruption.
    • Option 2: For added safety, withhold the morning dose on the day of the procedure (especially for twice-daily DOACs like apixaban and dabigatran).
  2. Low to Moderate Bleeding Risk Procedures:
    • Preoperative:
      • Discontinue DOACs 1 day before the procedure.
      • This allows approximately 2 half-lives for drug clearance.
    • Postoperative:
      • Resume DOACs 1 day after the procedure, ensuring adequate hemostasis.
  3. High Bleeding Risk Procedures:
    • Preoperative:
      • Discontinue DOACs 2 days before the procedure.
      • This allows approximately 4-5 half-lives for drug clearance.
    • Postoperative:
      • Resume DOACs 2-3 days after the procedure, based on bleeding risk and hemostasis.

Evidence Supporting These Strategies:

  • The PAUSE study demonstrated that standardized interruption protocols without heparin bridging result in low rates of:
    • Thromboembolism: 0.2%–0.4%
    • Major Bleeding: 1%–2%

Postoperative DOAC Resumption:

  • Assess surgical-site hemostasis before resuming DOACs.
  • Delay resumption if there is ongoing bleeding or concerns about hemostasis.
  • For high bleeding risk procedures, consider a longer delay (2–3 days).

Perioperative Heparin Bridging:

  • Not recommended for patients on DOACs.
  • Bridging increases bleeding risk without reducing thromboembolism.
  • DOACs have rapid offset and onset, making bridging unnecessary.

Special Considerations

Patients with Impaired Renal Function:

  • For CrCl 30–50 mL/min:
    • Dabigatran: Extend preoperative discontinuation by an additional day.
  • For CrCl <30 mL/min:
    • Dabigatran is contraindicated.
    • For other DOACs, consider extending discontinuation to 3–4 days before surgery.

Patients Undergoing Neuraxial Anesthesia:

  • Discontinue DOACs for 3 days (apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban) or 4 days (dabigatran) before the procedure.
  • Minimizes risk of spinal or epidural hematoma.

Dental Procedures:

  • Generally safe to continue DOACs.
  • For added safety:
    • Omit or delay the dose on the day of the procedure.
    • Employ local hemostatic measures (e.g., tranexamic acid mouthwash).

Endoscopic Procedures:

  • Low-risk procedures (e.g., diagnostic endoscopy without biopsy):
    • Follow standard DOAC interruption for low to moderate bleeding risk.
  • High-risk procedures (e.g., polypectomy of large polyps):
    • Extend DOAC discontinuation by an additional day pre- and post-procedure.

Patients Unable to Resume Oral Medications Postoperatively:

  • Use prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) until oral intake is possible.
  • Avoid therapeutic-dose LMWH due to bleeding risk.

Emergent, Urgent, or Semiurgent Procedures

Risks:

  • Higher bleeding risk: Up to 23%
  • Thromboembolism risk: Up to 11%

Management Strategies:

  1. Assess Time Since Last DOAC Dose:
    • If within 48 hours, consider that significant anticoagulant effect may persist.
  2. Laboratory Testing (if available):
    • DOAC Level Testing:
      • ≥50 ng/mL: Consider using reversal agents.
      • <50 ng/mL: May proceed without reversal agents.
  3. Use of Reversal Agents:
    • For Dabigatran:
      • Idarucizumab (5 g IV)
    • For Factor Xa Inhibitors (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban):
      • Andexanet alfa (dosing based on last dose timing and amount)
      • Prothrombin Complex Concentrates (PCCs): If andexanet alfa is unavailable or contraindicated.
  4. Proceeding Without Testing:
    • If testing is unavailable and last DOAC dose was within 48 hours, consider reversal agents.
    • If >48 hours since last dose, may proceed without reversal.

Considerations:

  • Reversal agents are expensive and may carry thrombotic risks.
  • Use should be judicious, weighing risks and benefits.
  • Consult hematology or thrombosis experts when possible.

Key Takeaways

  • Elective Procedures:
    • Utilize standardized protocols based on procedural bleeding risk.
    • Routine preoperative DOAC level testing is unnecessary.
    • Avoid heparin bridging.
  • Emergent/Urgent Procedures:
    • Reversal agents may be appropriate when significant DOAC levels are present.
    • Decision to use reversal agents should consider bleeding risk, time since last dose, and availability of DOAC level testing.
  • Patient Communication:
    • Ensure patients understand the plan for DOAC interruption and resumption.
    • Provide clear instructions regarding timing and dosing.
  • Interdisciplinary Coordination:
    • Collaborate with surgical teams, anesthesiologists, and pharmacists.
    • Use electronic medical records and clinical decision support tools to enhance communication.

Conclusion

By applying standardized perioperative management protocols, clinicians can effectively balance the risks of bleeding and thromboembolism in patients taking DOACs who require surgical or nonsurgical procedures. These strategies simplify decision-making, avoid unnecessary interventions like heparin bridging, and promote patient safety.

Reference: Douketis JDSpyropoulos AC. Perioperative Management of Patients Taking Direct Oral AnticoagulantsA ReviewJAMA. 2024;332(10):825–834. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.12708

 


RCT: Perioperative Durvalumab Plus Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Improved Survival in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

18 Sep, 2024 | 15:22h | UTC

Background: Neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy is the standard treatment for cisplatin-eligible patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Despite this approach, approximately 50% of patients experience recurrence within 3 years. Combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy may enhance outcomes, and durvalumab, a PD-L1 inhibitor, has shown promise when added to chemotherapy in previous studies.

Objective: To evaluate whether perioperative durvalumab combined with neoadjuvant gemcitabine–cisplatin improves event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone in cisplatin-eligible patients with operable MIBC.

Methods: In the phase 3, open-label, randomized NIAGARA trial, 1063 cisplatin-eligible patients with MIBC (clinical stage T2-T4aN0-1M0) were randomized 1:1 to receive either perioperative durvalumab plus neoadjuvant gemcitabine–cisplatin followed by radical cystectomy and adjuvant durvalumab (durvalumab group, n=533) or neoadjuvant gemcitabine–cisplatin followed by radical cystectomy alone (comparison group, n=530). The primary endpoints were EFS and pathological complete response (pCR). The key secondary endpoint was OS.

Results: At a median follow-up of 42.3 months, the estimated EFS at 24 months was 67.8% (95% CI, 63.6–71.7) in the durvalumab group versus 59.8% (95% CI, 55.4–64.0) in the comparison group (hazard ratio [HR] for progression, recurrence, not undergoing cystectomy, or death, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56–0.82; P<0.001). The estimated OS at 24 months was 82.2% (95% CI, 78.7–85.2) in the durvalumab group versus 75.2% (95% CI, 71.3–78.8) in the comparison group (HR for death, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.59–0.93; P=0.01). Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 40.6% of patients in the durvalumab group and 40.9% in the comparison group. Radical cystectomy was performed in 88.0% of patients in the durvalumab group and 83.2% in the comparison group.

Conclusions: Perioperative durvalumab combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved event-free and overall survival compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone in cisplatin-eligible patients with operable MIBC.

Implications for Practice: Adding perioperative durvalumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy may represent a new option for cisplatin-eligible patients with MIBC, offering improved survival outcomes without increasing significant adverse events or delaying surgery.

Study Strengths and Limitations: Strengths include the large sample size and randomized, phase 3 design. Limitations encompass the open-label design and inability to isolate the effects of neoadjuvant versus adjuvant durvalumab. Additionally, the trial was conducted before the widespread use of adjuvant nivolumab, potentially affecting the generalizability of the results.

Future Research: Further studies are needed to delineate the relative contributions of neoadjuvant and adjuvant durvalumab and to explore biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA to guide treatment decisions.

Reference: Powles T, Catto JWF, Galsky MD, et al. Perioperative Durvalumab with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Operable Bladder Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2024 Sep 15. DOI: http://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2408154

 


Deep Learning Model Noninferior to Radiologists in Detecting Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer at MRI – Radiology

10 Aug, 2024 | 21:31h | UTC

Study Design and Population: This retrospective study evaluated the performance of a deep learning (DL) model for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) using multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) images from 5215 patients (5735 examinations) with a mean age of 66 years. The study included patients who underwent prostate MRI between January 2017 and December 2019 at a single academic institution. The DL model was trained on T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and contrast-enhanced MRI sequences, with pathologic diagnosis as the reference standard.

Main Findings: The DL model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.89 on the internal test set and 0.86 on an external test set, demonstrating noninferiority to radiologists, who had AUCs of 0.89 and 0.84, respectively. Additionally, the combination of the DL model and radiologists improved diagnostic performance (AUC of 0.89). Gradient-weighted class activation maps (Grad-CAMs) effectively localized csPCa lesions, overlapping with true-positive cases in 92% of internal test set and 97% of external test set cases.

Implications for Practice: The DL model showed comparable performance to experienced radiologists in detecting csPCa at MRI, suggesting its potential to assist radiologists in improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing interobserver variability. Future research should focus on integrating the model into clinical workflows and assessing its impact on biopsy targeting.

Reference: Cai JC, Nakai H, Kuanar S, et al. (2024). Fully Automated Deep Learning Model to Detect Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer at MRI. Radiology, 312(2): e232635. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.232635.

 


RCT: Impact of single PSA screening invitation on 15-year prostate cancer mortality – JAMA

25 May, 2024 | 19:01h | UTC

Study Design and Population: This study is a secondary analysis of the Cluster Randomized Trial of PSA Testing for Prostate Cancer (CAP), which focused on the long-term effects of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening on prostate cancer mortality. It involved 415,357 men aged 50 to 69 years from 573 primary care practices across England and Wales. Participants were randomized to either receive a single invitation for a PSA screening or to a control group receiving standard practice without invitation. The follow-up period concluded on March 31, 2021, after a median duration of 15 years.

Main Findings: The intervention group, which received one PSA screening invitation, showed a prostate cancer mortality rate of 0.69% compared to 0.78% in the control group, translating to a rate ratio of 0.92 and demonstrating a statistically significant but modest reduction in death from prostate cancer. Additionally, the screening led to increased detection rates of low-grade and localized prostate cancer. However, there were no significant differences in detection of more advanced cancer stages between the two groups. All-cause mortality rates were similar across both groups.

Implications for Practice: While the introduction of a single PSA screening invitation was associated with a slight decrease in prostate cancer mortality over 15 years, the absolute reduction was small. These findings suggest that while PSA screening can detect cancer earlier, its impact on long-term survival is limited and should be weighed against the potential for overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Future strategies in prostate cancer screening might need to focus more on risk stratification and personalized screening approaches to maximize benefits and minimize unnecessary interventions.

 

Reference (link to abstract – $ for full-text):

Martin RM et al. (2024). Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening and 15-Year Prostate Cancer Mortality: A Secondary Analysis of the CAP Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 331(17), 1460-1470. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.4011

 


AUA/ASCO/SUO Updated guidelines for muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer

1 May, 2024 | 21:40h | UTC

The 2024 update to the muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) guidelines provides a risk-assessed framework for the treatment of this high-risk patient group, which constitutes about 25% of all bladder cancer diagnoses. These guidelines, revised through the AUA amendment process, integrate new research findings from May 2020 to November 2023, involving a rigorous review of 3739 abstracts and 46 full-text articles. Key updates include refined protocols for neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy, radical cystectomy, and multi-modal bladder-preserving therapies. Recommendations are categorized based on evidence strength, ranging from high to low, and are supplemented by clinical principles and expert opinions in areas lacking robust data. This structured approach aims to enhance clinical outcomes by updating practitioners on optimal management strategies and emphasizing the need for ongoing research to refine these recommendations.

 

Reference (link to free full-text):

Holzbeierlein et al. (2024). Treatment of Non-Metastatic Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: AUA/ASCO/SUO GUIDELINE (2017; Amended 2020, 2024). Journal of Urology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003981

 


The Lancet Commission: Global projections and recommendations for managing the increasing burden of prostate cancer

27 Apr, 2024 | 18:42h | UTC

The Lancet Commission’s report on prostate cancer highlights the expected doubling of annual cases from 1.4 million in 2020 to 2.9 million by 2040, driven by demographic changes and increased life expectancy. This comprehensive analysis divides the issue into epidemiology, diagnostics, management of localized and advanced disease, emphasizing disparities between high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Key findings indicate that late diagnoses are common, particularly in LMICs, leading to worse outcomes. The Commission advocates for significant changes in the diagnostic pathways and increased use of current technologies tailored to available resources to improve outcomes. Education and awareness programs are recommended to facilitate early detection and shift the treatment paradigm from palliative to curative, focusing on surgery and radiotherapy. Without decisive action, the global mortality from prostate cancer is set to rise, highlighting the need for urgent interventions across all countries, with a special focus on underserved populations.

 

Reference:

James, N.D., Tannock, I., N’Dow, J., Feng, F., Gillessen, S., Ali, S.A., et al. (2024). The Lancet Commission on prostate cancer: planning for the surge in cases. The Lancet, 404(10052), 1-29. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00651-2.


Consensus Paper | Surgical video data use, structure, and exploration (for research in AI, quality improvement, and education)

9 Aug, 2023 | 15:20h | UTC

SAGES consensus recommendations on surgical video data use, structure, and exploration (for research in artificial intelligence, clinical quality improvement, and surgical education) – Surgical Endoscopy

 


Guideline Synopsis | Diagnosis and management of priapism

21 Jul, 2023 | 13:47h | UTC

Diagnosis and Management of Priapism – JAMA (free for a limited period)

Original Guideline: The Diagnosis and Management of Recurrent Ischemic Priapism, Priapism in Sickle Cell Patients, and Non-Ischemic Priapism: An AUA/SMSNA Guideline – Journal of Urology

 


Podcast | Hematuria pearls

19 Jul, 2023 | 14:19h | UTC

#404 Hematuria with Dr. Derek Fine – The Curbsiders

 


RCT | Prostatic artery embolization improves symptoms more than combined medical therapy in BPH patients

18 Jul, 2023 | 13:34h | UTC

Prostatic artery embolisation versus medical treatment in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (PARTEM): a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3, superiority trial – The Lancet Regional Health – Europe

 


Systematic Review | Ethical perspectives on surgical video recording for patients, surgeons and society

11 Jul, 2023 | 13:44h | UTC

Ethical perspectives on surgical video recording for patients, surgeons and society: systematic review – BJS Open

 


Podcast | Untangling catheter associated UTIs

10 Jul, 2023 | 13:21h | UTC

#402 Don’t Get Caught with a CAUTI – The Curbsiders

 


Cohort Study | Incidence and risk factors of postoperative urinary retention after inguinal hernia repair

7 Jul, 2023 | 16:11h | UTC

Global Incidence and Risk Factors Associated With Postoperative Urinary Retention Following Elective Inguinal Hernia Repair: The Retention of Urine After Inguinal Hernia Elective Repair (RETAINER I) Study – JAMA Surgery (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

 


RCT | Brachytherapy alone sufficient for intermediate-risk prostate cancer, no FFP improvement with additional EBRT

7 Jul, 2023 | 16:06h | UTC

Effect of Brachytherapy With External Beam Radiation Therapy Versus Brachytherapy Alone for Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer: NRG Oncology RTOG 0232 Randomized Clinical Trial – Journal of Clinical Oncology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

News Release: Addition of EBRT to brachytherapy did not improve outcomes for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer, brachytherapy alone remains standard of care – NRG Oncology

 


Review | Surgical treatment options for male stress urinary incontinence

7 Jul, 2023 | 16:03h | UTC

A narrative review on surgical treatment options for male stress urinary incontinence – Translational Andrology and Urology

 


RCT | Substituting saline with balanced crystalloid solution reduces delayed graft function in kidney transplantation

30 Jun, 2023 | 14:56h | UTC

Summary: The BEST-Fluids study was a pragmatic, multicentre, double-blind, randomized controlled trial carried out across 16 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand, aimed at comparing the use of balanced crystalloid solution (Plasma-Lyte 148) and saline in deceased donor kidney transplantation. The sample size comprised of 808 participants, who were either adults or children of any age, with the primary outcome defined as delayed graft function (DGF) occurring within 7 days post-transplantation.

Findings from the trial revealed that the balanced crystalloid group experienced less DGF than the saline group, with 121 out of 404 participants (30%) and 160 out of 403 participants (40%), respectively. This result yields an adjusted relative risk of 0.74 and an adjusted risk difference of 10.1%.

The study suggests that balanced crystalloid solution significantly reduces the incidence of DGF compared to saline. As no significant safety concerns were raised during the trial, the researchers recommend the use of balanced crystalloid solution as the standard-of-care intravenous fluid in deceased donor kidney transplantation. However, the study doesn’t indicate any significant differences in graft failure or mortality rates, which calls for further research.

Article: Balanced crystalloid solution versus saline in deceased donor kidney transplantation (BEST-Fluids): a pragmatic, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial – The Lancet (free registration required)

 


Guideline | Management of adrenal incidentalomas

23 Jun, 2023 | 13:33h | UTC

European Society of Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of adrenal incidentalomas, in collaboration with the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors – European Journal of Endocrinology

Related:

Investigation and assessment of adrenal incidentalomas – Clinical Medicine Journal

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