Prostate cancer

Predictive value of digital rectal examination for prostate cancer detection is modified by obesity Chu, D. I. et al. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. doi:10.1038/pcan.2011.31

Digital rectal examination (DRE) is not an essential component of prostate cancer screening, according to current guidelines. A new study indicates that obese men benefit most from this test. Analysis of data from almost 3,000 men undergoing initial biopsy showed that DRE increases the likelihood of detecting prostate cancer in men with a high BMI, but not in their normal-weight counterparts.

BPH

Validation of the modified American Urological Association symptom score Crawford, E. D. et al. J. Urol. 186, 945–948 (2011)

A four-item version of the AUA symptom score questionnaire—dubbed UWIN (urgency, weak stream, incomplete emptying, nocturia)—has been validated. A highly significant correlation value of 0.93 was calculated using data from 278 men who completed both questionnaires during Prostate Cancer Awareness Week. Use of UWIN should make accurate assessment of symptoms more rapid and less burdensome.

Sexual dysfunction

Combination of BAY 60-4552 and vardenafil exerts proerectile facilitator effects in rats with cavernous nerve injury: a proof of concept study for the treatment of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor failure Oudot, A. et al. Eur. Urol. doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2011.07.052

Coadministration of the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator BAY 60-4552 and the PDE5 inhibitor vardenafil synergistically improves the erectile response of rats with cavernous nerve crush injury. This finding gives hope to men whose prostatectomy-induced erectile dysfunction fails to respond to PDE5 monotherapy.

Pediatrics

Urodynamic assessment of children treated with botulinum toxin A injections for urge incontinence: a pilot study Lahdes-Vasama, T. T. et al. Scand. J. Urol. Nephrol. doi:10.3109/00365599.2011.590997

A small trial of 13 children with idiopathic detrusor overactivity and urge incontinence refractory to scheduled voiding and anticholinergics has shown a positive effect of botulinum toxin A injections. One or two sessions of up to 20 intradetrusor injections reduced daytime wetting, increased bladder volume and decreased overactivity. The complete response of three patients was maintained for at least 12 months.