Project description:Background/objectivesThe aim of this study is to determine whether vitamin D status is associated with incident urinary incontinence (UI) among community-dwelling older adults.Subjects/methodsThe University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging is a prospective cohort study of community-dwelling Medicare enrollees. Standardized assessment of UI was conducted using the validated Incontinence Severity Index. The analysis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels was performed on stored baseline sera. UI was assessed every 6-12 months for up to 42 months. The analyses included multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsOf 350 participants (175 male, 147 black, mean age 73.6±5.8), 54% (189/350) were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D <20 ng/ml) and 25% (87/350) were vitamin D insufficient (25(OH)D: 20 ng/ml to <30 ng/ml). Among the 187 subjects with no UI at baseline, 57% (107/187) were vitamin D deficient and 24% (45/187) were vitamin D insufficient. A total of 175 of the 187 subjects had follow-up evaluation for incident UI over 42 months, and incident UI occurred in 37% (65/175). After adjustment, cumulative incident UI at 42 months was associated with baseline vitamin D insufficiency (P=0.03) and demonstrated a trend association with deficiency (P=0.07). There was no association between baseline vitamin D status and the time to incident UI.ConclusionsThese preliminary results support an association between vitamin D and incident UI in community-dwelling older adults. Future studies may target specific at-risk groups, such as men with BPH or women with pelvic floor disorders for evaluation of the impact of vitamin D supplementation on urinary symptoms.
Project description:BackgroundBrain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are the single most common cause of intracerebral haemorrhage in young adults. Brain AVMs also cause seizure(s) and focal neurological deficits (in the absence of haemorrhage, migraine or an epileptic seizure); approximately one-fifth are incidental discoveries. Various interventions are used in an attempt to eradicate brain AVMs: neurosurgical excision, stereotactic radiosurgery, endovascular embolization, and staged combinations of these interventions. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2006, and last updated in 2009.ObjectivesTo determine the effectiveness and safety of the different interventions, alone or in combination, for treating brain AVMs in adults compared against either each other, or conservative management, in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).Search methodsThe Cochrane Stroke Group Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched 7 January 2019), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2019, Issue 1) in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE Ovid (1980 to 14 January 2019), and Embase OVID (1980 to 14 January 2019). We searched international registers of clinical trials, the contents pages of relevant journals, and bibliographies of relevant articles (November 2009). We also contacted manufacturers of interventional treatments for brain AVMs (March 2005).Selection criteriaWe sought RCTs of any intervention for brain AVMs (used alone or in combination), compared against each other or against conservative management, with relevant clinical outcome measures.Data collection and analysisOne author screened the results of the updated searches for potentially eligible RCTs for this updated review. Both authors independently read the potentially eligible RCTs in full and confirmed their inclusion according to the inclusion criteria. We resolved disagreement by discussion. We assessed the risk of bias in included studies and applied GRADE.Main resultsWe included one trial with 226 participants: A Randomized trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (ARUBA), comparing intervention versus conservative management for unruptured brain AVMs (that had never bled). The quality of evidence was moderate because we found just one trial that was at low risk of bias other than a high risk of performance bias due to participants and treating physicians not being blinded to allocated treatment. Data on functional outcome and death at a follow-up of 12 months were provided for 218 (96%) of the participants in ARUBA. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), intervention compared to conservative management increased death or dependency (modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 2, risk ratio (RR) 2.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28 to 4.98; 1 trial, 226 participants; moderate-quality evidence) and the proportion of participants with symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (RR 6.75, 95% CI 2.07 to 21.96; 1 trial, 226 participants; moderate-quality evidence), but there was no difference in the frequency of epileptic seizures (RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.63 to 2.06; 1 trial, 226 participants; moderate-quality evidence). Three RCTs are ongoing.Authors' conclusionsWe found moderate-quality evidence from one RCT including adults with unruptured brain AVMs that conservative management was superior to intervention with respect to functional outcome and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage over one year after randomization. More RCTs will help to confirm or refute these findings.
Project description:BackgroundFemale patients with chronic cough are more likely to suffer from urinary incontinence (UI). However, there are few data in regard of risks related with UI in female adults with chronic cough.MethodWe recruited female adult patients with chronic cough from the cough specialist clinic. Demographic information and clinical characteristics including age, BMI, duration of cough, severity of cough, nature and timing of cough, cough triggers, concomitant symptoms, comorbidities and UI condition were collected. The demographics and clinical features of patients with UI and those without UI were compared.ResultA total of 700 female patients with the main symptom of chronic cough were included, of whom 351 (50.1%) presented with UI. As compared with patients without UI, patients with UI showed a longer mean age (years) (49.5 vs. 42.4, p < 0.001), a more severe cough symptom (median of cough Visual Analogue Scale: 65 vs. 50, p < 0.001), a higher prevalence of chronic sinusitis (17.6% vs. 8.6%, p = 0.002), and combined with a higher incidence of abdominal muscle pain due to cough (39.6% vs. 18.7%, p < 0.001).In addition, patients in UI group whose cough were more easily triggered by exercise (28.2% vs. 17.2%, p = 0.048). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated the above five variables were risk factors for UI in female adult patients with chronic cough.ConclusionUrinary incontinence is a common complication in female patients with chronic cough. Older age, severe cough, combing with a higher proportion of chronic sinusitis and abdominal muscle pain, a cough easily triggered by exercise are identified as risk factors for urinary incontinence. We should pay more attention to female chronic coughers with these risk factors in clinics.
Project description:Introduction and hypothesisThere is a paucity of evidence on the healthcare preferences of active female young adults with urinary incontinence (UI). This research is aimed at examining the population's healthcare preferences and priorities and their characteristics and experiences to improve access to and use of services.MethodsThis cross-sectional online survey study used a convenience community sample. Participants resided in Australia, were 18-30 years old, had self-reported engagement in physical activity of any frequency and self-reported urine leakage in the previous 4 weeks and met other eligibility criteria. Data were analysed using descriptive analyses.ResultsThirty-nine participants took part in the study. The majority engaged in recreational exercise (74.2%) and experienced UI of slight to moderate severity (82.9%). Participants preferred to access information and support anonymously online (71.4%) from general practitioners (58.8%), medical specialists (50.0%) or physiotherapists (44.1%). All participants wanted to be involved in the UI management decision-making process. Participants prioritised knowing information over cost (38.2%), changes to daily habits (35.3%) and potential risks or side effects (23.5%) when making decisions about management of UI.ConclusionThe results highlight the diversity among active female young adults with UI. They emphasise the need for shared decision making and highlight key information needs, providing the basis for the development of decision-making tools and protocols specific to this population. They demonstrate the need for anonymous online information and support, and draw attention to the presence of UI among young recreational exercisers, highlighting the importance of ensuring that information and support is available within this demographic.
Project description:ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to characterize the urinary microbiota in women who are planning treatment for urgency urinary incontinence and to describe clinical associations with urinary symptoms, urinary tract infection, and treatment outcomes.Study designCatheterized urine samples were collected from multisite randomized trial participants who had no clinical evidence of urinary tract infection; 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used to dichotomize participants as either DNA sequence-positive or sequence-negative. Associations with demographics, urinary symptoms, urinary tract infection risk, and treatment outcomes were determined. In sequence-positive samples, microbiotas were characterized on the basis of their dominant microorganisms.ResultsMore than one-half (51.1%; 93/182) of the participants' urine samples were sequence-positive. Sequence-positive participants were younger (55.8 vs 61.3 years old; P = .0007), had a higher body mass index (33.7 vs 30.1 kg/m(2); P = .0009), had a higher mean baseline daily urgency urinary incontinence episodes (5.7 vs 4.2 episodes; P < .0001), responded better to treatment (decrease in urgency urinary incontinence episodes, -4.4 vs -3.3; P = .0013), and were less likely to experience urinary tract infection (9% vs 27%; P = .0011). In sequence-positive samples, 8 major bacterial clusters were identified; 7 clusters were dominated not only by a single genus, most commonly Lactobacillus (45%) or Gardnerella (17%), but also by other taxa (25%). The remaining cluster had no dominant genus (13%).ConclusionDNA sequencing confirmed urinary bacterial DNA in many women with urgency urinary incontinence who had no signs of infection. Sequence status was associated with baseline urgency urinary incontinence episodes, treatment response, and posttreatment urinary tract infection risk.