The American Urological Association’s 2017 Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the American Urological Association was held from May 12 to 16 in Boston and attracted more than 12,000 participants from around the world, including clinicians, academicians, allied health professionals, and others interested in urology. The conference highlighted recent advances in the prevention, detection, and treatment of urologic conditions, with presentations focusing on the advancement of urologic patient care.
In one study, Laura E. Lamb, Ph.D., of Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Auburn Hills, Mich., and colleagues developed a rapid, noninvasive method for detecting Zika virus. The test does not require expensive equipment or trained personnel, and a positive result is indicated by a simple color change.
“This urine-based test may allow for better screening and monitoring of Zika infection in potentially exposed individuals, especially pregnant women, at the point-of-care like a doctor’s office or even in the field,” Lamb said. “Couples planning to conceive may also benefit from Zika infection testing, as Zika can be spread by sexual transmission and can remain in seminal fluid for several months after exposure. Lastly, this may allow for better surveillance of local mosquito populations.”
This test is not currently available in clinical practice, according to Lamb.
“Currently, Zika testing by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention takes two to four weeks, and often longer in the summer months when mosquito exposure and travel increases. Only pregnant women with possible exposure and people with symptoms can be tested,” Lamb said. “A test like this could be done in 30 minutes at point-of-care. As Zika infection is often asymptomatic or presents with mild, flu-like symptoms in most adults, couples trying to conceive may not know their infection status or qualify for CDC testing. This method could also be offered to couples planning to start a family to make sure that both the potential mother and father do not have Zika infection.”
For men with low-risk prostate cancer, Keyan Salari, M.D., Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and colleagues found that active surveillance is a safe and effective management strategy for carefully selected patients under 60 years of age.
“Active surveillance is an effective strategy addressing the problem of over treatment of clinically indolent prostate cancer, but data on the role of active surveillance in younger men is limited,” Salari said. “Younger men diagnosed with prostate cancer are typically counseled to undergo treatment as opposed to surveillance.”
To potentially expand the role of active surveillance to younger patient populations, the investigators evaluated the outcomes of younger men under 60 years of age who elected to pursue active surveillance of their prostate cancer.
“We found that men under 60 have acceptable outcomes on active surveillance, similar to older men with respect to the rates of undergoing prostate cancer treatment and prostate cancer-specific survival. At five years on surveillance, roughly three-fourths of men remained free from treatment, and by 10 years, over half of men were still free from treatment. We also identified higher tumor volume and prostate-specific antigen density as risk factors for failing active surveillance,” Salari said. “This is important because our younger patients tend to be more concerned over the sexual and urinary side effects of treatment, and this work provides much-needed evidence that properly selected men can safely avoid or delay treatment for a significant amount of time by employing an active surveillance strategy.”
In a study of practicing urologists, Deborah Lightner, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and colleagues found no difference in occupational spinal pain throughout career length, surgical type (laparoscopic surgeons versus open surgeons), duration of cases, or volume of cases. However, the investigators found that exercise appears to be protective, while higher weight and body mass index (BMI) were associated with an increasing number of back issues.
“This is important news for the 47 percent of urologists who blame their pain on their career. They should feel empowered to continue operating, and instead consider focusing on the portions of healthy life that exist outside the operating room,” Lightner said. “I think it’s important that our profession is not placing us at risk as previously suggested. This study correlates with non-surgeon data sets, especially on the secondary measures that the healthier you are (e.g., BMI and weight), the less bone and joint pain you’ll have.”
AUA: Benzocaine Wipes Can Reduce Premature Ejaculation
TUESDAY, May 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Benzocaine wipes may help reduce the symptoms of premature ejaculation, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA), held from May 12 to 16 in Boston.
AUA: Cycling Has No Detrimental Effect on Urinary, Sexual Function
TUESDAY, May 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The groin pain and numbness some bicyclists experience isn’t harmful to their sexual or urinary health, according to two studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association, held from May 12 to 16 in Boston.
AUA: E-Cigarettes Can Also Cause DNA Damage to Bladder Mucosa
MONDAY, May 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Both electronic cigarettes and traditional cigarettes are tied to an increased risk for bladder cancer, according to several studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association, held from May 12 to 16 in Boston.
AUA: Flibanserin Shows Promise for Sexual Dysfunction in Females
MONDAY, May 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Flibanserin (Addyi) may improve some measures of sexual dysfunction in premenopausal women, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association, held from May 12 to 16 in Boston.
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