(Purpose) To conduct a prospective study on the efficacy and safety of desmopressin for nocturnal polyuria.

(Materials and methods) We selected 51 Japanese men, aged ≥50 years, with complaints of nocturia and a nocturnal polyuria index of ≥0.33. We administered 25 or 50 μg desmopressin (Minirinmelt Orally Disintegrating Tablet^®), once daily at bedtime. We evaluated the nighttime urinary frequency and urine volume, nocturnal polyuria index, time to the first urination after falling asleep, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after administration. In addition, they underwent clinical examinations and blood tests at 1, 4, and 12 weeks to evaluate the safety of the drug.

(Results) We observed a decrease in the nighttime urinary frequency and urine volume, and nocturnal polyuria index, increased prolonged time to the first urination after falling asleep, and improved IPSS at and after 4 weeks, compared to baseline data. Furthermore, the drug remained effective even at 12 weeks for all parameters. We observed adverse events in 31.3% of the patients. The incidence of hyponatraemia was particularly high in 15.7% of the patients. Those with a lower serum sodium level and lesser body weight at baseline were more likely to develop hyponatraemia.

(Conclusion) Desmopressin was identified as a potential drug for the treatment of nocturnal polyuria. However, hyponatraemia, an important adverse event, resulted in treatment discontinuation in several patients. A sodium level lower than the normal level and low body weight at baseline were the risk factors for hyponatraemia.

(Introduction) In tethered cord syndrome, the lower end of the spinal cord is moored to the caudal tissue, causing various neuropathies. Bladder dysfunction often appears early. We herein evaluated children with daytime urinary incontinence in whom tethered cord syndrome was eventually diagnosed.

(Method) Eighteen children (9 males and 9 females) with daytime urinary incontinence were enrolled between March 2011 and October 2017. The causes of their urinary incontinence were investigated using spinal MRI and changes in clinical symptoms before and after untethering surgery.

(Results) The average age at the first visit was 6.3 years (range: 4-9 years). Urodynamic testing and a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) were performed in all cases of refractory daytime incontinence, and all patients with abnormal findings on either test underwent spinal MRI. The diagnosis based on spinal MRI findings was filum lipoma in eight, occult tethered cord syndrome in four, low set conus in four, conus lipoma in one, and sacral meningeal cyst in one, patient. The average observation period after untethering surgery was 66.3 months (range: 22-116 months). All the patients achieved a cure postoperatively. Four patients were treated for nocturnal enuresis by oral medication, and three patients required urological management via clean, intermittent catheterization.

(Conclusions) When treating children with daytime continence, one should consider the possibility of tethered cord syndrome, the diagnosis of which can be aided by urodynamic assessment of bladder function.

(Purpose) To translate the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire (VSQ) into Japanese and evaluate the linguistic validation of the translated VSQ.

(Methods) The translation and evaluation of the VSQ were performed through 3 steps: forward translation based on 2 urologists and discussed by another 3 urologists; the community review process, which consisted of one-on-one cognitive interviews with 20 patients by professional interviewers; backward translation by a native English speaker, which was discussed with the original author of the VSQ.

(Results) The original author of the VSQ generally approved our translation.

(Conclusion) The Japanese version of the VSQ was translated in a linguistically valid manner. It is equivalent to the original English questionnaire. It may provide a tool to assess sexual function for Japanese women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

(Objectives) We evaluated the association between immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and the efficacy of pembrolizumab therapy in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

(Methods) Data of 42 patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab between May 2018 and February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed to determine the association between irAEs and objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

(Results) IrAEs were observed in 19 patients (45.2%). Objective response was observed in 15 patients (35.7%). Thirteen (68.4%) of 19 patients who experienced irAEs showed an objective response, whereas two (8.70%) of 23 patients who did not experience irAEs (odds ratio: 15.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.70-738, P=0.006). PFS and OS in the irAE group were longer than those in the non-irAE group (PFS: hazard ratio: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.11-0.54, P<0.001; OS: hazard ratio: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.03-0.37, P<0.001).

(Conclusions) During pembrolizumab treatment, the occurrence of irAEs was significantly associated with higher response and survival prolongation in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

(Purpose) Questionnaires are frequently used to evaluate subjective symptoms in clinical practice and research on lower urinary tract dysfunction. The usefulness and reliability of questionnaires such as the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) are well known. However, elderly patients are often unable to fill out such questionnaires. There are no reports on the proportion of patients unable to complete these questionnaires and the background factors that make their use difficult. We conducted a prospective observational study to clarify these factors.

(Materials and methods) Participants were 32 patients admitted to the rehabilitation ward of our hospital who were able to urinate on their own. The mean age was 82.9±6.9 years (65-97 years), and there were 11 men and 21 women. The main causes of hospitalization were orthopedic disease (17 cases), internal medical disease (9 cases), cerebrovascular disease (4 cases), and neurological disease (2 cases). The total score on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor domains was used to evaluate patient motor function. The FIM cognitive domain total score and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score were used to evaluate cognitive function. Patients were given Japanese versions of the IPSS, IPSS-Quality of Life, and OABSS, and asked to complete 12 questions by circling the responses. If they were unable to complete the questionnaire on their own, an occupational therapist assisted them for 10 minutes. Patients were divided into three groups according to their responses to the 12 items: self-completed, completed with assistance, and not completed even with assistance. The percentage in each group was determined. The number of questions that could not be answered by self-completion was defined as the number of missing questions. Correlations between the number of missing questions and age, FIM motor domain score, FIM cognitive domain score, and MMSE score were evaluated. We also performed univariate and multivariate analyses of patient background factors for two groups: patients who could not complete the questionnaire on their own and those who could complete the questionnaire on their own. Gender, age, medical history, FIM motor domain score, FIM cognitive domain score, and MMSE score were analyzed. Twenty-eight cases, excluding four cases with missing FIM and MMSE data, were examined. Based on the evaluation of the number of missing questions described above, cutoff values for age, FIM motor domains, FIM cognitive domains, and MMSE were set. Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis were performed.

(Results) For the 12 questionnaire items, 21 patients (65.6%) were able to complete the questionnaire on their own, 6 patients (18.8%) were able to complete it with assistance, and 5 patients (15.6%) were not able to complete it even with assistance. Age, FIM motor domain score, FIM cognitive domain score, and MMSE score all showed significant correlations with the number of missing items, with correlation coefficients of 0.362 (p=0.0417), −0.435 (p=0.0183), −0.622 (p=0.000318), and −0.455 (p=0.0149), respectively. The univariate analysis showed that two background factors indicating cognitive decline prevented self-completion of the questionnaire: FIM cognitive domain score <21 points (p=0.0000518) and MMSE score <24 points (p=0.0377). Multivariate analysis showed that cognitive decline, as indicated by <21 points on FIM cognitive domains, (odds ratio 133, 95% confidence interval 7.29-2,430, p=0.000965) affected patients' inability to complete the questionnaire on their own.

(Objective)

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is largely divided into the idiopathic and secondary types. Some idiopathic cases include IgG4-related diseases, which are often similar to malignant diseases, such as lymphoma and sarcoma. The diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related disease are used and pathologic examination is necessary for a definitive diagnosis of IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis. The first choice of treatment for IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis is steroid administration, but no consensus has been established regarding its dose and tapering schedule. We investigated the significance of IgG4 in diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.

(Patients and methods)

We examined 14 cases diagnosed as idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis between April 2013 and March 2019. Serum IgG4 was measured at the time of diagnosis in 13 cases, and changes over time in serum IgG4 before and after the induction of steroid therapy were measured in 6 cases. Computed tomography-guided biopsy was performed on 4 cases.

(Results)

Of all cases, 1 patient was diagnosed as IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis and 5 patients were classified as possible group. Ten patients were administered steroid therapy. Percutaneous nephrostomy tube was placed in 3 patients and was removed in 2 of these patients after steroid therapy. The serum high levels of IgG4 were confirmed in all 4 patients who were classified into the possible group and who were treated with steroids.

(Conclusion)

Although histologic examination is necessary for the diagnosis of retroperitoneal fibrosis, tissue collection by open or laparoscopic surgery is highly invasive. CT-guided biopsy may be useful in high-risk cases, such as elderly patients on anticoagulation. After excluding other diseases in high-risk cases, response to empiric steroid therapy may be diagnostic. In the possible group, changes in serum IgG4 levels may reflect the disease condition and might be useful in determining the maintenance dose of steroids.

(Introduction)

HoLEP's role in the surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is steadily growing. In this study, a questionnaire containing questions about perioperative management was submitted to HoLEP surgeons to help establish standard surgical training procedures.

(Methods)

We sent a comprehensive 17 questionnaires on HoLEP procedures to 18 surgeons. The questionnaire asked, "Which method are you using, the 1-LOBE or 3-LOBE method?", "What educational methods are being used for surgeons?", "How long is the catheter insertion period after HoLEP?", and "What is the most difficult problem encountered in surgical HoLEP education and what aspect of training is the most emphasized?"

(Results)

Sixteen (88.9%) surgeons answered these questionnaires. Five surgeons reported using the one lobe method, five surgeons reported using the three lobe method, and four surgeons answered that it depends on the case. Regarding educational methods, the main answer was that it is important to evaluate pre-HoLEP imaging tests such as MRI and cystoscopy and to simulate surgery for education. Regarding the postoperative catheter insertion period, 1 day: 1 surgeon, 2 days: 9 surgeons, 3 days: 3 surgeons, 4 days or more: 1 surgeon. The most important thing reported for surgical education was to help beginners understand the characteristics of lasers, including direction, distance to prostate tissue, and adenoma removal.

(Conclusions)

The surgeons' responses clearly indicated some differences in practices between institutions. More detailed data from these results will provide a step towards designing standardized surgical and educational protocols for HoLEP.

(Background)

The real world's effect of new androgen receptor axis-targeted agents (ARATs) on survival of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains unclear in Japan.

(Aims)

The primary aim was to determine the clinical benefit of ARATs on survival of CRPC patients. The secondary aim was to evaluate predictive factors affecting the survival of CRPC patients.

(Patients and results)

Among 236 patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), 68 patients developed CRPC; two groups of 34 patients were treated with ARATs (A cases) or conventional ADT (V cases). In a median follow-up of 61.5 months, 20 A and 22 V cases died of cancer. Median survival time (MST) from diagnosis was 99 and 66 months for A and V cases, respectively, and MST from CRPC to death were 50.5 and 44.5 months, respectively. There were no significant differences between both cases. The hazard ratio for death from diagnosis or CRPC progression of the A cases to V cases was 0.711; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.371 to 1.362; P = 0.3037, or 0.805; 95% CI, 0.434 to 1.491; P=0.4899, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that a unique and significant independent prognostic factor from diagnosis was time to CRPC.

(Conclusions)

In this small retrospective study, we could not determine the clinical benefit of new ARATs compared with conventional ADT on survival of CRPC patients, and a unique and significant independent prognostic factor from diagnosis was time to CRPC. We need to validate these results in a future multi-institutional study.

An 88-year-old man was treated with a urethral bougie after balloon dilation for urethral stricture in 2019. In December 2020, the patient was referred to our hospital with a fever and voiding disturbance. The patient was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection at the time of admission and was treated with an antibacterial agent. Candia glabrata was detected in both the blood and urine cultures obtained on admission. However, antifungal therapy was not administered because the blood culture was negative on reexamination. Sixteen days after admission, magnetic resonance imaging revealed an abscess in the corpus spongiosum. Cystostomy and abscess drainage were performed because the corpus spongiosum abscess was worsening. Candia glabrata was detected in the abscess; therefore, we treated the patient with antifungal therapy. After 14 days of antifungal agent treatment, the corpus spongiosum abscess disappeared. An abscess of the corpus spongiosum caused by candiduria is exceedingly rare; this is the first reported case in Japan.

A 78-year-old man was referred to our institution for the evaluation of macroscopic hematuria and a bladder tumor for which we initially performed a transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. Pathological examination revealed that the tumor was a high-grade invasive urothelial carcinoma that was at least stage T2. Computed tomography scan showed a bladder carcinoma with no nodal or distant metastases. Assuming radical cystectomy, we administered two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (i.e., gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy). Unfortunately, the bladder tumor metastasized to the right internal iliac lymph node. We performed consolidative radiotherapy (54 Gy/ 27 fractions to the bladder area containing the right internal iliac lymph node). One month later, bilateral lung metastases and local penile infiltration appeared; thus, second-line chemotherapy (pembrolizumab) was added to the regimen. The patient rejected further chemotherapy after the first course of pembrolizumab. A computed tomography scan performed four months after one course of pembrolizumab therapy showed complete resolution of the metastatic lesions. As of this writing, 20 months after the first course of pembrolizumab, the patient continues to be in complete remission.