Benign Conditions

To guide you through the 2016 AUA annual meeting and help maximize your time, Urology Times’ editorial board has reviewed the program to identify the key trends and noteworthy research at this year’s meeting.

A novel oral TRT agent, bladder control system, and localized prostate cancer agent are among other treatments in the pipeline discussed in this round-up.

Also look for coverage of products in the pipeline for bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis, prostate cancer, and male infertility.

An increasing proportion of certifying and recertifying urologists are women, and they perform a disproportionate volume of female urology cases, researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago found.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are not just a problem with staying asleep. Difficulty with sleep may actually impact LUTS, say researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Once considered a primary option for kidney stone treatment, shock wave lithotripsy appears to be losing traction. Many urologists say its outcomes aren’t as reliable as those from ureteroscopy. But others say it remains an option that works well with proper patient selection and technique and offers what ureteroscopy doesn’t: a noninvasive option.

Overactive bladder (OAB) and falls often carry a substantial burden for patients and society as a whole, and new research suggests that treatment of OAB may lower fall risk. Learn more

Two-thirds of patients attending a urology clinic for the management of urolithiasis failed to meet physical activity guidelines. In addition, patients with recent symptomatic urolithiasis were significantly more likely to be current smokers than those without recent symptomatic urolithiasis, according to a recent study.

"With better education and research, our stone patients can decrease their disease risk and improve their overall health sooner rather than later," writes Stephen Y. Nakada, MD.

In this interview, Dr. Wong describes difficult stones, discusses the skills and training required to treat them, and outlines the role of different treatment modalities.

Despite ureteroscopy's high success results, there is still a role for shock wave lithotripsy in treating stones, urologists say.

Check out the latest new products. From Single-use ureteroscope addresses shortcomings of reusable scopes, to an App that helps IC, chronic prostatitis patients choose the right foods and much more.

The authors sought to identify factors associated with 30-day emergency department visits and readmission following URSLL.

Other pipeline products discussed in this article include an immunotherapy for metastatic bladder cancer, a treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms of BPH, and an investigational clear cell renal cell carcinoma treatment.

Learn more about these products as well as a powered exam table and an app that measures, monitors, and helps improve fertility in men.

Economic analyses of surgeries to treat SUI also do not routinely capture long-term complications, researchers say.

Study examines real-world effectiveness of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for treating overactive bladder.

When it comes to urinary stone disease, it appears that prescribers know what they’re doing. According to a study presented at the World Congress of Endourology and SWL in London, non-adherence to kidney stone medications led to a significant increase in adverse health outcomes.

In this interview, Karl-Erik Andersson, MD, PhD, discusses current treatments for common voiding dysfunctions and future directions, including central nervous system agents and combination therapies.

Findings from preclinical studies evaluating the performance of an investigational single-use digital flexible ureteroscope (Lithovue, Boston Scientific) support it as a viable alternative to current non-disposable flexible digital and fiberoptic ureteroscopes, said Brian H. Eisner, MD, at the World Congress of Endourology and SWL in London.

Other pipeline products discussed in this article include agents for urinary catheter blockage, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and overactive bladder.

The authors evaluated cumulative incidence of re-operation after various surgical procedures for urinary incontinence within 5 years.

A recent systematic review found that the total incidence of serious complications and/or sling failure with respect to incontinence was 15.3%.

A novel artificial urinary sphincter is safe and effective in men with stress urinary incontinence, according to data from a small study presented at the International Continence Society annual meeting in Montreal.

The Adjustable Transobturator Male System addresses one of the challenges with slings.