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Denver--Studies in recent years have shown a strong correlation between lower urinary tract symptom severity and erectile dysfunction, but there have also been contradictory reports on the effect of BPH medications on sexual health.

The lower infection rate seen in these cases was impressive.

Two significant trends are having an impact on most urology practices today. First, most practices, including my own, are experiencing a decrease in reimbursement and rising overhead expenses. This ultimately translates to a decrease in net income.

Shreveport, LA--Antiseptic lavage after removal of a penile prosthesis significantly reduces the risk of infection associated with revision surgery, report the authors of a multicenter study.

AUA recently made a number of key appointments to its staff and board of directors, and the association is examining how it will adapt to changes in physician education, board certification, and training. In this exclusive interview, Joseph N. Corriere, Jr, MD, whose 1-year term as AUA president began in May, discusses these initiatives as well as a number of socioeconomic issues currently affecting practicing urologists. Dr. Corriere is professor of urology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. The interview was conducted by UT Editorial Consultant Richard D. Williams, MD, professor and chairman of the department of urology at the University of Iowa, Iowa City.

Baltimore--Researchers at the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins have identified three risk factors that help determine whether a patient's risk of death from recurrent prostate cancer is high or low following surgery. This insight will help urologists to better determine whether aggressive or conservative treatment is best for many patients, according to the authors of the study, published in JAMA (2005; 294:433-9).

Half of men who suffer from late-stage prostate cancer would consider chemotherapy a treatment option, and 65% believe the impact on quality of life outweighs its benefit, according to a new survey released by Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network.

The National Cancer Institute said it is providing a number of resources to enable cancer care and research to continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The FDA's Oncology Drug Advisory Committee has not recommended approval of atrasentan (Xinlay), an oral agent for the treatment of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Although overall physician compensation flattened out in 2004, compensation growth for specialty physicians fell behind that of primary care physicians for the first time in several years, according to a report from the Medical Group Management Association.

The AUA Foundation (formerly the American Foundation for Urologic Disease) has named John M. Huber as executive director.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has sent a second strongly worded letter to the FDA pushing for better disclosure of the blindness risk associated with phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction.

G. James Gallagher, who served as AUA's executive director for 18-plus years, died suddenly on Aug. 15 while vacationing in Delaware.

Combining physical and psychological therapy for chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS, or chronic nonbacterial prostatitis) can provide relief for many patients who have pain refractory to conventional treatments, according Stanford (CA) University researchers.

A new estimate shows that chronic prostatitis, especially nonbacterial prostatitis, is common in American men and that most diagnosis and treatment takes place in the primary care setting.

Minimally invasive transurethral microwave thermotherapy using the ProstaLund Feedback Treatment system (PLFT; ProstaLund, Los Angeles) is a safe and effective alternative to surgery in patients with symptomatic BPH and persistent urinary retention, according to Scandinavian investigators.

A study presented at the AUA annual meeting confirmed what many urologists have suspected: The sexual health of men is affected by the severity of their lower urinary tract symptoms.

Researchers at the Moores University of San Diego Cancer Center said they will begin research on a skin test to detect prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer manipulates an important group of signaling proteins called Wnts to establish itself in bone, according to scientists at the University of Michigan's Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor.

Initial findings from a continuing phase II multicenter study of docetaxel (Taxotere) as adjuvant therapy in radical prostatectomy patients at high risk of recurrence have shown that the drug is well tolerated, with reversible side effects.

The epidemiologic confusion wrought by the introduction of the PSA test in the 1990s appears to have settled down, according to a study of biopsy patterns.

The growth of prostate cancer cells can be halted by combining a form of vitamin D with low doses of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, according to results of an in vitro study by researchers at the Stanford (CA) University School of Medicine.

The Self-Cath Hydrogel intermittent urinary catheter from Mentor Corp. is designed to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in patients who must self-catheterize.

General patterns of genetic expression have been identified in postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence that are not present in postmenopausal women without the condition. This is the first step toward being able to identify patients most at risk for stress incontinence early on, with the eventual hope of helping to prevent the condition, said researchers from the University of Rochester (NY) Medical Center.

Pudendal nerve stimulation, using a pudendal percutaneous implant under neurophysiologic guidance, appears effective in treating neurogenic overactive bladder, Italian researchers reported Thursday.

Biological mesh is likely an effective material to use for the correction of medium- and high-grade anterior compartment vaginal defects and will likely be more readily adapted by the body, according to research presented here on Friday.

Data from a 13-week British study add to the mounting evidence of the efficacy of botulinum toxin (Botox) for the treatment of overactive bladder.

Two newer-generation antimuscarinic agents &#8212 solifenacin succinate (Vesicare) and tolterodine tartrate extended-release (Detrol LA) &#8212 improve symptoms of overactive bladder, but solifenacin appears to provide superior outcomes, partly because it offers a flexible dosing regimen, researchers say.