OBJECTIVE: This study compared the effects of calcium oxalate stones and uric acid stones on male sexual function.
METHODS: We enrolled 100 patients with ureteral stones. According to the composition of the stones, they were divided into the calcium oxalate stone group and the uric acid stone group. All patients underwent ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy. General data such as age, body mass index, course of disease, stone diameter, and degree of renal hydronephrosis were compared. Sperm parameters, including sperm density, sperm viability, and sperm deformity rate, as well as International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire (IIEF-5) scores, and Quality of Life (QOL) scores, were measured and compared before and 6 weeks after the surgery.
RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in general data and sperm parameters between the two groups before the surgery (P > 0.05). However, there were significantly lower IIEF scores but significantly higher QOL scores in the uric acid stone group. In the calcium oxalate stone group, there were no statistically significant differences in sperm parameters, IIEF score, and QOL score before and after the surgery (P > 0.05). In the uric acid stone group, there were no statistically significant differences in sperm parameters before and after surgery (P > 0.05), whereas there were significantly higher IIEF scores but significantly lower QOL scores after the surgery (P < 0.05). The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the uric acid stone group was 38.18% (21/55), which was significantly higher compared to 20.00% (9/45) in the calcium oxalate stone group (P < 0.05). The multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factor related to ED was uric acid stones (odds ratio: 2.637, 95% confidence interval 1.040-6.689, P = 0.041). No statistically significant differences were found in sperm parameters between patients with and without ED.
CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the calcium oxalate stone group, patients with uric acid stones had a higher prevalence of ED and poorer sexual performance.

OBJECTIVE: There is a knowledge gap regarding long-term outcomes for males undergoing surgery for an anorectal malformation (ARM). The purpose of this study was to investigate bowel function, bladder function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in male patients with an anorectal malformation.
METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included males treated for ARM at our institution between 1994 and 2017. Bowel function was assessed with bowel function score (BFS) while urinary tract function was assessed with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) questionnaires. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was investigated using age-relevant questionnaires (KIDSCREEN and PGWBI). Patient characteristics were retrospectively collected from the medical records and descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Functional outcomes were compared with gender and age-matched controls while HRQoL was compared to normative data. The study was approved by ethics review authorities.
RESULTS: A total of 58 (44.6%) of 130 males responded to the questionnaires. Regarding bowel function, 24 (42.1%) of 57 patients and 81 (95.3%) of 85 controls, respectively, reported a well-preserved bowel function represented by a BFS ≥ 17 (p < 0.001). Soiling issues and \'feels urge\' items improved significantly with age. In a linear regression model, BFS increased significantly with age. For most parameters, the proportion of ARM patients with lower urinary tract symptoms was larger, though not significantly, compared to the controls. However, straining and stress incontinence were reported significantly more often by ARM patients. In patients and controls, voiding outcomes in terms of prevalence of having symptoms and the number of cumulative symptoms drop with increasing age. Children and adults reported similar or, in some domains, better HRQoL outcomes when compared to normative European data.
CONCLUSIONS: Bowel function is impaired in male patients with ARM but significantly improves with age. Urinary tract function was affected, but overall comparable to the controls. HRQoL was unaffected. No significant association between the studied outcomes could be shown.
METHODS: III.

The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of gastric transcatheter chemoembolization (GTC) combined with systemic chemotherapy (SYS) compared with SYS alone in managing dysphagia, and improving the quality of life (QoL) and nutritional status of patients with advanced gastric cardiac cancer (AGCC). A retrospective review was performed using data from consecutive patients with AGCC who experienced dysphagia and underwent either SYS alone or SYS combined with GTC from January 2018 to December 2022. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to address potential confounding factors. Ogilvie dysphagia scores were used to assess dysphagia, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General 7 (FACT-G7) was used to assess QoL, and the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) was used to evaluate nutritional status. After PSM, a total of 228 patients were included in the analysis, with 114 in each group. At 4 and 8 weeks after the initial treatment, the GTC + SYS group demonstrated significantly lower median Ogilvie scores compared with the SYS alone group (P<0.001). Similarly, the median PG-SGA score at 4 weeks after the initial treatment was 2.0 in the GTC + SYS group and 6.0 in the SYS alone group. The median FACT-G7 scores in the GTC + SYS group was 13.0, compared with 10.5 in the SYS alone group. These differences remained significant at 8 weeks (P<0.001). In conclusion, the addition of GTC to SYS may more effectively and promptly relieve dysphagia, improve nutritional status and enhance QoL compared with SYS alone in patients with AGCC presenting with dysphagia.

Background and Objectives: Changes in activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) of patients with bone metastasis who underwent surgical treatment through Bone Metastasis Cancer Boards (BMCBs), a recent multidisciplinary approach for managing bone metastases, have been reported; however, no reports exist on patients who undergo conservative treatment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate these patients\' ADL and QOL and examine the factors influencing changes in these parameters. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 200 patients with bone metastases who underwent conservative therapy through BMCBs between 2013 and 2021. A reassessment was conducted within 2-8 weeks after the initial assessment. Patients\' background and changes in performance status (PS), Barthel Index (BI), EuroQol five-dimension (EQ-5D) scores, and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores were initially assessed. Furthermore, we categorized patients into two groups based on improvements or deteriorations in ADL and QOL and performed comparative analyses. Results: Significant improvements in EQ-5D (0.57 ± 0.02 versus [vs.] 0.64 ± 0.02), NRS max (5.21 ± 0.24 vs. 3.56 ± 0.21), and NRS average (2.98 ± 0.18 vs. 1.85 ± 0.13) scores were observed between the initial assessment and reassessment (all p < 0.001). PS (1.84 ± 0.08 vs. 1.72 ± 0.08) and BI (83.15 ± 1.68 vs. 84.42 ± 1.73) also showed improvements (p = 0.06, and 0.054, respectively). In addition, spinal cord paralysis (odds ratio [OR]: 3.69, p = 0.049; OR: 8.42, p < 0.001), chemotherapy (OR: 0.43, p = 0.02; OR: 0.25, p = 0.007), and NRS average scores (OR: 0.38, p = 0.02; OR: 0.14, p < 0.001) were independent factors associated with ADL and QOL. Conclusions: Patients with bone metastases who underwent conservative treatment through BMCBs exhibited an increase in QOL without a decline in ADL. The presence of spinal cord paralysis, absence of chemotherapy, and poor pain control were associated with a higher risk of deterioration in ADL and QOL.

暂无摘要。

Dietary interventions represent an interesting alternative to pharmacological treatments for improving the quality of life (QoL) of subjects suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a food supplement (FS) containing a probiotic strain, bioactive peptides, and vitamins in relieving heartburn/dyspeptic symptoms in subjects with mild-to-moderate GERD. Fifty-six adult participants were randomly assigned to receive the placebo or the active FS for 28 days. Subjects were asked to record daily the frequency and intensity of heartburn episodes and the intake of over- the-counter (OTC) medications. GERD-QoL and self-assessment questionnaires were also completed every two weeks and at the end of the treatment, respectively. FS was effective in achieving a progressive and significant reduction of heartburn frequency and severity, with an intergroup significant difference at the end of the treatment period. FS group also reported a reduction in the OTC medication intake, whereas placebo administration did not modify the OTC intake. Results from the QoL and self-assessment questionnaires showed that FS administration achieved a progressive and statistically significant intragroup and intergroup improvement in the QoL score and a higher positive response with respect to the placebo treatment.

UNASSIGNED: Benefit of implant removal in spine surgery remains unclear. While there is mostly consensus about necessity of implant removal in posterior-only stabilized patients, the effect of this measure in cases with combined anterior-posterior stabilization is undetermined. With this work we present a retrospective analysis of 87 patients with traumatic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures concerning quality of life (QOL), loss of correction (LOC) and range of motion (ROM). The effect of implant removal on the outcome 18-74 months after surgery was analyzed to determine how implant removal affects radiologic, functional and quality-of life-related parameters.
UNASSIGNED: 87 patients suffering from a traumatic vertebral body fracture (T11 - L2) were included. Quality of life was determined using four different scoring systems (SF 36, VAS, Oswestry, LBOS). Clinical examination included range of motion. Radiologic findings were correlated with QOL.
UNASSIGNED: Patients with removal of the internal fixator had a trend towards better range of motion than patients with posterior instrumentation left in place. Radiologic findings showed no correlation to QOL. Implant removal led to better values in Oswestry and SF-36. 69% of patients after removal reported a reduction of their symptoms.All patients with persistence of severe pain after implant removal belonged to subgroup II.2 (anterior monosegmental fusion with bone graft).
UNASSIGNED: Removal of the internal fixator can lead to a reduction of symptoms. Patient selection is crucial for successful indication. Radiologic findings do not correlate with QOL.

UNASSIGNED: Cancers affecting the parts of the head and neck significantly impact patients. Among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, the visible signs and symptoms of the disease or the side effects of treatment modalities can cause various degrees of functional impairment such as mastication, swallowing, communication, and disfigurement.
UNASSIGNED: To assess psychological distress and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients after 3 and 6 months\' post-treatment.
UNASSIGNED: A hospital-based follow-up study was conducted among head and neck cancer patients who came for routine follow-up after treatment in five cancer hospitals in Hyderabad City. Patients were categorized based on the treatment into surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and combination of all and the same subjects were followed; after 3 months, psychological distress and quality of life were assessed by distress thermometer and functional assessment of cancer therapy head and neck (FACT H and N).
UNASSIGNED: A total of 235 participants were included in the study. Mean age was 58.2 ± 8.7 years. The mean scores of psychological distress at baseline were 4.6 ± 1.2, and after follow-up, it was 3.4 ± 1.2 and the mean scores of quality of life at baseline were 76.4 ± 15.6, and after follow-up, it was 75.5 ± 12.5.
UNASSIGNED: The mean scores of psychological distress had reduced from baseline to follow-up with negligible improvement in the quality of life.

UNASSIGNED: Urinary dysfunction is linked to spinal cord injury (SCI). The quality of life (QoL) declines in both neurogenic bladder impairment and non-disordered patients.
UNASSIGNED: To ascertain the effectiveness of pulsed magnetic therapy on urinary impairment and QoL in individuals with traumatic incomplete SCI.
UNASSIGNED: This study included forty male paraplegic subjects with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) for more than one year following incomplete SCI between T6-T12. Their ages ranged from 20 to 35 and they engaged in therapy for three months. The subjects were divided into two groups of equal size. Individuals in Group I were managed via pulsed magnetic therapy once per week plus pelvic floor training three times a week. Individuals in Group II were managed with only three times a week for pelvic floor training. All patients were examined for bladder cystometric investigations, pelvic-floor electromyography (EMG), and SF-Qualiveen questionnaire.
UNASSIGNED: There was a noteworthy increment in individuals in Group I in volume of bladder at first desire to void and maximum cystometric capacity, detrusor pressure at Qmax, and maximum flow rate. There was a momentous increment in Group I in measures of evaluation of EMG biofeedback. There was a notable rise in Group I in SF-Qualiveen questionnaire.
UNASSIGNED: Magnetic stimulation should be favored as beneficial adjunct to traditional therapy in the management of bladder impairment and enhancing QoL in individuals with SCI.

BACKGROUND: There is a limited number of studies assessing the alterations in nerve function impairment (NFI) in leprosy over an extended period of time. To the best of our knowledge, no published study has evaluated neurological state longitudinally during treatment utilizing a combination of clinical, functional (activity limitation), electrophysiological, and patient-reported quality of life (QOL) outcomes.
METHODS: This prospective, observational study included leprosy patients of all spectra. Over 1 year of treatment, cutaneous and neurological examinations were done in addition to a nerve conduction study (NCS) and sympathetic skin response (SSR) assessment. QOL and activity limitation assessments using the World Health Organization Quality of Life brief version (WHOQOL-BREF) and Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness scale (SALSA), respectively, were also performed.
RESULTS: Out of 63 leprosy patients, loss of sensation was noted in 43 (68.2%) at baseline. At the completion of treatment, proportionate change revealed no change in 18 (28.5%), restored function in 9 (14.2%), improved status in 34 (53.9%), and deteriorated NFI in only 2 (3.1%) cases. The association between NCS-SSR abnormalities was significant for a longer duration of disease at presentation (P = 0.04), in multibacillary cases [OR 9.12 (95% CI, 1.22-67.93)], in those in reaction [OR 3.56 (95% CI, 0.62-20.36)] and in those aged over 40 [OR 1.93 (95% CI, 0.28-13.41)]. There was an improvement in WHOQOL-BREF and SALSA scores at release from treatment (P = 0.005 and P = 0.01, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of leprosy patients on treatment show improvement in NFI at the completion of therapy. However, change is influenced by critical factors such as bacillary load, disease duration, age, and the presence of reaction(s).