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Purpose: It has been reported that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure was associated with the increasing risk of various diseases. Utilizing the data from the general population of the U.S., we tried to assess the association between PAHs exposure and KS. Methods: The dataset was extracted from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2016. The hydroxylated metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) were detected as representative of urinary PAHs. Ranking-based PAHs score was used to evaluate the total PAHs exposure burden. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between PAHs exposure and KS after adjusting a series of confounding factors. Results: 8975 eligible participants were included. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, after adjusting confounding variables, 2-hydroxynaphthalene (OR 1.38, 1.16–1.65; p = 0.038) and 9-hydroxyfluorene (OR 1.39, 1.06–1.84, p = 0.019) were still observed to have significant positive correlations with the prevalence of KS, respectively. The incidence of KS increased significantly with the increase of total PAHs burden (p for trend = 0.011). Significant interaction effects were observed in the subgroup of gender (p for interaction < 0.05). Among female participants, PAHs exposure was more significantly correlated with KS. Higher 2-hydroxynaphthalene (OR 1.94, 1.39–2.70; p < 0.001), 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (OR 1.57, 1.07–2.30; p = 0.022) and 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (OR 1.85, 1.11–3.06; p = 0.018) were significantly associated with the increased incidence of KS in women. Conclusions: There is a significant association between a high level of PAHs exposure and increased prevalence of KS. In particular, in the female population, the relationship between PAHs exposure and KS is especially significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous study compared limited number of parameters post the treatment of cold knife and laser urethrotomy for urethral stricture and controversy about the superiority of those two techniques still remains. This study aims to update the evidence and provide better clinical guidance. Method: We systematically searched Pubmed, Embase, ClinicalTrial.gov, and Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials for articles comparing cold knife and laser urethrotomy for urethral stricture. Parameters including maximum urinary flow (Qmax), recurrence, reoperation, complications, operation time, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score were compared using RevMan 5.3. Results: Seven articles involving 453 patients were eventually included. The cold-knife group had better 6-month Qmax (MD – 0.95, 95% CI – 1.49 to – 0.41) and similar 3-month and 12-month Qmax compared with the laser group. No significance was observed regarding the comparison of recurrence rate. The laser group had lower risk of bleeding (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01–0.43), lower rate of reoperation (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.19–0.81) and longer operation time (MD 4.09, 95% CI 3.35–4.82). There was no significant difference in terms of other complications and VAS pain score. Conclusion: Cold knife and laser urethrotomy had similar efficacy regarding short-term and long-term recurrence rate and Qmax, except that the cold-knife group had slightly better 6-month Qmax. However, the laser group had less risk of bleeding and lower rate of reoperation but also longer operation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The necessity to cease anticoagulation before photoselective vaporization (PVP) surgery remains nonconsensual. We aimed at assessing the efficacy and safety of PVP among high-risk benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) patients on or off anticoagulation. Methods: We systematically searched Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). 2299 patients from 11 studies were eventually included. Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) was employed to assess the quality and risk of bias of each study. All statistical analyses were conducted with Review Manager v.5.3 software. Results: Ten parameters (operation time, laser time, blood transfusion, urethral stricture, urinary tract infection, reoperation, dysuria, capsule perforation, catheterization time, and re-catheterization) from patients on or off anticoagulant therapy were collected. The patients without anticoagulants performed better at catheterization time [MD − 0.54, 95% CI (− 0.82, − 0.26), P = 0.96, I2 = 0] with a reduction of 0.54 day than those on anticoagulants. Significant statistical difference was not observed from other parameters. Subgroup analysis, grouped by the power output of PVP systems (80 W, 120 W and 180 W), consistently showed no statistical significant difference except at catheterization time in the 180-W PVP subgroup. Conclusion: PVP, a safe and effective option for high-risk BPH patients, work comparably regardless of anticoagulant therapy, despite non-anticoagulant patients have shorter catheterization time. It is implied that the use of anticoagulants might be unnecessary to stop for high-risk BPH patients undergoing PVP for the sake of safety, which certainly requires further investigations to confirm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety profiles of different phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) administrations for erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetic men, including on-demand (PRN) and regular regimens (OAD). Materials and methods: Searches were carried out in four electronic databases: PubMed (until April 17th, 2017); Scopus (until April 17th, 2017); Embase (until April 17th, 2017); and Cochrane (until April 18th, 2017). The outcomes for this study are as follows: (1) Global Assessment Question (GAQ) positive response rate; (2) changes from baseline to the end of the study in Erectile Function Domain of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF); and (3) treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). The comparative effects of PDE5I regimens were analyzed with random-effect models in a Bayesian Framework using the GeMTC R package. Results: We identified 1056 records, of which 15 randomized trials with 5274 patients were included. The included studies covered eight kinds of PDE5I administration: avanafil PRN; mirodenafil PRN; sildenafil PRN; tadalafil PRN; tadalafil OAD; udenafil PRN; udenafil OAD; vardenafil PRN; and placebo. In surface under the cumulative ranking curve analysis, vardenafil PRN ranked first, third and first, and mirodenafil PRN ranked second, first and second in GAQ, IIEF-EF, and TRAEs, respectively. Conclusions: PDE5I administrations were generally efficient and well-tolerated in diabetic men. Among these administrations, vardenafil PRN and mirodenafil PRN seem to have a possible advantage of efficacy and avoiding adverse effects compared to others. There is no significant difference between regular and on-demand regimens of PDE5Is. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To clarify the efficacy of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in men with premature ejaculation (PE). Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to identify all randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) and compared the results, including intravaginal ejaculation latency time, satisfaction, intercourse per-week and side effects after treatment with PDE5I or SSRIs versus placebo, combined use of PDE5I with SSRIs versus PDE5I or SSRIs alone, and PDE5I versus SSRIs for treating PE. Results: The study inclusion criteria were met by 23 studies (ten RCTs with five crossover studies) involving 6145 patients. The data synthesized from these studies indicated that the efficacy of PDE5Is and SSRIs was better than that of placebo ( p < 0.00001; p < 0.00001); however, more patients had side effects while taking PDE5Is and SSRIs ( p < 0.00001; p < 0.00001). The efficacy of the combined treatment was significantly better than that of PDE5Is or SSRIs alone ( p < 0.00001; p < 0.00001); however, more patients had side effects from the combined treatment than from SSRIs ( p = 0.0002), with no significant difference in PDE5Is ( p = 0.5). The efficacy of PDE5Is was better than that of SSRIs ( p = 0.006), and no significant difference was observed in the frequency of side effects ( p = 0.93). Conclusions: PDE5Is were significantly more effective than placebo or SSRIs for treating PE, while SSRIs were better than placebo. The combined treatment had better efficacy than PDE5Is or SSRIs alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]