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Biomedical subjects

Charles W Nager

Publications and source records attributed to Charles W Nager.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A comparative study of water perfusion catheters and microtip transducer catheters for urethral pressure measurements.

The aim of this study was to compare the maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) measures with two different techniques: water perfused catheter and microtip transducer catheters with respect to reproducibility and comparability for urethral pressure measurements. Eighteen women with stress urinary incontinence had repeat static urethral pressure profilometry on a different day using a dual microtip transducer and water perfused catheter (Brown and Wickham). The investigators were blinded to the results of the other. The microtip measurements were taken in the 45 degrees upright sitting position with the patient at rest at a bladder capacity of 250 ml using an 8 Fr Gaeltec double microtip transducer withdrawn at 1 mm/s, and the transducer was orientated in the three o'clock position. Three different measures were taken for each patient. Three water perfusion measurements were performed with the patient at rest in the 45 degrees upright position at a bladder capacity of 250 ml using an 8 Fr BARD dual lumen catheter withdrawn at 1 mm/s. The mean water perfusion MUCP measure was 26.1 cm H2O, significantly lower than the mean microtip measure of 35.7 cm H2O. The correlation coefficient comparing each water perfusion measurement with the other water perfusion measures in the same patient was excellent, at 0.95 (p = 0.01). Correlation coefficient comparing each microtip measure with the other microtip measure in the same patient was also good, ranging from 0.70 to 0.80. This study confirms that both water perfusion catheters and microtip transducers have excellent or very good reproducibility with an acceptable intraindividual variation for both methods.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Quality of life in women with stress urinary incontinence.

The objective of this study was to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with incontinence-related quality of life (QoL) in 655 women with stress urinary incontinence who elected surgical treatment. The following factors were examined for their association with QoL as measured with the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ): number of incontinence (UI) episodes/day; self-reported type of UI symptoms (stress and urge); sexual function as measured by the Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire; symptom bother as measured by the Urogenital Distress Inventory; as well as other clinical and sociodemographic factors. A stepwise least-squares regression analysis was used to identify factors significantly associated with QoL. Lower QoL was related to the greater frequency of stress UI symptoms, increasing severity, greater symptom bother, prior UI surgery or treatment, and sexual dysfunction (if sexually active). Health and sociodemographic factors associated with lower incontinence-related QoL included current tobacco use, younger age, lower socioeconomic status, and Hispanic ethnicity.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Effects of pelvic floor muscle contraction on anal canal pressure.

The role of pelvic floor muscle contraction in the genesis of anal canal pressure is not clear. Recent studies have suggested that vaginal distension increases pelvic floor muscle contraction. We studied the effects of vaginal distension on anal canal pressure in 15 nullipara asymptomatic women. Anal pressure, rest, and squeeze were measured using station pull-through manometry techniques with no vaginal probe, a 10-mm vaginal probe, and a 25-mm vaginal probe in place. Rest and squeeze vaginal pressures were significantly higher when measured with the 25-mm probe compared with the 10-mm probe, suggesting that vaginal distension enhances pelvic floor contraction. In the presence of the 25-mm vaginal probe, rest and squeeze anal pressures in the proximal part of the anal canal were significantly higher compared with no vaginal probe or the 10-mm vaginal probe. On the other hand, distal anal pressures were not affected by any of the vaginal probes. Ultrasound imaging of the pelvic floor revealed that vaginal distension increased the anterior-posterior length of the puborectalis muscle. Atropine at 15 micro g/kg had no influence on the rest and squeeze anal pressures with or without vaginal distension. Our data suggest that pelvic floor contractions increase pressures in the proximal part of the anal canal, which is anatomically surrounded by the puborectalis muscle. We propose that pelvic floor contraction plays an important role in the fecal continence mechanism by increasing anal canal pressure.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Determinants of vaginal length.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe quantitatively the associations between total vaginal length and demographic, historic, and physical characteristics. STUDY DESIGN: At 2 clinical sites, patients completed a standardized questionnaire and physical examination. Bivariate correlations explored relationships between total vaginal length and demographic, historic, and examination variables. Significant variables were evaluated with a multivariate linear regression model. RESULTS: The study included 3247 women. Hysterectomy and pelvic reconstructive surgery contribute 0.63 cm and 0.22 cm, respectively, to total vaginal length shortening; 10 years of age decreases total vaginal length by 0.08 cm. One meter of height and 10 kg of weight increases total vaginal length by 0.09 cm and 0.02 cm, respectively. Menopause is associated with a shortening of total vaginal length by 0.17 cm. CONCLUSION: Although there appears to be statistically significant associations between total vaginal length and the aforementioned factors, the impact is unlikely to be clinically significant.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

From the simple to the sublime: incorporating surgical models into your surgical curriculum.

Financial and time constraints have limited graduating residents' operative experience, making the use of models a necessary adjunct to a complete surgical curriculum. Models are useful tools to teaching surgical skills outside the operating room. They can be very realistic and complex, or they can be simple and economical. Models are developed to represent the anatomic arrangements seen in human patients, and to reproduce the biomechanical tasks necessary to complete a surgical case. Bench model laboratories are well-received by trainees and steepen the learning curve in the operating room.

Female↗
PubMed2006

Parity, mode of delivery, and pelvic floor disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the associations between parity, mode of delivery, and pelvic floor disorders. METHODS: The prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse, stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and anal incontinence was assessed in a random sample of women aged 25-84 years by using the validated Epidemiology of Prolapse and Incontinence Questionnaire. Women were categorized as nulliparous, vaginally parous, or only delivered by cesarean. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each disorder were calculated with logistic regression, controlling for age, body mass index, and parity. RESULTS: In the 4,458 respondents the prevalence of each disorder was as follows: 7% prolapse, 15% stress urinary incontinence, 13% overactive bladder, 25% anal incontinence, and 37% for any one or more pelvic floor disorders. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of disorders between the cesarean delivery and nulliparous groups. The adjusted odds of each disorder increased with vaginal parity compared with cesarean delivery: prolapse = 1.82 (95% CI 1.04-3.19), stress urinary incontinence = 1.81 (95% CI 1.25-2.61), overactive bladder = 1.53 (95% CI 1.02-2.29), anal incontinence = 1.72 (95% CI 1.27-2.35), and any one or more pelvic floor disorders = 1.85 (95% CI 1.42-2.41). Number-needed-to-treat analysis revealed that 7 women would have to deliver only by cesarean delivery to prevent one woman from having a pelvic floor disorder. CONCLUSION: The risk of pelvic floor disorders is independently associated with vaginal delivery but not with parity alone. Cesarean delivery has a protective effect, similar to nulliparity, on the development of pelvic floor disorders when compared with vaginal delivery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Functional correlates of anal canal anatomy: puborectalis muscle and anal canal pressure.

BACKGROUND: Resting and squeeze pressures in the anal canal are thought to reflect the contributions of the internal anal sphincter (IAS) and the external anal sphincter (EAS) respectively. Role of the puborectalis muscle (PRM) in the genesis of anal canal pressure is not known. OBJECTIVES: To determine the functional correlates of anal canal anatomy. METHODS: Seventeen asymptomatic nulliparous women were studied using simultaneous 3D ultrasound images and manometry of the anal canal. Ultrasound images were recorded using a transducer placed at the vaginal introitus and pressures were recorded with a side-hole manometry catheter using a station (every 5 mm) pull-through technique. Pressures were recorded at rest and during voluntary squeeze. RESULTS: Anal canal high pressure zone was 39 +/- 1 mm in length. The IAS, EAS, and PRM were clearly visualized in the ultrasound images. EAS was located in the distal (length 19 +/- 1 mm) and PRM in the proximal part (length 18 +/- 1 mm) of the anal canal. The station pull-through technique revealed increases in pressure with voluntary squeeze in the proximal as well as distal parts of the anal canal. Proximal anal canal pressure, located in the PRM zone, showed greater circumferential asymmetry than the distal anal canal pressure, located in the EAS zone. CONCLUSIONS: (1) PRM contributes to the squeeze pressure in the proximal part of the anal canal and EAS to the distal anal canal. (2) PRM squeeze-related increase in anal canal pressure might be important in the anal continence mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Epidemiology of prolapse and incontinence questionnaire: validation of a new epidemiologic survey.

The epidemiology of prolapse and incontinence questionnaire (EPIQ) was developed to screen for female pelvic floor disorders (PFD). Content and face validity, reliability, internal consistency and criterion validity of the EPIQ to detect the presence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), stress urinary incontinence (SUI), overactive bladder (OAB) and anal incontinence (AI) is presented. Cronbach's alpha; Spearman's, kappa, intraclass correlations, factor analysis and Chi-Squared tests were used for analysis. Questions related to PFD proved internally consistent (alpha = 0.91) and reproducible (correlations >0.70) for all but three items on the EPIQ. Positive and negative predictive values of the EPIQ to detect PFD were: POP = 76% and 97%, SUI = 88% and 87%, OAB = 77% and 90% and AI = 61% and 91% respectively. EPIQ is a psychometrically validated screening instrument that may identify women at high risk of having pelvic floor disorders in large undiagnosed populations.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The vaginal pressure profile.

AIMS: To describe the vaginal pressure profile in asymptomatic nulliparous women. METHODS: Fourteen nulliparous women without symptoms of anal or urinary incontinence were studied with vaginal manometry. A rapid pull-through technique utilized a four-channel water-perfused catheter on a motor-driven puller to create a pressure profile for each subject. The profiles were measured with the subject at rest and during a sustained contraction of the levator ani muscle. The individual subject's pressure profiles were averaged to create a composite profile at rest and during squeeze. RESULTS: The vaginal pressure profile at rest and during squeeze contains three pressure zones: proximal, mid, and distal. The pressure is highest in the mid pressure zone and was labeled as the vaginal high-pressure zone. In the vaginal high-pressure zone, the maximum pressure during squeeze is significantly higher than the maximum pressure at rest (P < 0.05). The length of the high-pressure zone is longer during squeeze as compared to rest (P < 0.05). The maximum pressures exhibit circumferential asymmetry with the pressures in anterior and posterior directions being significantly higher than those in the lateral directions (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The vaginal pressure profile is more complex than previously described. Understanding of the vaginal pressure profile is crucial when employing vaginal manometry to assess pelvic floor muscle strength or as a surrogate for intra-abdominal pressure.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Anal incontinence in women presenting for gynecologic care: prevalence, risk factors, and impact upon quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and impact upon quality of life of anal incontinence (AI) in women aged 18 to 65. STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive women presenting for general gynecologic care were given a bowel function questionnaire. Women with AI were prompted to complete the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL). RESULTS: The cohort was composed of 457 women with a mean age of 39.9 +/- 11 years. AI prevalence was 28.4% (95% CI 24.4-32.8). After logistic regression, IBS (OR 3.22, 1.75-5.93), constipation (OR 2.11, 1.22-3.63), age (OR 1.05, 1.03-1.07), and BMI (OR 1.04, 1.01-1.08) remained significant risk factors. The mean FISI score was 20.4 +/- 12.4. Women with only flatal incontinence scored higher, and women with liquid loss scored lower on all 4 scales of the FIQL. CONCLUSION: AI is prevalent in women seeking benign gynecologic care, and liquid stool incontinence has the greatest impact upon quality of life.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Evidence for the innervation of pelvic floor muscles by the pudendal nerve.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the pudendal nerve innervates the levator ani muscles by assessing the effect of pudendal nerve blockade on pelvic floor muscle function. METHODS: Eleven nulliparous women without symptoms of anal or urinary incontinence were studied before and after pudendal nerve blockade with vaginal manometry, electromyography of the external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle, and 3-dimensional transperineal ultrasound imaging of the urogenital hiatus during rest and squeeze. RESULTS: After pudendal nerve blockade, mean vaginal resting pressures decreased from 19 +/- 10 mm Hg to 15 +/- 10 mm Hg (P < .05), and mean vaginal squeeze pressures decreased from 61 +/- 29 mm Hg to 37 +/- 24 mm Hg (P < .05). After pudendal nerve blockade, the anterior-posterior length of the urogenital hiatus increased from 51 +/- 4 mm to 55 +/- 5 mm at rest (P < .05) and increased from 47 +/- 3 mm to 52 +/- 5 mm during squeeze (P < .05). Resting and squeeze electromyography amplitude of the external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle was markedly reduced by pudendal nerve blockade. CONCLUSION: Pudendal nerve blockade decreases vaginal pressures, increases length of urogenital hiatus, and decreases electromyography activity of the puborectalis muscle, all of which suggest that the pudendal nerve does innervate the levator ani muscle.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Predictive value of prolapse symptoms: a large database study.

We sought to describe the relationship between patient symptoms and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and report the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of these POP symptoms. Two urologists and four urogynecologists developed a standardized pelvic floor questionnaire based on face validation for use at three female pelvic floor disorder clinics. Specific questions related to prolapse included questions on urinary splinting, digital assistance for defecation, and a bulge per vagina. Prolapse was assessed with the standardized Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantitative (POP-Q) terminology. The analysis included 1912 women. Urinary splinting was uncommon (< 10%) when Ba < 0, but ranged between 23 and 36% for stage III and IV Ba prolapse. Digital assistance was equally common in stage II Bp prolapse (21-38%) and stage III-IV Bp prolapse (26-29%). Only 6-11% of women with stage 0 or I POP reported symptoms of bulge, but with stage II it increased to 77%. Urinary splinting is 97% specific for anterior prolapse. The report of a bulge has an 81% positive predictive value and a 76% negative predictive value. Very few patients without anterior prolapse will report urinary splinting. Digital assistance for fecal evacuation is no more common with massive posterior prolapse than with moderate posterior prolapse. Patient report of a bulge is a valuable screening tool for POP and should prompt a careful exam.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Determinants of patient satisfaction after the tension-free vaginal tape procedure.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare patient satisfaction with subjective and objective measures of success. STUDY DESIGN: Satisfaction at 1-year was measured by using a self-administered written questionnaire. Success was assessed both subjectively and objectively by using the short form Urogenital Distress Inventory, stress testing, and multichannel urodynamics. Outcomes were compared to determine the relationship between satisfaction and success. Satisfied and dissatisfied patients were compared with respect to pre-, intra-, peri-, and postoperative characteristics. Student t and chi(2) tests were used for continuous and ordinal data, respectively. RESULTS: Of 66 (80%) patients, 53 were satisfied. These patients were more likely to achieve subjective cure (91% vs 62%, P=.009) but not statistically more likely to be objectively cured (92% vs 75%, P=.08). Dissatisfied patients tended to have overactive bladder symptoms, voiding difficulty, and required sling release. Other patient characteristics did not influence satisfaction rates. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction after tension-free vaginal tape procedure is highly dependent on normal bladder function. Dissatisfied patients deserve comprehensive evaluation, although objective measures may not reflect patient satisfaction.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The use of Visual Analog Scale in urogynecologic research: a psychometric evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of Visual Analog Scales in urogynecologic research. STUDY DESIGN: In phase I, 35 women completed short forms of the urogenital distress inventory, incontinence impact questionnaire, and Beck depression inventory fast screen using the Likert-type scale and Visual Analog Scale formats. Reliability was estimated with Spearman's correlations and Cronbach's alpha; construct validity was assessed with the use of factor analyses. In phase II, 101 women were recruited for the test-retest reliability assessment of the Visual Analog Scale formats of the urogenital distress inventory and incontinence impact questionnaire short forms. Reproducibility was analyzed with intraclass correlations. RESULTS: In phase I, correlations between the Likert-type scale and the Visual Analog Scale were good: urogenital distress inventory (0.748), incontinence impact questionnaire (0.787), and Beck depression inventory fast screen (0.852; P <.05). In phase II, intraclass correlations were 0.898 and 0.938 for the urogenital distress inventory and incontinence impact questionnaire scores, respectively ( P <.001). CONCLUSION: The Visual Analog Scale is a simple, reliable, and reproducible method for the assessment of quality of life in urogynecologic research.

Factor Analysis, Statistical↗
PubMed2003

The effects of the tension-free vaginal tape on voiding function: a prospective evaluation.

The impact of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) on voiding function was studied in a cohort of 103 patients. Voiding was assessed with quality of life questionnaires, non-invasive urine flow and voiding pressure-flow studies both preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon's signed ranks tests were used for analysis. Data from 65 patients were analyzed. Subjective voiding function did not change; however, maximum flow rates decreased by up to 43%: from 29 ml/s to 16 ml/s on free flow studies. This was associated with a 27% increase in detrusor pressure at maximum flow: from 15 to 19 cmH(2)O. Postvoid residuals were not clinically different, changing from a median of 15 ml to 30 ml postoperatively. Thirty-eight patients (37%) required postoperative catheterization for urinary retention (median duration 4 days). We concluded that the TVT sling reduces maximum flow rates without clinically significant effects on detrusor pressure, residual urine or subjective voiding.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The effects of the tension-free vaginal tape on proximal urethral position: a prospective, longitudinal evaluation.

This study was designed to determine the anatomic effects of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT). A cohort of 94 patients was followed for 1 year. Urethral position was quantified using the Q-tip angle. Statistical analysis employed the ANOVA and paired t tests. A total of 54 (57%) patients met the criteria for analysis. In these 54 patients the success rate was 81%. Straining Q-tip angles decreased from a mean preoperative value of 52 degrees to 28 degrees before 1 month, 34 degrees at 1-6 months, 41 degrees at 6-12 months, and 45 degrees at 1 year ( P <0.05). The postoperative resting angles remained essentially unchanged. The sling initially provides support to the proximal urethra which diminishes over time. Unchanged resting Q-tip angles confirm the tension-free concept and there appears to be no shrinkage or tightening of the sling. We concluded that the success of the TVT is not due to proximal urethral support.

Female↗
PubMed2003

A comparison of two models of gynecology service consultation to the emergency department in an academic medical center.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine differences in resource use and outcomes when emergency department (ED) physicians consult the gynecology service routinely versus selectively. STUDY DESIGN: In July 2000, an ED policy of "routine" gynecology consultation for pregnant women less than 20 weeks' gestation with pain and/or bleeding complaints changed to a policy of "selective" consultation. Resource use and outcomes were compared for 222 women who received care during the 9 months before the protocol change with 268 women who presented during the 9 months after the protocol change. RESULTS: With selective consultation, patients receiving gynecology evaluations decreased from 74% to 39%. Return visits to the ED increased from 9% to 21%. Ultrasound studies performed by ED physicians and radiologists increased, whereas studies by gynecologists decreased. Patients waited longer and received more unnecessary human chorionic gonadotropin studies. CONCLUSION: A policy of selective gynecology consultation, compared with routine gynecology consultation in the ED, increases diagnostic study resource use and patient length of stay.

Abdominal Pain↗