Biomedical subjects

Hwancheol Son

Publications and source records attributed to Hwancheol Son.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

A comparative study of patient experiences of conventional fluoroscopic and four-hour ambulatory urodynamic studies.

We assessed several emotional variables in patients experiencing conventional urodynamic and ambulatory urodynamic monitoring (AUM) to verify the hypothesis that AUM is tolerated as well as conventional urodynamics. A total of 33 women and 7 men from 23 to 72 years of age who were undergoing both procedures were prospectively included in this study. Prior to and immediately after the procedures, each patient completed a self-administered questionnaire. Answers were given on a visual analogue scale. The degree of anxiety was higher for conventional urodynamics than for AUM (p = 0.045), while the degree of boredom experienced during AUM was higher than that during conventional urodynamics (p= 0.013). There was no significant difference in the degree of shame or bother experienced by the patients during the two procedures. In general, patients tolerated both examinations extremely well. The examiner-rated degree of intolerance during conventional urodynamics was influenced by the subjective pain score (p=0.001), while all other emotional variables except bother were not significantly related with the degree of intolerance during AUM (p=0.007). A total of 74.4% and 84.6% responded that they were willing to repeat conventional urodynamics and AUM, respectively, which were not significantly different. Although AUM produced a significantly higher level of boredom than conventional urodynamics, our data demonstrates that patients are as tolerant of AUM as they are of conventional urodynamic procedures.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Patients' experience with ambulatory urodynamics. A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess emotional variables in patients who underwent ambulatory urodynamic monitoring (AUM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 33 females and 7 males aged 23-72 years with an overactive bladder who had undergone three consecutive AUM sessions were included in the study on a prospective basis. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire before and immediately after each procedure. Answers were given using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: The pre-procedural level of anxiety did not differ significantly with respect to sex, age, education level or income. The degree of bother experienced by patients aged > or = 50 years was higher than for those aged < 50 years: 5 vs 2.5 (p = 0.030). As income increased, the degrees of pain (p = 0.016), bother (p = 0.013) and boredom (p = 0.010) decreased. Other emotional aspects did not differ significantly according to age or income (p > 0.05). Only the subjective bother score influenced the examiner-rated degree of intolerance during AUM (p = 0.007). A total of 34 patients (85.0%) indicated that they would be willing to return for a further session of AUM. The degree of intolerance decreased at the second (p = 0.006) and third (p = 0.049) AUM sessions, whereas other parameters were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that AUM is acceptable and well tolerated by patients with bladder dysfunction.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Effect of a 'centralized intensive education system' for clean intermittent self-catheterization in patients with voiding dysfunction who start catheterization for the first time.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effects of a 'centralized intensive education system' (CIES) in terms of acquiring a proper clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) technique by patients with voiding dysfunction. METHODS: Between March 2002 and March 2003, we prospectively and consecutively enrolled 132 hospitalized patients who learnt and started CISC for the first time due to voiding dysfunction. Patients were enrolled either of two groups (the CIES group vs the 'individualized ward education system'[IWES] group) at the time of the urologic consultation for voiding dysfunction. Out of 132 patients who enrolled in the study, 112 (45 males and 67 females, mean age 57.3 with a range of 18-81) were included in the primary analyses. The questionnaire was applied immediately before discharge. RESULTS: There were similar patient demographics and clinical parameters for the CIES (n = 62) and the IWES groups (n = 50). Of 10 items including the methodology of CISC, six items discriminated significantly in favor of the CIES (P < 0.05). The patient satisfaction with CISC education was significantly different for the two groups in terms of response to the questionnaire. The CIES group was found to be more satisfied with the education received than the IWES group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the number of trials to gain confidence to perform CISC in CIES group was significantly fewer than that of IWES group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that CIES might be a superior training program for the patients with voiding dysfunction to acquire a proper CISC technique to the conventional IWES.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Significance of pad test loss for the evaluation of women with urinary incontinence.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine whether the objective incontinence severity, as measured by the pad test, correlated with urethral parameters, and if the objective incontinence severity was differentiated by the incontinence types and also, if it influenced the patient's clinical outcome. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-four female patients who had undergone a tension-free vaginal tape procedure between March 1999 and May 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. The 1 hr pad test was carried out as recommended by the International Continence Society, with some modification. The mean patient age was 55.1 years (range: 28-80). Two hundred-one women (73.3%) that complained of stress urinary incontinence and another 73 women (26.7%) that had additional symptoms of urge incontinence were enrolled as study subjects. A cure for incontinence, after the tension-free vaginal tape procedure, was defined as the absence of a subjective complaint of leakage and the absence of objective leakage on stress testing, and all other cases were considered failures. RESULTS: In linear regression analysis, the Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) was the only explanatory variable influencing the objective incontinence severity. The urine leakage was significant higher in the mixed urinary incontinence group than in the stress urinary incontinence group (39.7 +/- 7.5 g vs. 30.3 +/- 2.8 g, P < 0.05). For the total patients, the failure group had a more severe preoperative objective severity than the cure group (53.2 +/- 16.6 vs. 32.0 +/- 3.0, P < 0.05). Upon a subgroup analysis, a similar result was found in the stress urinary incontinence group (87.1 +/- 8.2 vs. 29.8 +/- 2.8, P < 0.05) but not in the mixed urinary incontinence group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the amount of urine leakage as measured during the pad test may be associated with the clinical outcome, after the anti-incontinence surgery.

Diagnostic Techniques, Urological↗

PubMed2005

Factors influencing self-perceived disease severity in women with stress urinary incontinence combined with or without urge incontinence.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of patient-perceived disease severity (PPDS) on the quality of life (QoL) of women with urinary incontinence (UI) and to identify factors predicting PPDS. METHODS: A total of 109 women (mean age 54.9; range 31-77) with stress UI combined with or without urge UI were included in the primary analyses. The incontinence quality of life (I-QoL) devised during the course of this study was used to assess the QOL impact of UI. RESULTS: PPDS of women with UI increased as I-QoL scores decreased (P<0.001). When analyzed by patient characteristics and objective test results, PPDS increased only with the number of episodes (P=0.005) and pad test weight increased (P=0.010). By multivariate regression analysis, patients who complained of UI "three to four times a day or more" had 6.4-fold higher risk (P=0.027) of perceiving that their symptoms were more severe than those who complained of a UI "one to two times per week or less." Patients with a pad test weight of >25 g had a 4.7-fold higher risk of perceiving their symptoms were more severe than those with a pad test weight of <15 g. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the frequency of UI episodes and the volume of urine loss are associated with PPDS. In addition, the I-QoL scores deteriorated significantly as the PPDS of incontinence increased. Thus, PPDS may impact on the QoL of women with stress UI combined with or without urge UI.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2005

Quality of life and disease severity in Korean women with stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether disease severity influences quality of life using the Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire and to determine the factors that effectively reflect disease severity in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A total of 109 women (mean age 54.9 years, range 31 to 77) with UI were included in the primary analyses. Data from the responses to the Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaires, 1-hour pad testing, uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine volume measurements, and videourodynamic study were included for analysis. Of the 109 patients, 24 (22.0%) were mildly, 53 (48.6%), moderately, and 32 (29.4%) severely affected, respectively, as determined by self-perceived severity. RESULTS: The Incontinence Quality of Life total scores were associated with several variables, including self-perceived disease severity (P < 0.001), type of UI (P = 0.009), number of UI episodes (P = 0.022), association with no specific activity (P = 0.017), and maximal flow rate (P = 0.027). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that self-reported disease severity (P < 0.001) was a potential risk factor of a poorer quality of life. The perceived severity of UI increased with stress pad weight (P = 0.010) and the number of UI episodes (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that self-perceived disease severity significantly influences the quality of life of patients with SUI. Although UI episodes or the number of pads used have been routinely used to evaluate SUI severity, strategies for assessing SUI should also incorporate self-perceived disease severity.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Effect of glycine on recovery of bladder smooth muscle contractility after acute urinary retention in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of glycine on the recovery of bladder smooth muscle contractility after acute urinary retention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bladder overdistension was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by an infusion of saline (twice the threshold volume), maintained for 2 h. From 15 min before emptying of the bladder until 2 h after, saline or glycine solution was infused i.v. At 30 min, 2 h and 1 week after bladder emptying, samples of bladder tissue were taken for muscle strip study, malondialdehyde (MDA) assay, ATP assay, Western blotting for apoptosis-related molecules (Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3), and histological analysis including terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labelling staining. The results were compared among normal control, saline-treated and glycine-treated rats. RESULTS: In the glycine-treated group, muscle strip contractile responses induced by electrical-field stimulation and carbachol were both significantly greater at 1 week after bladder emptying than in the saline-treated group. The results of the ATP assay appeared to correspond with those of the muscle strip study. The saline-treated group had significantly higher MDA levels at 30 min after bladder emptying than the glycine-treated group. At 2 h after bladder emptying, there was significantly more apoptosis and greater leukocyte infiltration in the saline-treated group than in the glycine-treated group. While pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase-3 were down-regulated, Bcl-2 was up-regulated in the glycine-treated group. CONCLUSION: Glycine infusions might improve the contractile responses of bladder smooth muscle after acute urinary retention by reducing oxidative damage and apoptosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Preoperative maximal flow rate may be a predictive factor for the outcome of tension-free vaginal tape procedure for stress urinary incontinence.

This study examined factors potentially predicting on the outcome of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure for stress urinary incontinence. A total of 60 women (aged 35-71 years, mean 57) with at least follow-up of 2 years were included in the study. The tension-free vaginal tape procedure was performed under local anesthesia except in two patients. At the latest follow-up 50 (83.3%) were cured of stress urinary incontinence. Two patients had new-onset urge symptoms without urge incontinence episodes. Multivariate regression analysis showed maximal flow rate to be associated with 0.9-fold risk of the failure; no other parameters had statistical significance. Our results confirm the feasibility and safety of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure and demonstrate that preoperative low maximal flow rate may be associated with the failure of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Patient experience with a urodynamic study: a prospective study in 208 patients.

PURPOSE: We assessed several emotional variables, including anxiety, pain, shame and morbidity, in patients who underwent a urodynamic study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 208 patients of 20 to 81 years old (mean age 54.3) were included in the study. Of the patients 71 (34.1%) were male and 137 (65.9%) were female. Prior to and immediately after the procedure each patient completed a self-administered questionnaire. Answers were given on a visual analog scale. All patients received an antibiotic for 3 days after the investigation and urine was collected for culture 7 days after the investigation. RESULTS: Patient initial anxiety did not significantly depend on demographics. The mean degree of pain +/- SEM experienced by patients was higher in males than in females (3.1+/- 0.2 vs 2.4 +/- 0.2, p = 0.012). Pain scores correlated with pre-procedure anxiety scores but the relationship was weak ([pain] = 0.283[anxiety] + 1.766, r = 0.157, p = 0.024). On the other hand, female patients showed a significantly higher mean level of shame than males (3.6 +/- 0.3 vs 1.8 +/- 0.3, p <0.001). In general patients cooperated extremely well during the examination. By the stepwise method only bother was associated with tolerance ([tolerance] = 0.182[bother] + 2.753, r = 0.275, p <0.001). Seven patients (3.4%) had significant bacteriuria and received antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that urodynamic studies are well tolerated by male and female patients in all age groups. However, emotional support depending on gender prior to the urodynamic procedure might enhance the level of patient cooperation.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Tension-free vaginal tape procedure for the treatment of mixed urinary incontinence: significance of maximal urethral closure pressure.

PURPOSE: We investigated factors predicting persistent urge incontinence after the tension-free vaginal tape procedure in patients with mixed urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1999 and May 2003 female patients with complaints of urinary incontinence were evaluated according to our protocol. After the tension-free vaginal tape procedure patients were followed at 1, 6 and 12 months, and yearly thereafter. A total of 274 women (stress urinary incontinence in 201 and mixed urinary incontinence in 73) with followup at least greater than 6 months were included in the study. The cure of stress induced incontinence after the procedure was defined as an absent subjective complaint of leakage and objective leakage on stress testing. All other cases were considered failures. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the cure rate for stress induced incontinence between patients with stress and mixed urinary incontinence. However, 12 of 73 patients (16.4%) with mixed urinary incontinence had persistent urge incontinence. Thus, the overall cure rate was significantly higher in the stress incontinence group than in the mixed incontinence group (95.5% vs 78.1%, p <0.001). On multivariate analysis maximal urethral closure pressure was associated with a 0.9-fold risk of persistent urge incontinence after the procedure in patients with mixed urinary incontinence (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99, p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that low maximal urethral closure pressure may be associated with persistent urge incontinence after the tension-free vaginal tape procedure in patients with mixed urinary incontinence.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Tension-free vaginal tape procedure for urinary incontinence with low Valsalva leak point pressure.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the outcome of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for stress urinary incontinence with low Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) and identified factors predicting the outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 221 women 29 to 80 years old (mean age 55.2) were included in the study. The TVT procedure was performed mostly using local anesthesia. Mean followup was 10.5 months (range 6 to 52). Patients were divided into 61 with low (less than 60 cm H2O) and 160 with higher (60 cm H2O or greater) VLPP. Cure of incontinence was defined as an absent subjective complaint of leakage and absent objective leakage on stress testing. RESULTS: The overall cure rate was significantly lower in patients with low vs higher VLPP (82.0% vs 93.1%, p = 0.013). In women with low VLPP multivariate analysis indicated that urge symptoms and low maximal urethral closure pressure were independent factors for treatment failure (OR 15.12, 95% CI 1.90 to 120.61, p = 0.010 and OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.99, p = 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The cure rate after the TVT procedure is lower in women with VLPP less than 60 cm H2O compared to those with higher VLPP. Our findings suggest that women with urge symptoms and low maximal urethral closure pressure should be considered to be at high risk for failure after the TVT procedure.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Reasons for discontinuation of sildenafil citrate after successful restoration of erectile function.

AIM: To investigate the reasons for discontinuations of sildenafil after the successful restoration of erectile function. METHODS: One hundred fifty six patients, whose scores of erectile function domain of the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) increased to 26 or more after sildenafil medication, were included in this study. Six-months after the first sildenafil prescription, compliance to medication and the reason for discontinuity were reviewed by chart or surveyed by telephone. RESULTS: Fifty-four (34.6 %) of the 156 successfully treated patients discontinued sildenafil medication. The reasons for discontinuance were shortcomings in the partners' or patients' emotional readiness for the restoration of sexual life after long-term abstinence (37.0 %), fear of possible side effects (18.5 %), recovery of spontaneous erection (14.8 %), postponement of ED treatment because of co-morbid disease treatment (11.1 %), unwillingness to accept drug-dependent erection (7.4 %), high drug cost (3.7 %), unacceptability of planned sexual activity (3.7 %) and lack of sexual interest (3.7 %). CONCLUSION: The reasons for discontinuing sildenafil medication were primarily emotional or relationship-oriented, which indicates that simple recovery of a rigid erection is insufficient to restore sexual activity. More education about the effects of drug and the counseling of both partners is recommended to promote the successful recovery of sexual activity.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Potentiation of apomorphine effect on sildenafil-induced penile erection in conscious rabbits.

AIM: To investigate a possible potentiation effect of apomorphine (APO) on sildenafil-induced penile erection in the conscious rabbit. METHODS: Erection of male New Zealand White rabbits (3.5 - 4.0 kg, n=12) was assessed by measuring the length of the uncovered penile mucosa and the duration of erection before and after intravenous administration of agents. After injection of APO (0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.4 mg/kg), sildenafil was administered intravenously in a dose-response manner (0.5, 1 and 5 mg/kg). In additional experiments, the effect of increasing doses of sildenafil in combination with APO on systemic blood pressure was evaluated. RESULTS: Systemic administration of sildenafil induced a dose-dependent increase in the penile length. Intravenous injection of APO alone did not produce any change in the penile length, while significantly enhanced the penile erection induced by sildenafil. The co-administration of 0.1 mg/kg of APO and 1 mg/kg of sildenafil was found to be the most effective combination in producing penile erection. Intravenous administration of sildenafil caused a concentration-dependent decrease in systemic blood pressure, but no additional decrease was observed with co-administration of APO. CONCLUSION: APO enhances the penile erection induced by sildenafil in the conscious rabbit without causing an additional decrease in blood pressure.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Microsurgical vasovasostomy after failed vasovasostomy.

PURPOSE: We analyzed our experience with repeat microsurgical vasovasostomy after failed vasovasostomy and elucidate the possible predictors of surgical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 62 repeat vasectomy reversal cases with followup data available. Regardless of the intraoperative observation of sperm in the vasal fluid bilateral microsurgical 2-layer vasovasostomy was performed when surgically possible. Of these 62 patients 60 (97%) underwent bilateral (58) or unilateral (2) vasovasostomy and 2 (3%) underwent unilateral vasovasostomy with contralateral epididymovasostomy. RESULTS: Patency and pregnancy followup data were available on 62 and 42 patients, respectively. The overall patency and pregnancy rates achieved were 92% and 57%, respectively, and the natural birth rate was 52%. Increased age of the wife proved a negative prognostic factor for pregnancy (p = 0.018). The intraoperative detection of sperm and other factors, including obstructive interval, reconstruction type, anastomotic site, patient age and postoperative semen parameters, did not influence the surgical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the detection of sperm in the intravasal fluid during the operation repeat microsurgical vasovasostomy resulted in a better outcome than in other studies, in which adopted epididymovasostomy was done when sperm was absent from the vas fluid. Our study suggests that compromised anastomosis after previous surgery is the most common cause of failed vasovasostomy. We recommend that microsurgical vasovasostomy should be performed preferentially in failed vasovasostomy cases.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Studies on self-esteem of penile size in young Korean military men.

AIM: To investigate the flaccid and stretched penile sizes of young Korean men and their complexes or pride about their penile size. METHODS: After an explanation and agreement to the purpose and methods of this study, 123 Korean men in their early 20's visiting the Jinhae Military General Hospital were included in the study. The flaccid penile length, flaccid mid-shaft circumference, stretched length and pre-pubic bone fat pad depth were measured in a warm comfortable environment. The accuracy the subjects assessed their penile size was investigated by asking them to rate their penile size, as 'very small', 'small', 'normal', 'large'or 'very large', All subjects were asked to complete the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI) test. RESULTS: The mean flaccid length, flaccid circumference, stretched length and fat pad depth of the 123 subjects were (6.9+/-0.8) cm, (8.5+/-1.1) cm, (9.6 +/-0.8) cm and (1.1 +/-0.4) cm, respectively. The answer distribution on penile size was 1 (0.8 %) 'very small', 29 (23.6 %) 'small', 86 (69.9 %) 'normal', 6 (4.9 %) 'large' and 1 (0.8%) 'very large'. Subjects who underestimated their penile size showed significantly higher scores on the hypochondriasis (Hs), depression (D) and psychasthenia (Pt) subscales of the MMPI than those in the Unbiased Group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In consultation, with a patient requesting penile augmentation, the urologist should consider the psychologic attitude of the patient to his penile size.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Impact of varicocele on testicular volume in young men: significance of compensatory hypertrophy of contralateral testis.

PURPOSE: We examined the impact on ipsilateral testicular volume in young men with varicocele and determined whether compensatory hypertrophy exists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April and November 2001, 2,700 men who were 20 years old and dwelling in the community were randomly selected at a 10% sampling fraction after a sampling process according to census district. A total of 2,080 men (77% response rate) agreed to participate in the study. All volunteers underwent standard evaluation, including medical history and physical examination. RESULTS: Testicular volume on the affected side in men with varicocele was significantly smaller than that of the contralateral side, while testicular volume on the contralateral side was significantly larger than that of the left side in normal men. In those with unilateral varicocele testicular volume on the affected side did not depend on varicocele grade but contralateral testicular volume in men with grade I varicocele was significantly smaller than in men with higher grades of the entity. The rate of testicular atrophy increased depending on varicocele grade. CONCLUSIONS: Varicocele negatively impacts testicular volume on the affected side in young men. Our findings suggest that men with higher grades of varicocele have a hypertrophied testis on the contralateral side.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A different female partner does not affect the success of second vasectomy reversal.

The aim of the study was to determine whether the pregnancy rate with the same female partner or younger partners was higher compared with different or older partners after undergoing repeated vasectomy reversal. A total of 44 patients were enrolled in the present study. The cause of reversal in patients with the same partner was the desire to have more children in 14 cases, the loss of a child in 7 cases, and the desire for a son in 7 cases. Patients were asked about pregnancy and childbirth during follow-up visits and by telephone or mail. Following microsurgical vasectomy reversal, patency was observed in 38 men (86.4%). Twenty-five of the couples (56.8%) achieved pregnancy without any artificial conception technique. We did not observe a significant difference in the pregnancy rate (57.1% vs 56.3%, P=.954) between patients with the same or a different female partner. In the multivariate model used, partner age was the only independent predictor for pregnancy. Patients with a partner less than 35 years old had a 4.1-fold greater chance (odds ratio, 4.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-16.10; P=.041) of pregnancy than those with a partner 35 years old or older. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for partner age was 73.0% (95% confidence interval 56.8-89.2, P=.011). Our findings suggest that repeat microsurgical vasectomy reversal still remains a reasonable choice for patients with different female partners. However, it should be considered that the likelihood of achieving pregnancy after repeat vasectomy reversal may decrease with advancing age of the female partner.

Adult↗