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M R van Balken

Publications and source records attributed to M R van Balken.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Sexual functioning in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction improves after percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of lower urinary tract dysfunction and its neuromodulative therapy on sexual functioning. We studied 121 patients with an overactive bladder (OAB) (N = 83), chronic pelvic pain (N = 23) and nonobstructive retention (N = 15), which were treated with neuromodulation (i.e. percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, PTNS). To obtain information on their sexual function, a self-administered standardized questionnaire was filled out before therapy as well as after 12 weeks of treatment. Before therapy, different aspects of sexual life were considered not normal in 25.3-45.6% of the cases. This improved significantly after treatment. Patients most likely to benefit were women, patients with an OAB and subjective responders. The aspects of sexual life which mostly improved were overall satisfaction, libido and the frequency of sexual activities. Sexual dysfunction is observed in a lot of patients with lower urinary tract disorders and may improve on successful therapy for the latter.

Adult↗

Prognostic factors for successful percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: In sacral as well as tibial nerve stimulation test stimulation is the main prognostic factor for success. In our study we tried to identify prognostic patient characteristics to improve patient selection for neuromodulation therapy. METHODS: PTNS was applied to 132 patients in 8 study centers (51 men, 81 women, mean age of 53 years (range: 21-82)). 83 patients were treated for overactive bladder, 16 for non-obstructive urinary retention and 33 for chronic pelvic pain. All patients had to fill out micturition or pain diaries, as well as quality of life questionnaires before and after treatment. Patient characteristics were evaluated for their prognostic value for successful outcome of neuromodulation therapy with use of logistic regression. RESULTS: Objective success was seen in 32.6% of patients, subjective success in 51.5%. Most evaluated clinical parameters proved not to be of prognostic value. A history of sexual and/or physical abuse was found in 12 of 103 interviewed patients, but did not alter PTNS treatment outcome. However, a low total score at baseline in the SF-36 questionnaire proved to be predictive for not obtaining objective (OR 0.444 [95% CI: 0.198-0.996], p = 0.04) or subjective success (OR 0.424 [CI: 0.203-0.887], p = 0.02). Especially patients with a low SF-36 Mental Component Summary were prone to fail neuromodulation therapy: OR 0.123 (95% CI: 0.273-0.552), p = 0.006 for objective success. These patients also scored worse on disease-specific quality of life questionnaires, although they had no different disease severity compared to patients with good mental health. CONCLUSION: Bad mental health as measured with the SF-36 Mental Component Summary does not depend on symptom severity and is a negative predictive factor for success of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation. It therefore might be used as a tool for better patient selection in neuromodulation therapy.

Adult↗

Posterior tibial nerve stimulation as neuromodulative treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction.

PURPOSE: Recently, intermittent percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation was introduced as a treatment modality filling the gap between conservative and surgical therapies in patients with certain types of lower urinary tract dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective multicenter trial posterior tibial nerve stimulation was evaluated in 37 patients who presented with symptoms of bladder overactivity, that is the urgency and frequency syndrome and/or urge incontinence, and 12 with nonobstructive urinary retention. Results were recorded in voiding diaries and on quality of life questionnaires before and after treatment. Patients were classified as responders, including those in whom therapy was successful and chose to continue treatment after the initial 12 weeks, and nonresponders, those who chose to stop treatment. RESULTS: Overall, a positive response was seen in 60% of all patients. In patients with bladder overactivity a statistically significant decrease was observed in leakage episodes, number of pads used, voiding frequency and nocturia, and an equal increase in mean and smallest volume voided. Improvements were also seen in nonobstructive urinary retention, including number of catheterizations, total and mean volume catheterized, and total and mean volume voided. Disease specific quality of life and some domains of general quality of life improved, especially of bladder overactivity. Only mild side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior tibial nerve stimulation is a minimally invasive and successful treatment option for patients with certain types of lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Adult↗

Urinary NMP22 and karyometry in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with superficial bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of two outpatient urine tests with regard to the diagnosis and recurrence of bladder tumors. METHODS: Fifty patients with a history of superficial bladder cancer were evaluated with urinary NMP22 levels (cutoff level 10 U/ml), bladder wash karyometry (low versus intermediate and high risk) and cystoscopy. All patients were followed for 1 year. RESULTS: Diagnostic negative and positive predictive values (NPV and PPV) of the tests were, respectively: NMP22 91.2 and 56.3%, and karyometry 80 and 33.3%. Prognostic NPV and PPV with regard to a subsequent recurrence were, respectively: NMP22 77.8 and 27.3%, and karyometry 82.6 and 50%. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic value of NMP22 is good. Since the 3 false-negative results were in low-stage and low-grade lesions, this test could be used as a prescreening for cystoscopy. The NPV of these tests with regard to tumor recurrence is around 80%, but only karyometry has a significant PPV. Change in the follow-up policy on the basis of these tests remains difficult. In patients with neobladders NMP22 appears to be of little use, because of the high urinary NMP22 levels in the absence of malignancy.

Aged↗

The prognostic value of a primary inverted papilloma of the urinary tract.

PURPOSE: Ever since the recognition of the inverted papilloma as a distinct lesion of the urinary tract, there has been discussion about the possible (pre)malignant potential of this rare tumor, with subsequent uncertainty about followup. Hampering the discussion are the low frequency, the unknown etiology, the difficult histopathological diagnosis and the reported association with transitional cell carcinoma. We reviewed the literature and studied our patients, resulting in the largest series reported in the literature to date. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 51 patients with an inverted papilloma without a history of or a concordant transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract. Histology of all patients was reviewed. RESULTS: After review, as many as 14 patients appeared to be misdiagnosed (transitional cell carcinoma in 11). In 37 patients, we could confirm the diagnosis of inverted papilloma, with characteristics that were highly comparable to those described in the literature. Only 1 patient had a superficial bladder tumor after 49 months. CONCLUSIONS: Reviewing these data and our own results, we conclude that an inverted papilloma does not seem to be a risk factor for transitional cell carcinoma, although inverted papillomas and transitional cell carcinoma appear to be related to some extent. Therefore, frequent and long-term followup does not seem to be necessary provided that there is no doubt about the difficult histological diagnosis.

Adult↗