Veerle Decalf

Cognitive factors influencing treatment decision-making in patients with localised prostate cancer: development of a standardised questionnaire.

Abstract Background: Men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer have to make a well-informed treatment choice between (robot-assisted) radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy and, in selected cases, brachytherapy and active surveillance. We developed and validated a questionnaire to determine the cognitive reasons motivating this choice. Materials and methods: The Prostate Cancer Decision-Making Questionnaire (PC-DMQ) was designed in-house and validated through the Delphi method. Finally, we tested the questionnaire in a cohort of 24 men, recently diagnosed with localised PC, before undergoing RARP (n = 16), EBRT (n = 6), brachytherapy (n = 1) or active surveillance (n = 1). Results: The experts reached consensus after three rounds. In the patient cohort, 75% of men undergoing RARP chose this treatment because ‘it provides the best chance of cure’. Reasons to choose EBRT were not as explicit: 33.3% chose this treatment because ‘it provides the best chance of cure’ and 33.3% because ‘the maintenance of potency is important to them’. Conclusions: The PC-DMQ is a comprehensive and standardised tool that allows further research into cognitive factors that influence treatment decision-making in patients with localised PC.

Urodynamic studies in children: Standardized transurethral video-urodynamic evaluation

OBJECTIVE The aim was too demonstrate standardized video-urodynamic study (VUDS) in children using a transurethral catheter and pressure transducers. METHODS Data necessary to obtain urodynamic evaluation of bladder sphincter function were gathered by concomitant measurement of bladder, urethral, and abdominal pressure. A 7F transurethral triple-lumen water-filled catheter was used for measuring the bladder and sphincter pressures and a water-filled 8F catheter connected to a pressure transducer was inserted into the rectum for pressure measurement. Cystometry was combined with fluoroscopy, providing simultaneous voiding cystourethrography information. Detrusor activity, bladder sensation, capacity, and compliance were measured during filling cystometry. Voiding cystometry consisted of recording pressures in the bladder sphincter and abdomen with simultaneous urinary flow measurement. RESULTS Transurethral VUDS was safely and easily performed in a clinical setting adapted to children. CONCLUSIONS A good and reproducible UDS is mandatory for correct therapeutic decisions. A standardized study associated with fluoroscopic assessment is presented in this video.

Clean Intermittent Self-Catheterization as a Treatment Modality for Urinary Retention: Perceptions of Urologists

Purpose Clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) is now considered the gold standard for the management of urinary retention. In the literature, several articles on patients’ perspectives on CISC and adherence to this technique have been published. No studies have yet explored the points of view of professional caregivers, such as nurses and doctors. The aim of this study was to explore the opinions of urologists about CISC and to evaluate the need for dedicated nurses specialized in CISC through a self-administered questionnaire. Methods A questionnaire was developed to explore the opinions of professional caregivers about self-catheterization and to evaluate the need to provide nurses with specialized education in CISC. Questionnaires were sent to 244 urologists through email. We received 101 completed questionnaires. The response rate was 41.4%. Results Hand function, the presence or absence of tremor, and visual acuity were rated as the most important determinants for proposing CISC to a patient. Twenty-five percent of the urologists reported that financial remuneration would give them a greater incentive to propose CISC. The lack of dedicated nurses was reported by half of the urologists as a factor preventing them from proposing CISC. A meaningful number of urologists thought that patients perceive CISC as invasive and unpleasant. Although most urologists would choose CISC as a treatment option for themselves, almost 1 urologist out of 5 would prefer a permanent catheter. Conclusions This questionnaire gave valuable insights into urologists’ perceptions of CISC, and could serve as the basis for a subsequent broader international study. Further research should also focus on the opinions of nurses and other caregivers involved in incontinence management. Apart from financial remuneration, it is also clear that ensuring sufficient expertise and time for high-quality CISC care is important. This could be a potential role for dedicated nurses.

A different way to study frequency volume charts in patients with nocturia

Nocturia results from a mismatch between bladder capacity and nocturnal urine production (NUP), which is determined with a frequency volume charts (FVC).

Smart diapers for nursing home residents with dementia: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate the use of an experimental smart diaper as an indicator of saturation for diaper change in persons with dementia living in nursing homes. Methods: A multicenter prospective study was conducted in 3 nursing homes amongst 18 residents with dementia. For each resident, a frequency–volume urine chart (FVUC) was kept for 24 h including voided volume and diaper weights, wearing smart diapers. A comparative study was set up between results obtained by smart diapers and data registered in FVUCs. Results: Analysis based on quantification of the agreement between saturation calculated by smart diaper and determined by FVUC indicates that measurements reported by sensor do not correspond with measurements based on FVUC. For the regular diaper, the saturation measured by sensor may be 26% below or 39% above saturation based on FVUC and for the super diaper, respectively, 34% below or 30% above. Discussion: This study indicates that the sensor detects and notifies wetness but is not sensitive enough for using it as an indicator for diaper change in people with severe dementia.

Pathophysiology of nocturnal lower urinary tract symptoms in older patients with urinary incontinence

To explore the mismatch between functional bladder capacity and nocturnal urine production, and to study the pathophysiology of an increased nocturnal urine production in older patients with urinary incontinence.