PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: A total of 219 subjects were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: OAB subjects (n=189) and controls without OAB symptoms (n=30). Three-day voiding diaries and questionnaires were collected, and urinary levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), prostaglandin E2, and adenosine triphosphate were measured and normalized to urine creatinine (Cr). Baseline characteristics and urinary levels of markers were analyzed. A receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic performance of urinary markers. Urinary levels of markers according to subgroup and pathogenesis of OAB were evaluated. Correlation analyses were used to analyze the relationship between urinary levels of markers and voiding diary parameters and questionnaires. RESULTS: There was no difference between the 2 groups with regards to age, sex ratio, or urine Cr (P>0.05). The urinary levels of NGF/Cr were higher in OAB subjects than in controls (P < 0.001). Urinary NGF/Cr was a sensitive biomarker for discriminating OAB patients (area under the curve=0.741; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.79; P=0.001) in the ROC curve. The urinary levels of NGF/Cr were significantly higher in OAB subjects than in controls regardless of subgroup or pathogenesis. Correlation analysis demonstrated urinary urgency was significantly related to urinary NGF/Cr level (correlation coefficient, 0.156). Limitations include a relatively wide variation of urinary markers. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary NGF is a potential biomarker that could serve as a basis for adjunct diagnosis of OAB.
Adenosine Triphosphate* ; Adenosine* ; Biomarkers* ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis* ; Dinoprostone* ; Humans ; Nerve Growth Factor* ; ROC Curve ; Sex Ratio ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive*

PURPOSE: Many surgeons worry about postoperative voiding problems in patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and detrusor underactivity (DU). This study hypothesized that adjusting the tension after surgery would benefit patients with DU, and therefore researchers evaluated the outcomes and quality of life of women with SUI and DU who underwent the readjustable sling procedure (Remeex). METHODS: The medical records of 27 patients who were treated with the Remeex system for SUI and DU between 2007 and 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The incontinence visual analogue scale (I-VAS), incontinence quality of life questionnaire (I-QOL) and the Sandvik incontinence severity index (ISI) were used to evaluate the efficacy of the Remeex system both prior to surgery and at the last visit after surgery. The treatment was considered successful if there was no urine leakage based on the Sandvik questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 38.0 months (range, 1–75 months), and the treatment success rate was 81.5%. Despite no urine leakage, 7 patients wanted the Remeex system to be removed due to persistent postoperative urinary retention within a year of surgery. One patient underwent a long-term adjustment under local anesthesia 6 years after the initial surgery. The I-VAS, ISI and all domains of the I-QOL scores improved significantly postoperatively and the maximum flow rate decreased significantly after the procedure. However, the postvoid residual did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The Remeex system provided a good cure rate and improved the quality of life of women with SUI and DU. Therefore, the Remeex system should be considered as a treatment option for female patients with concomitant SUI and DU.
Anesthesia, Local ; Female* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Suburethral Slings ; Surgeons ; Urinary Incontinence* ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; Urinary Retention

PURPOSE: This study aimed to set priorities for improving the medical device distribution structure and to suggest an innovative improvement plan for the distribution structure using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, focusing on stakeholders in the medical device industry. METHODS: This study conducted a survey with 35 specialists using the AHP method, which is a multiple-criteria decisionmaking methodology, in order to set priorities for improvement plans to address the problems faced by the medical device distribution structure. RESULTS: The AHP analysis showed that supply stability was the most important factor, followed by greater transparency, efficiency, smart supply, and cost reduction. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to establish a stable supply system and manage crises through supply stability, as well as to provide opportunities for fair trade through greater transparency. As steps towards those goals, we propose establishing a unique device identification system, an information disclosure system, online distribution, and a group purchasing organization system in Korea.
Disclosure ; Group Purchasing ; Korea ; Methods ; Online Systems ; Specialization