COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PROSTATE VOLUME MEASUREMENT USING TRANSABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND, TRANSRECTAL ULTRASOUND, AND MRI: A RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY Introduction: Prostate volume (PV) measurement is crucial for managing prostate conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Its range can be measured using different imaging modalities like transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate, which were compared in this study. Methods: A single tertiary centre retrospective observational analysis was conducted on PV measurements obtained through TAUS, TRUS, and MRI prostate from the same patients prior to biopsy. The mean of PV from each imaging modality was analysed using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and a Tukey post hoc test, with p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Only 311 out of 718 patients who underwent TRUS biopsy from January 2018 until December 2022 were eligible for this study based on the inclusion criteria. The median age and PSA were 71 years old and 7.5 ng/mL, respectively. No significant difference was found across the means of the imaging modality and PV measurement among the imaging modalities (F = 0.713, p = 0.49). The Tukey post hoc test also revealed no significant difference between each modality, namely TAUS-TRUS (p = 0.45), MRI-TRUS (p = 0.79), and TAUS-MRI (p = 0.85). Conclusion: This study demonstrated no statistically significant relationship in prostate volume measurements from the three different imaging modalities, namely TAUS, TRUS, and MRI.

INTRODUCTIONAlthough Singapore national guidelines recommend influenza vaccination for individuals with comorbidities, the vaccine uptake remains relatively low. This study examines the rates of influenza vaccine prescriptions in a clinic population, and patient, doctor and clinic factors that could affect the vaccine prescribing rates.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis retrospective review utilised electronic medical records from HIV-infected patients seen in an infectious disease (ID) specialist clinic. Data from 40 randomly selected patients per physician were analysed for the outcome of influenza vaccine prescriptions from 1 January to 31 December 2007. All 7 consultants and the 6 ID registrars who had spent at least 4 months in the Department during 2007 were included. Data analysed included patient, physician, and clinic characteristics, and clinically relevant outcomes of admission within a year, and the length of hospital stay.

RESULTSOf the 461 HIV-infected patients analysed for this study, only 107 (23%) were prescribed influenza vaccine in 2007. Vaccine prescribing rates by individual physicians ranged from 0% to 77%. The outcome of vaccine prescribing was analysed by patient demographics (age >40 years, gender, race), physician characteristics (doctor grade, gender and training), and clinic volumes (number of patients per clinic session). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients with female doctors (OR 1.8, 95% CI, 1.1 to 3.0, P = 0.017), and doctors with overseas medical training (OR 11.6, 95% CI, 6.0 to 22.2, P <0.001) were significantly more likely to have influenza vaccine prescribed. On univariate analysis, patients were more likely to be admitted if they were male (OR 2.1, 95% CI, 1.0 to 5.1, P = 0.041), and over 40 years old (OR 2.1, 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.5, P = 0.024). Patients prescribed influenza vaccine showed a non-significant trend for protection against admission (OR 0.7, P = 0.288), and shorter length of stay (median 5 vs 9 days, P = 0.344).

CONCLUSIONInfluenza vaccine prescribing for HIV-infected outpatients in 2007 was only 23%, even in an ID specialist clinic. There was substantial variability in prescribing rates by individual physicians. Neither patient demographics nor patient volumes per clinic session had an impact on the prescribing rates, but significant predictors included physician gender and medical school training. Patients prescribed influenza vaccine had fewer admissions and shorter hospital lengths of stay, although these trends were non-significant.

Adult ; Drug Prescriptions ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; HIV Infections ; complications ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; immunology ; Influenza Vaccines ; pharmacology ; Influenza, Human ; prevention & control ; Male ; Prescription Drugs ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Vaccination ; trends