Longitudinal Changes In Measures Research Articles

Association of longitudinal changes in 24-h blood pressure level and variability with cognitive decline.

A high office blood pressure (BP) is associated with cognitive decline. However, evidence of 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring is limited, and no studies have investigated whether longitudinal changes in 24-h BP are associated with cognitive decline. We aimed to test whether higher longitudinal changes in 24-h ambulatory BP measurements are associated with cognitive decline. We included 437 dementia-free participants from the Maracaibo Aging Study with prospective data on 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring and cognitive function, which was assessed using the selective reminding test (SRT) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Using multivariate linear mixed regression models, we analyzed the association between longitudinal changes in measures of 24-h ambulatory BP levels and variability with cognitive decline. Over a median follow-up of 4 years (interquartile range, 2-5 years), longitudinal changes in 24-h BP level were not associated with cognitive function ( P ≥ 0.09). Higher longitudinal changes in 24-h and daytime BP variability were related to a decline in SRT-delayed recall score; the adjusted scores lowered from -0.10 points [95% confidence interval (CI), -0.16 to -0.04) to -0.07 points (95% CI, -0.13 to -0.02). We observed that a higher nighttime BP variability during follow-up was associated with a decline in the MMSE score (adjusted score lowered from -0.08 to -0.06 points). Higher 24-h BP variability, but not BP level, was associated with cognitive decline. Prior to or in the early stages of cognitive decline, 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring might guide strategies to reduce the risk of major dementia-related disorders including Alzheimer's disease.

Exploring sex differences in trajectories of pubertal development and mental health following early adversity

Despite evidence that early life adversity (ELA) affects mental health in adolescence, we know little about sex differences in how distinct dimensions of adversity affect development and their corresponding effects on mental health. In this three-wave longitudinal study, 209 participants (118 females; ages 9–13 years at baseline) provided objective (salivary hormones, BMI, age of menarche) and subjective (perceived gonadal and adrenal status) measures of puberty and physical development, and reported on levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms at all timepoints. Participants also reported lifetime exposure to three distinct types of ELA: deprivation, threat, and unpredictability. Using generalized additive mixed models, we tested within each sex whether dimensions of adversity were associated with longitudinal changes in measures of pubertal and physical development, and whether these indices of development were associated with trajectories of internalizing and externalizing symptoms. In females, experiences of threat and unpredictability were significantly associated with earlier pubertal timing (e.g., age of menarche) whereas experiences of deprivation were associated with steeper increases in BMI; further, faster pubertal tempo (i.e., steeper increases in pubertal stage) was associated with increases in internalizing and externalizing symptoms. In males, however, ELA was not associated with any measures of pubertal or physical development or with symptoms. Together, our results suggest that adverse experiences during early life have sex-selective consequences for pubertal and physical maturation and mental health trajectories in ways that may elucidate why females are at higher risk for mental health difficulties during puberty, particularly following exposure to unpredictable and threatening experiences of adversity.

Prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among patients undergoing comprehensive genomic profiling testing: protocol for a multicentre, prospective, observational study

IntroductionSince May 2019, comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) has been covered by Japan’s health insurance system for patients with solid tumours that have progressed on standard chemotherapy, rare tumours or tumours...

Alterations in Measures of Body Composition, Neuromuscular Performance, Hormonal Levels, Physiological Adaptations, and Psychometric Outcomes during Preparation for Physique Competition: A Systematic Review of Case Studies.

The present paper aimed to systematically review case studies on physique athletes to evaluate longitudinal changes in measures of body composition, neuromuscular performance, chronic hormonal levels, physiological adaptations, and psychometric outcomes during pre-contest preparation. We included studies that (1) were classified as case studies involving physique athletes during the pre-contest phase of their competitive cycle; (2) involved adults (18+ years of age) as participants; (3) were published in an English-language peer-reviewed journal; (4) had a pre-contest duration of at least 3 months; (5) reported changes across contest preparation relating to measures of body composition (fat mass, lean mass, and bone mineral density), neuromuscular performance (strength and power), chronic hormonal levels (testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, leptin, and ghrelin), physiological adaptations (maximal aerobic capacity, resting energy expenditure, heart rate, blood pressure, menstrual function, and sleep quality), and/or psychometric outcomes (mood states and food desire). Our review ultimately included 11 case studies comprising 15 ostensibly drug-free athletes (male = 8, female = 7) who competed in various physique-oriented divisions including bodybuilding, figure, and bikini. The results indicated marked alterations across the array of analyzed outcomes, sometimes with high inter-individual variability and divergent sex-specific responses. The complexities and implications of these findings are discussed herein.

Phenotype-informed polygenic risk scores are associated with worse outcome in individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease.

IntroductionPatients with predementia Alzheimer's disease (AD) and at‐risk subjects are targets for promising disease‐modifying treatments, and improved polygenic risk scores (PRSs) could improve early‐stage case selection.MethodsPhenotype‐informed PRSs were developed by selecting AD‐associated variants conditional on relevant inflammatory or cardiovascular traits. The primary outcome was longitudinal changes in measures of AD pathology, namely development of pathological amyloid deposition, medial temporal lobe atrophy, and cognitive decline in a prospective cohort study including 394 adults without AD dementia.ResultsHigh‐risk groups defined by phenotype‐informed AD PRSs had significantly steeper volume decline in medial temporal cortices, and the high‐risk group defined by the cardiovascular‐informed AD PRS had significantly increased hazard ratio of pathological amyloid deposition, compared to low‐risk groups.DiscussionAD PRSs informed by inflammatory disorders or cardiovascular risk factors and diseases are associated with development of AD pathology markers and may improve identification of subjects at risk for progression of AD.

Hair Cortisol Concentration, Weight Loss Maintenance and Body Weight Variability: A Prospective Study Based on Data From the European NoHoW Trial.

Several cross-sectional studies have shown hair cortisol concentration to be associated with adiposity, but the relationship between hair cortisol concentration and longitudinal changes in measures of adiposity are largely unknown. We included 786 adults from the NoHoW trial, who had achieved a successful weight loss of ≥5% and had a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 prior to losing weight. Hair cortisol concentration (pg/mg hair) was measured at baseline and after 12 months. Body weight and body fat percentage were measured at baseline, 6-month, 12-month and 18-month visits. Participants weighed themselves at home ≥2 weekly using a Wi-Fi scale for the 18-month study duration, from which body weight variability was estimated using linear and non-linear approaches. Regression models were conducted to examine log hair cortisol concentration and change in log hair cortisol concentration as predictors of changes in body weight, change in body fat percentage and body weight variability. After adjustment for lifestyle and demographic factors, no associations between baseline log hair cortisol concentration and outcome measures were observed. Similar results were seen when analysing the association between 12-month concurrent development in log hair cortisol concentration and outcomes. However, an initial 12-month increase in log hair cortisol concentration was associated with a higher subsequent body weight variability between month 12 and 18, based on deviations from a nonlinear trend (β: 0.02% per unit increase in log hair cortisol concentration [95% CI: 0.00, 0.04]; P=0.016). Our data suggest that an association between hair cortisol concentration and subsequent change in body weight or body fat percentage is absent or marginal, but that an increase in hair cortisol concentration during a 12-month weight loss maintenance effort may predict a slightly higher subsequent 6-months body weight variability.Clinical Trial RegistrationISRCTN registry, identifier ISRCTN88405328.

Angiogenic markers and their longitudinal change for predicting adverse outcomes in pregnant women with chronic hypertension

Women with chronic hypertension are at increased risk for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Maternal serum angiogenic markers, such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and placental growth factor, can be used to triage women with suspected preeclampsia. However, data about these markers in pregnant women with chronic hypertension are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of maternal serum levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, placental growth factor, and their ratio for predicting adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with chronic hypertension. This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from January 2013 to October 2019 at the University of Vienna Hospital, Vienna, Austria. The inclusion criteria were pregnant women with chronic hypertension and suspected preeclampsia. The primary outcome of this study was the prognostic performance of angiogenic markers for the prediction of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with chronic hypertension. The accuracy of angiogenic markers for predicting adverse composite outcomes was assessed with a binomial logistic regression. The accuracy of each marker was assessed using receiver operating characteristics curves and area under the curve values. Area under the curve values were compared using De Long's test. Of the 145 included women with chronic hypertension and suspected superimposed preeclampsia, 26 (17.9%) women developed complications (ie, composite adverse maternal or fetal outcomes) within 1 week of assessment (average gestational age at assessment, 29.9 weeks) and 35 (24.1%) developed complications at any time (average gestational age at assessment, 30.1 weeks). In women who developed complications at any time, the median maternal serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 to placental growth factor ratio was 149.4 (interquartile range, 64.6-457.4) compared with 8.0 (interquartile range, 3.37-41.2) for women who did not develop complications (P<.001). The area under the curve values for the maternal serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 to placental growth factor ratio Z-score (0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-0.99) and placental growth factor level Z-score (0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-0.99) for predicting complications within 1 week of assessment were very high. The area under the curve values for new-onset edema (0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.70), proteinuria (0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.71), high mean arterial pressure (0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.54), and other symptoms of preeclampsia (0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.49-0.65) were all significantly lower than for the angiogenic markers (P<.001 for all). Women who had an angiogenic imbalance and/or proteinuria had the highest rate of complications (28/57, 49.1%). The rate of complications in women with an angiogenic imbalance and/or proteinuria was significantly higher than in women with either proteinuria, other symptoms, or intrauterine growth restriction in the absence of an angiogenic imbalance (49.1% vs 16.7%; P=.039). The highest positive and negative predictive values for predicting adverse outcomes were demonstrated by an angiogenic imbalance and/or proteinuria criteria with a positive predictive value of 49.1% (95% confidence interval, 50.4%-57.9%) and a negative predictive value of 92% (95% confidence interval, 85.5%-95.8%). Longitudinal changes in measurements of the gestational age-corrected ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 to placental growth factor up to the last measurement had a significantly higher area under the curve value than the last measurement alone (area under the curve, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-0.99 vs 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-0.95; P=.024) CONCLUSION: Maternal serum angiogenic markers are superior to clinical assessment in predicting adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with chronic hypertension. Repeated measurements of the ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 to placental growth factor seems beneficial given the better predictive accuracy compared with a single measurement alone. The use of angiogenic makers should be implemented in clinical management guidelines for pregnant women with chronic hypertension.

Physical activity and academic achievement among Norwegian adolescents: Findings from a longitudinal study.

Regular physical activity (PA) has been associated with academic achievement, but the evidence is mainly based on cross-sectional research and self-reported measures of PA. The purpose of the current study was to explore the longitudinal relationship between objectively measured PA and academic achievement among a cohort of adolescents in Norway between 2016 and 2018. As a secondary aim, an indirect relationship via waist circumference (WC) and sleep duration was assessed. Data from 599 adolescents (54.4% female, mean age at baseline±SD 13.3±0.3years) were collected annually during their three years at lower secondary school. PA was measured objectively using accelerometry. Academic achievement was assessed using grade point average (GPA) from school records. Linear regression analysis was performed to explore associations between longitudinal changes in measures of PA (Total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA]) and academic achievement directly or via mediators. Results showed no significant associations between Total PA or MVPA and academic achievement, either in the main analyses or through mediation of WC and sleep duration. The results contribute to a growing evidence base of studies showing no association between objectively measured PA and academic achievement among adolescents.

Sex-based differences in biomarkers, health status, and reverse cardiac remodelling in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction treated with sacubitril/valsartan.

AimsWe sought to determine sex‐based differences in biomarkers, self‐reported health status, and magnitude of longitudinal changes in measures of reverse cardiac remodelling among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%) treated with sacubitril/valsartan (S/V).Methods and resultsThis was a subgroup analysis of patients initiated on S/V in the Prospective Study of Biomarkers, Symptom Improvement and Ventricular Remodeling During Entresto Therapy for Heart Failure (PROVE‐HF) study. There were 226 (28.5%) women in the study. Though women had lower baseline N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), they had more rapid early reduction in the biomarker after initiation of S/V. Compared to men, women had lower average baseline Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ)‐23 Total Symptom score (67.6 vs. 71.9; P = 0.003) but showed greater linear improvement (7.4 vs. 5.5 points; P < 0.001) and faster pace of KCCQ change (P < 0.001) over the course of the trial. Women and men demonstrated similar degrees of reverse left ventricular remodelling following S/V initiation; however, women did so earlier than men with more consistent changes. These results remained unchanged with adjustment for relevant covariates. Reduction in NT‐proBNP was associated with reverse cardiac remodelling in both women and men. Treatment with S/V was well tolerated in all.ConclusionsIn women with HFrEF, treatment with S/V was associated with significant NT‐proBNP reduction, health status improvement and reverse cardiac remodelling.

Sex-based Differences in Biomarkers, Quality of Life, and Reverse Cardiac Remodeling in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction Treated with Sacubitril/valsartan

Background Among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, left ventricular [LV] EF ≤ 40%), female sex is associated with differences compared to men. Objectives To determine sex-based differences in biomarkers, self-reported health status, and magnitude of longitudinal changes in measures of reverse cardiac remodeling among HFrEF patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan (S/V). Methods This was a planned subgroup analysis of patients initiated on S/V in the Prospective Study of Biomarkers, Symptom Improvement and Ventricular Remodeling During Entresto Therapy for Heart Failure (PROVE-HF) Study. Results There were 226 (28.5%) women in the study. Though women had lower baseline N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), they had more rapid early reduction in the biomarker after initiation of S/V. Compared to men, women had lower average baseline Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ)-23 Total Symptom Score (67.6 vs 71.9; P =.003) but showed greater linear improvement (7.4 vs. 5.5 points; P Conclusions In women with HFrEF, treatment with S/V was well-tolerated, and associated with unique differences in NT-proBNP change, reverse cardiac remodeling and change in KCCQ-23 score compared to men (PROVE-HF; NCT02887183).

Dignity Therapy Helps Terminally Ill Patients Maintain a Sense of Peace: Early Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Dignity Therapy (DT) is a brief, individualized, narrative psychotherapy developed to reduce psychosocial and existential distress, and promote dignity, meaning, and hope in end of life patients. Previous studies have shown that DT was effective in reducing anxiety and depression, and improving dignity-related distress. However, less is known about its efficacy on spiritual well-being. The aim of this study is to contribute to the existing literature by investigating the effects of DT on specific dimensions of spiritual well-being, demoralization and dignity-related distress in a sample of terminally ill patients.Methods: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted with 64 terminally ill patients who were randomly assigned to the intervention group (DT + standard palliative care) or the control group (standard palliative care alone). The primary outcome measures were Meaning, Peace, and Faith whereas the secondary outcome measures were (loss of) Meaning and purpose, Distress and coping ability, Existential distress, Psychological distress, and Physical distress. All measures were assessed at baseline (before the intervention), 7–10 and 15–20 days after the baseline assessment. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Protocol Record NCT04256239).Results: The MANOVA yielded a significant effect for the Group X Time interaction. ANOVA with repeated measures showed a significant effect of time on peace and a significant Group X Time interaction effect on peace. Post hoc comparisons revealed that, while there was a decrease in peace from pre-treatment to follow-up and from post-treatment to follow-up in the control group, there was no such trend in the intervention group.Discussion: This study provides initial evidence that patients in the DT intervention maintained similar levels of peace from pre-test to follow-up, whereas patients in the control group showed a decrease in peace during the same time period. We did not find significant longitudinal changes in measures of meaning, faith, loss of meaning and purpose, distress and coping ability, existential, psychological and physical distress. The findings of our study are of relevance in palliative care and suggest the potential clinical utility of DT, since they offer evidence for the importance of this intervention in maintaining peace of mind for terminally ill patients.

TRAJECTORIES OF PHENOTYPIC MARKERS OF AGING AS PRECURSORS TO FUNCTIONAL CHANGE

Delineating trajectories of aging phenotypes is essential to understanding mechanisms of clinical disease and disability. We investigated longitudinal changes in measures of body composition, energy expenditure, and brain volumes in >900 participants (age 67.0 (IQR: 57-77) years, 48.1% male) of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging using mixed effects regression models. Computed tomography-derived thigh muscle cross-sectional area declined 754.2 cm2 per decade at age 60 years (p<0.001) and 1294.3 cm2 at 75 years (p<0.001). Energy reserves, defined as a ratio of energy-cost-to-energy-capacity measured using indirect calorimetry, decreased 11.2% per decade at 60 years (p<0.001), and 16.8% at 75 years (p<0.001). MRI-derived measures of total brain volumes declined 41.6 cm3 per decade at 60 years (p<0.001) and 44.9 cm3 at 75 years (p<0.001). Linking these findings to biological and clinical measures of aging may contribute to more accurate assessment of phenotypic age.

Longitudinal Changes in Measures of Body Fat and Diet Among Adult Tsimane' Forager-Horticulturalists of Bolivia, 2002-2010.

This study examined changes in body fat and diet among Tsimane' forager-horticulturalists and assessed how dietary shifts relate to increases in adiposity between 2002 and 2010. Longitudinal anthropometric and household-level dietary recall data from 365 men and 339 women aged ≥20years in the Tsimane' Amazonian Panel Study were used. Multilevel mixed-effects models estimated how BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, skinfolds, and fat-free mass relate to household consumption of crops, hunted or fished foods, domesticated animal products, cooking oil, and refined grains and sugar. Women's prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 22.6% and 2.4% in 2002 to 28.8% and 8.9% in 2010, respectively, and BMI increased by 0.60% ± 0.12% per year (P < 0.001). Increases in fat-free mass accounted for some of this observed weight gain among women. Men's prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 16.2% and 0.7% to 25.0% and 2.2%, respectively, and BMI increased by 0.22% ± 0.09% per year (P = 0.009). Household use of cooking oil increased and was positively associated with female BMI. Consumption of domesticated animal products did not change significantly but was positively associated with female BMI and male waist circumference. Even small increases in energy-dense market-based foods can contribute to adiposity gains among a moderately active, subsistence-based population.

REPEATABILITY AND LONGITUDINAL ASSESSMENT OF FOVEAL CONE STRUCTURE IN CNGB3-ASSOCIATED ACHROMATOPSIA

Congenital achromatopsia is an autosomal recessive disease causing substantial reduction or complete absence of cone function. Although believed to be a relatively stationary disorder, questions remain regarding the stability of cone structure over time. In this study, the authors sought to assess the repeatability of and examine longitudinal changes in measurements of central cone structure in patients with achromatopsia. Forty-one subjects with CNGB3-associated achromatopsia were imaged over a period of between 6 and 26 months using optical coherence tomography and adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy. Outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness, ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption, and peak foveal cone density were assessed. ONL thickness increased slightly compared with baseline (0.184 μm/month, P = 0.02). The EZ grade remained unchanged for 34/41 subjects. Peak foveal cone density did not significantly change over time (mean change 1% per 6 months, P = 0.126). Foveal cone structure showed little or no change in this group of subjects with CNGB3-associated achromatopsia. Over the time scales investigated (6-26 months), achromatopsia seems to be a structurally stable condition, although longer-term follow-up is needed. These data will be useful in assessing foveal cone structure after therapeutic intervention.

Mediators of longitudinal changes in measures of adiposity in teenagers using parallel process latent growth modeling

The aim of the study was to evaluate mediating effects of energy balance-related behaviors on measures of adiposity in the Dutch Obesity Intervention in Teenagers-study (DOiT). DOiT was an 8-month behavioral intervention program consisting of educational and environmental components and evaluated in 18 prevocational secondary schools in the Netherlands (n = 1,108, baseline age 12.7 years, 50% girls). Outcome measures were changes in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and sum of skinfold thickness. Self-reported consumption of sugar-containing beverages and high caloric snacks, active transport to/from school, and screen-viewing behaviors were the hypothesized mediators. Data were collected at 0, 8, 12, and 20 months. For the data analysis, parallel process latent growth modeling was used. Total sugar-containing beverages consumption mediated the intervention effects on BMI (ab = -0.01, 95%CI = -0.20, -0.001). The intervention group lowered their sugar-containing beverages consumption more than controls (B = -0.14, 95%CI = -0.22, -0.11) and this, in turn, led to smaller increases in BMI. No significant mediated effect by the targeted behaviors was found for waist circumference or sum of skinfolds. Future school-based overweight prevention interventions may target decreasing sugar-containing beverages consumption.

Is Nutritional Status Associated With Self-reported Sleep Quality in the HEMO Study Cohort?

To explore the relationship between sleep quality and common measures of nutritional status in the Hemodialysis (HEMO) Study cohort. To investigate sleep quality scores based on longitudinal changes in measures of nutritional status, adjusting for case mix, lifestyle, and comorbidity factors. Secondary analysis of the HEMO Study data. A 7-year, prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trial in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Eighteen hundred forty-six patients aged between 18 and 80 years were randomized; 1,803 (97.7%) completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Long Form (KDQOL-LF) at baseline. Mean age was 58 years, 44% were male, 64% were Black, 37% had diabetes, and 32% had hypertension; mean duration of dialysis was 3.8 years. The univariate and multivariate relationships of measures of nutritional status (i.e., serum albumin, serum creatinine, postdialysis weight, body mass index, dietary protein and energy intake, and assessment of appetite) and sleep quality assessed using the sleep subscale from the KDQOL-LF. In univariate analysis, sleep quality score decreased significantly in a linear fashion as appetite rating decreased from very good to very poor on both dialysis days (63.6 ± 21.8 to 43.6 ± 22.9, P < .0001) and nondialysis days (63.2 ± 21.6 to 40.7 ± 25.7, P < .0001), with higher scores reflecting better sleep quality. In multivariable analysis, serum creatinine was the only laboratory variable that was significantly associated with sleep quality score (β = 0.49, P = .0004). Poorer appetite on both dialysis days (β = -1.5, P < .0001) and nondialysis days (β = -1.7, P < .0001) was associated with poor sleep quality. Self-reported sleep quality was associated with appetite and serum creatinine. A simple questionnaire to assess sleep disorders in dialysis patients should be administered routinely to detect those patients at risk of sleep complaints. However, further studies are needed to determine whether improving sleep quality, directly or indirectly, would improve morbidity and mortality.

Tracking of Longitudinal Changes in Measures of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in a Population Based Cohort

We characterized how longitudinal changes in PSA, prostate size, maximum urinary flow rates and lower urinary tract symptoms track together over time. In 1990, 2,115 white men, randomly selected from the Olmsted County, Minnesota population, completed validated questionnaires during a home visit by a study assistant. A 25% random subsample underwent clinical evaluation including transrectal ultrasonography, serum PSA and assessment of maximum urinary flow rates. Examinations and questionnaires were repeated biennially through 2002. Longitudinal changes in these measurements were estimated with 2-stage models. Annualized changes were correlated and also dichotomized at various percentiles and examined in age adjusted logistic regression models predicting symptom increases in the upper 80th percentile. Correlations between changes in prostate volume, PSA levels, maximum flow rates and urinary symptoms were modest (age adjusted Spearman correlation coefficients: volume and symptoms 0.08, p = 0.06; PSA and symptoms 0.06, p = 0.20; maximum flow rate and symptoms -0.08, p = 0.05). However, PSA and prostate volume annual increases in the upper 80th percentile were each associated with an approximately 2-fold increased risk of symptom changes in the upper 80th percentile. As PSA and prostate volume changes increased from the 50th to the 90th percentiles, the odds of having symptoms in the upper 80th percentile also increased. While overall correlations among changes in each of these variables were modest, men with more rapid annual increases in PSA levels and prostate volumes were also likely to have more rapid increases in urinary symptoms.

Longitudinal changes in measures of voiding efficiency: the Olmsted county study

Longitudinal changes in measures of voiding efficiency: the Olmsted county study

Relationship of Symptoms of Prostatism to Commonly Used Physiological and Anatomical Measures of the Severity of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

In previous studies the severity of symptoms of prostatism in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia have not correlated well with prostate size, degree of bladder trabeculation, uroflowmetry or post-void residual volume. As part of a prospective cohort study of benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment effectiveness in 4 university-based urology practices, we correlated symptom severity and these commonly used measures of disease severity. Symptom severity was quantified using the American Urological Association symptom index. Analyses were based on 198 outpatients completing a standardized evaluation (84 of these men have completed 6 months of followup after treatment with prostatectomy, balloon dilation, terazosin or watchful waiting). At baseline, symptom severity was not correlated with uroflowmetry, post-void residual, prostate size and degree of bladder trabeculation. However, symptom severity was much more strongly related to overall health status than the other measures. Reduction in symptoms with treatment did correlate with improvements in uroflowmetry. This poor baseline correlation with symptoms may reflect unreliability in measurement of the physiological/anatomical variables. Alternatively, these parameters may be measuring different pathophysiological phenomena.