Search

Objective. This study assessed the possible associations between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in aging Taiwanese males and investigated the impact of various aspects of LUTS on ED. Methods. A free health screening for aging males (≥40 years old) was conducted in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. All the subjects had completed clinical data and answered questionnaires. ED and LUTS were assessed by validated symptom scales: the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Results. A total of 339 eligible patients enrolled in this study with a mean age of 60.1 years old. In multiple logistic regression analysis, age and IPSS ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.013, respectively) were significantly associated with ED after controlling other comorbidities. In a further age-adjusted multiple regression analysis, our results showed that irritative symptoms ( p = 0.042) have a more significant association with ED than the obstructive symptoms ( p = 0.101). Conclusions. Our results indicate that age and LUTS are the two most independent risk factors for ED. Aging Taiwanese males with LUTS are at increasing risk for ED, especially for those with significant irritative symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution has been associated with daily mortality in numerous studies over the past decade. However, most of these studies were conducted in the United States and Europe, with relatively few done in Asia. In this study, the association between ambient air pollution and daily mortality in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, a large industrial city with a tropical climate, was investigated for the period 1994-2000 using a case-crossover analysis. This design is an alternative to Poisson time-series regression for studying the short-term adverse health effects of air pollution. The air pollutants examined included particulate matter (PM 10 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), ozone (O 3 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and carbon monoxide (CO). No significant effects were found between PM 10 and SO 2 exposure levels and respiratory-related mortality. The well-established link between air pollution levels and daily mortality may not be as strong in cities in tropical areas, although other factors such as differences in pollutant mixtures or underlying health of the population may explain the lack of a strong association in this study. Further studies of this type in cities with varying climates and cultures are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the independent and combined effects of alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking and betel quid chewing on the risk of calcium urolithiasis. Methods: A total of 354 cases diagnosed with calcium urolithiasis and 354 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital between June 2003 and February 2007. All subjects completed a detailed questionnaire survey and provided blood and urine samples for biochemical evaluation. Results: Current cigarette smoking (odds ratio [OR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 1.11–2.50; p =0.014) and current betel quid chewing (OR, 1.97; 95%CI, 1.06–3.64; p =0.032), but not current alcohol drinking, were found to be independent risk factors for the development of calcium urolithiasis. The joint risk of current cigarette smoking and current betel quid chewing was increased 3.73-fold (OR, 3.73; 95%CI, 1.81–7.70, p <0.001) compared to those who had neither habit. Conclusions: Both cigarette smoking and betel quid chewing are independent risk factors for the development of calcium urolithiasis. The risk effect is even strengthened when subjects have both habits. These findings suggest users can greatly reduce the risk of calcium urolithiasis if they quit these two habits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]