AMERICAN UROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
1998 NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING
SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
MAY 30 - JUNE 4, 1998
TITLES/DESCRIPTIONS OF SELECTED NEWSWORTHY SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACTS
Contact: Bill Glitz (703) 532-3797 or by e-mail at [email protected]
From May 30 through 12 noon on June 4, please call the Press Room
at (619) 525-6246.
Embargoed until Tuesday, June 2
Racial Variation in PSA in a Well-Defined Cohort of Men without
Known Prostate Cancer--Abstract # 894
(Oliver Sartor; 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2; podium
presentation; Room 5A and 5B, San Diego Convention Center)
In this study, researchers reviewed data from 3,040 men (909 African American men and 2,131 whites). Every man had received both a prostate specific antigen test (PSA) and a digital rectal examination or a negative prostate biopsy. None had known prostate cancer. Up to the age of 40, there was no difference between African American and white males in serum PSA levels. Then mean PSA levels in African Americans started to rise. From 50 to 59, the African Americans' mean average was 2.4 ng/ml, as compared to 1.64 ng/ml in whites. From 60 to 69, African American men's mean was 5.8, compared to 3.21 for whites. Between 70 and 79, the African American men's mean hit 9.84, compared to 3.47 for whites. The investigators conclude that racial variation in PSA is detected in all decades above the age of 40.
Effect of Sildenafil (ViagraTM) on Quality of Life Parameters in
Men with Broad-Spectrum Erectile Dysfunction--Abstract # 998
(Frances Quirk; 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2; podium
presentation; Rooms 7A and 7B, San Diego Convention Center)
This analysis assessed the effect of oral sildenafil on the quality of life of 940 men who suffered from broad spectrum erectile dysfunction (ED). The group was comprised of 281 men with organic erectile problems, 213 with psychogenic difficulties, 371 with mixed ED, and 11 who fell into the other category. The men's average age was 55, and they had suffered from erectile dysfunction for about 4 years and 10 months. The researchers took data from three European, double-blind, placebo- controlled clinical trials lasting 12 weeks. During double-blind treatment, patients received 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg of either sildenafil or placebo. The investigators measured efficacy by utilizing the International Index of Erectile Function, an event log of erectile activity, and end of treatment questions. The investigators measured Quality of Life through endpoints based on questions at the start of treatment and at 12 weeks. Overall, a segment of men tested with better mental and physical health as compared to three months previously. They felt they had improved well-being, less depression, and better self-control. Some patients on sildenafil felt they had a more satisfactory relationship with their partner and less erectile problems. The improvement in the seven Quality of Life endpoints ranged from 0% to 30%, versus -4% to 7% for patients taking placebo. The researchers concluded that oral sildenafil resulted in "significant improvements" in key Quality of Life Parameters in men with broad-spectrum erectile dysfunction.
Long-Term Survival Following Conservative Management of Localized
Prostate Cancer: Fifteen Year Follow-up Among Man Age 55 - 75--
Abstract # 963
(Peter C. Albertson; 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2;
podium presentation; Rooms 5A and 5B, San Diego Convention
Center)
These researchers studied a group of 771 men, ages 55 to 75, who were diagnosed with localized prostate cancer, during the years from 1971 to 1984. All patients in this group received conservative management, meaning no surgery or radiation; they had only hormonal therapy. Fifteen years after diagnosis, the investigators found that prostate cancer mortality was dramatically affected by the biopsy grade of the cancer at diagnosis, regardless of the man's age. After 15 years, men with high grade prostate cancer (Gleason scores greater than 7), faced a significant risk of death from prostate cancer, even when diagnosed at age 75. Men with lower grade cancers (Gleason score 2 to 6) faced a more modest risk of death in 15 years, even when diagnosed at a young age. These researchers believe that this data should assist men with treatment decision analysis, and allow clinicians to evaluate relative treatment efficacy.
Acute Urinary Retention and BPH-Related Surgery: Predicting Those
at Highest Risk and Prevention with Finasteride--Abstract # 977
(John McConnell; 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2; podium
presentation; Rooms 5A and 5B, San Diego Convention Center)
This research involved 3,040 men with symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate, who enrolled in a four-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled protocol. The investigators were studying the use of a drug, finasteride, in BPH to lower the incidence of either acute urinary retention or a surgical procedure over the four-year period. According to the researchers, patients with moderate to severe symptoms and PSA test levels above 1.3 ng/ml were at increased risk of either acute retention or surgery. They noted that finasteride markedly reduced the risk of these outcomes by approximately 50% in all subgroups over the four-year period.
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