To elucidate the role of diet in the etiology of bladder cancer, we conducted a case-control study from 1996 to 1999 in Aichi Prefecture, Central Japan. Cases were patients newly diagnosed with bladder cancer, and one hospital control was selected for each case, matching gender, age, and hospital. A well-validated food frequency questionnaire was adopted to estimate intakes of nutrients and food groups. Odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for smoking and occupational history were computed using conditional logistic models. The analyses based on 297 cases and 295 controls revealed the following. 1) The more the intake of milk and dairy products, the lower the OR; the ORs across quartiles in all subjects were 1.02, 0.73, and 0.52. Fruit intake was negatively associated with the risk, particularly in men (ORs across quartiles = 0.76, 0.77, and 0.52). Green-yellow vegetables were associated with a decreased risk in the highest quartile of consumption in men (OR = 0.57). 2) Dietary intakes of retinol and saturated fatty acids were related to a reduced risk in all subjects (ORs across quartiles = 0.75, 0.54, and 0.66 and 0.55, 0.54, and 0.60, respectively). Monounsaturated fatty acids had an inverse association with bladder cancer risk in men.

Aim: Vardenafil is a highly selective phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Efficacy of vardenafil has been demonstrated in various ED populations, but that in Japanese patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) has not been assessed. Methods:This was an open-label, multicenter, flexible dose, 12-week study in patients with ED due to SCI. Following a 4-week observation period, patients received vardenafil 10 mg for 4 weeks, and based on efficacy, tolerability and patient preference, doses for the remaining 8 weeks were decided by investigators. The primary efficacy parameter was erectile function domain score of the International Index of Erectile Function. Results: Ten patients took 10 mg all through the study, while 22 patients took 20 mg after completing 4 weeks' treatment with 10 mg. The erectile function domain score increased from 12.2 at baseline to 25.0 at Last Observation Carried Forward (LOCF) in the former group and from 10.3 to 22.5 in the latter group, respectively. Importantly, there was a 5.0 point increase in erectile function domain score after up-titration in the latter group. Drug-related adverse events were observed in 22% of patients including hot flushes (9%) and headache (6%), but these were transient and mild in intensity. Serious adverse events and adverse events leading to discontinuation of the study drug were not reported. Conclusions: Vardenafil 10 and 20 mg was well tolerated and improved erectile function in patients with SCI. Of interest, erectile function was further improved by 20 mg in patients who were not sufficiently treated with 10 mg.

The effect of penile squeeze upon bladder instability was examined in 20 males and the results compared with those of anal dilatation. An uninhibited contraction of the bladder was successfully suppressed by squeezing the glans penis in 17 out of 20 patients and by dilating the anal sphincter in 20. It is concluded that this mechanical stimulus, when given to the glans penis of a normal man suffering from bladder instability, suppresses the detrusor contraction during the contracting phase but does not affect bladder tonus during the noncontracting phase.

Background Ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) is a complex pathological condition compared to erectile dysfunction (ED). A definitive classification of EjD is not established, and treatment is often delayed. Owing to its association with infertility, EjD is a serious concern, particularly in men of reproductive age. Methods The authors performed a literature search to identify the latest articles and overseas guidelines for review. Results Our new classification categorizes men into two groups as follows: (1) men with inability to ejaculate (retrograde ejaculation, anejaculation, intravaginal ejaculatory dysfunction) and (2) men requiring an abnormal time for ejaculation (premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation). In Japan, the number of men presenting with an inability to ejaculate is greater than those presenting with premature ejaculation. Pharmacotherapy is the first‐line treatment for the management of these EjD patients. Behavioral therapy is added to pharmacotherapy depending on the case. Penile vibratory stimulation or electroejaculation is indicated in some men with retrograde ejaculation and anejaculation. In cases who hope for a baby, assisted reproductive technology should be simultaneously considered not to waste time. Conclusion It is important to distinguish between EjD and ED and accurately diagnose the type of EjD for optimal treatment of this condition.

A clinical analysis was done on 303 patients diagnosed by urodynamic study as having an unstable bladder, which was characterized by uninhibited contraction of the detrusor without any overt neurogenic lesions. An age distribution histogram demonstrated 2 peaks: children less than 10 years old and patients between 60 and 80 years old. Sex was not significant in the children but men predominated in the adults. There were 68 children less than 15 years old with the chief complaints of enuresis (54 per cent), urge incontinence (41 per cent) and fever (25 per cent). The objective findings were vesicoureteral reflux in 29 children, urinary tract infection in 20 and distal urethral stenosis in 8. An unstable bladder type I, the occurrence of uninhibited contractions during the filling phase of cystometry, was found in 53 children (78 per cent). We noted several postures that the children characteristically used to resist unheralded urgency and to prevent urine from leaking. The main therapeutic regimen consisted of anticholinergics with or without antimicrobials. Several children underwent surgical intervention. Once the antireflux operation was performed followup with anticholinergics was of primary importance. The unstable bladders of 63 of the 68 children (93 per cent) have been controlled satisfactorily. The etiology of bladder instability is discussed for both groups of patients.