The Utility of Digital Rectal Examination in Estimating Prostate Volume in a Rural Hospital Setting.

Objectives: To determine the correlation between prostate volume estimated by digital rectal examination (DRE) and that estimated by abdominal ultrasound in the same patients.

Patients And Methods: Men who presented to our urology outpatient clinic with lower urinary tract symptoms were recruited in this study. We estimated the prostate size by digital rectal examination using the sliding scale as a guide and subsequently measured the prostate volume by transabdominal ultrasound.

Screening for HIV, HBV and HCV markers among drug users in treatment in rural south-east England.

Background: This study was designed as an opportunistic screening to estimate the prevalence of blood-borne viral infection among drug users in treatment in the rural population and to investigate related risk factors and use of general health services.

Methods: A total of 102 patients aged 18 years and over (78 male, 24 female) with problematic self-reported drug use, recruited between 1 February 1996 and 31 January 1997, in a mixed urban-rural population in south-east England, were interviewed for information on socio-demographic status, drug use history, HIV-related risk behaviours, hepatitis B vaccination, general practice consultations, and use of A&E departments and medical out-patient clinics. Diagnostic testing was offered to all patients for anti-HIV-1, anti-HBc, HBsAg and anti-HCV.

Hyposexuality and epilepsy: a community survey of hormonal and behavioural changes in male epileptics.

A survey of five group practices in South London identified 60 male patients currently undergoing treatment for epilepsy. Fifty-four agreed to participate in a detailed enquiry into aspects of their sexual activity and behaviour. Anterior pituitary and sex-hormone levels were measured.