Publications by authors named "M R van Balken"

Nocturia, the need to urinate at night, is a common symptom in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Continuous positive airway pressure treatment can reduce nocturia in some patients, but the underlying mechanisms are complex and not fully understood. OSA affects the autonomic nervous system, oxidative stress and endothelial damage.

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Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is associated with an increased risk of kidney stone formation. This is not observed after sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

Objectives: Aim of this study was to assess whether preoperative metabolic profiling is helpful in selecting the most optimal bariatric procedure for patients with a kidney stone history.

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Article Synopsis
  • Cancer patients should take an active role in their treatment decisions by collaborating with healthcare professionals, but they first need accurate information about their options and side effects.
  • Misinformation from various media sources can complicate patients’ understanding, highlighting the need for improved health literacy to combat false health practices.
  • The paper identifies gaps in cancer literacy across Europe, particularly among disadvantaged social groups, and emphasizes the importance of boosting patient knowledge to enhance treatment experiences and outcomes.
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Objective(s): To analyze the decision-making process of both male and female sterilization in order to improve counselling and prevent regret after sterilization in the future.

Study Design: An online questionnaire regarding sterilization (counselling, sources of information and regret) was promoted on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. A total of 1107 men and women who had undergone or considered sterilization in the Netherlands filled in the questionnaire.

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Lower urinary tract symptoms are common complaints in ageing people. For a urological evaluation of such complaints in men, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is used worldwide. Previous quantitative studies have revealed serious problems in completing this questionnaire.

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