Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews Published in the Urological Literature from 1998 to 2012.

Purpose: Systematic reviews synthesize the current best evidence to address a clinical question. Given the growing emphasis on evidence-based clinical practice, systematic reviews are being increasingly sought after and published. We previously reported limitations in the methodological quality of 57 individual systematic reviews published from 1998 to 2008.

Transurethral radiofrequency collagen denaturation for the treatment of women with urinary incontinence.

Background: Transurethral radiofrequency collagen denaturation is a relatively novel, minimally invasive device-based intervention used to treat individuals with urinary incontinence (UI). No systematic review of the evidence supporting its use has been published to date.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of transurethral radiofrequency collagen denaturation, compared with other interventions, in the treatment of women with UI.

Clinical practice guidelines on prostate cancer: a critical appraisal.

Purpose: Clinical practice guidelines are increasingly being used by leading organizations to promote high quality evidence-based patient care. However, the methodological quality of clinical practice guidelines developed by different organizations varies considerably. We assessed published clinical practice guidelines on the treatment of localized prostate cancer to evaluate the rigor, applicability and transparency of their recommendations.

Psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer: a Cochrane systematic review.

To evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer in improving quality of life (QoL), self-efficacy and knowledge and in reducing distress, uncertainty and depression. We searched for trials using a range of electronic databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO to October 2013, together with hand searching of journals and reference lists. Randomised controlled trials were eligible if they included psychosocial interventions that explicitly used one or a combination of the following approaches: cognitive behavioural, psycho-educational, supportive and counselling.

The impact of the extent of lymphadenectomy on oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: a systematic review.

Context: Controversy exists regarding the therapeutic value of lymphadenectomy (LND) in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

Objective: To systematically review the relevant literature assessing the impact of LND on oncologic and perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing RC for MIBC.

Evidence Acquisition: Medline, Medline In-Process, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information (LILACS) were searched up to December 2013.

Psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer.

Background: As the incidence and prevalence of prostate cancer continue to rise, the number of men needing help and support to assist them in coping with disease and treatment-related symptoms and their psychosocial effects is likely to increase.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer in improving quality of life (QoL), self-efficacy and knowledge and in reducing distress, uncertainty and depression.

Search Methods: We searched for trials using a range of electronic databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO to October 2013, together with handsearching of journals and reference lists.

Low methodological and reporting quality of randomized, controlled trials of devices to treat urolithiasis.

Purpose: We assessed the methodological and reporting quality of randomized, controlled trials of stone disease management and determined whether the reporting quality of randomized, controlled trials improved with time.

Materials And Methods: We systematically searched the literature for randomized, controlled trials of urolithiasis treatment. We developed and pilot tested a data extraction checklist based on CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) criteria as well as a clinical checklist relevant to urolithiasis, each scored as 0 to 25.

Screening for prostate cancer.

Background: Any form of screening aims to reduce disease-specific and overall mortality, and to improve a person's future quality of life. Screening for prostate cancer has generated considerable debate within the medical and broader community, as demonstrated by the varying recommendations made by medical organizations and governed by national policies. To better inform individual patient decision-making and health policy decisions, we need to consider the entire body of data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on prostate cancer screening summarised in a systematic review.

Diagnostic tests in urology: percentage of free prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? AND WHAT DOES THE STUDY ADD?: Free to total PSA ratios are commonly used as an adjunct to total PSA levels to better define an individual's risk for prostate cancer; however, its strengths and weaknesses are not well understood. This article illustrates the use of likelihood ratios that can be generated from the reported sensitivities and specificities from given free to total PSA thresholds in either increasing or decreasing an individual patient's probability of prostate cancer. Understanding the strengths and limitations of free to total PSA testing will help clinicians anticipate whether its use is indicated or not.

Tumour-seeding: a rare complication of ablative therapy for clinically localised renal cell carcinoma.

Current evidence-based clinical practice guidelines identify surgical resection as the recommended treatment of small renal masses. Ablative approaches such as laparoscopic and percutaneous cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation offer the promise of complete tumour destruction by a less-invasive approach with regard to outcomes such as anaesthesia requirements, blood loss, length of stay and time to recovery, making them appealing to patients. However, evidence of therapeutic benefits, harms and costs for these methods remains limited.

A systematic review of the quality of evidence of ablative therapy for small renal masses.

Purpose: We critically assessed the methodological and reporting quality of published studies of ablative techniques for small renal masses.

Materials And Methods: We performed a systematic PubMed® and EMBASE® literature search from January 1966 to March 2010 to identify all full text, original research publications on ablative therapy for renal masses. Six reviewers working independently in 3 teams performed duplicate data abstraction using Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology criteria, which were pilot tested in a separate sample.

Predictors of citations in the urological literature.

To assess the factors associated with increased citation rates in the urological literature by reviewing articles published in the four major urological journals to help authors improve the impact of their work. A random sample of 200 original research articles published between January and June 2004 was analysed from The Journal of Urology, Urology, European Urology and BJU International. Study information was abstracted by two independent reviewers and citation counts within 4 years of publication were collected using Web of Science(TM) .

Screening for prostate cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Objective: To examine the evidence on the benefits and harms of screening for prostate cancer.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Data Sources: Electronic databases including Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, abstract proceedings, and reference lists up to July 2010.