Abstract Background Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) significantly expanded health insurance coverage, it remains unclear whether increases in care affordability have been offset by other barriers. Methods We use the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) to assess whether self-reported delays or inability to obtain necessary health care due to insurance coverage-related barriers have risen in the years following ACA implementation. We also assess whether these barrier

Abstract Individuals may experience differences, discrepancies, disparities, and inequalities in the health services available or accessible to them. Urinary incontinence is a health condition that still lacks public awareness and acknowledgement, despite its negative impact on quality of life. Disparity of services for individuals who experience urinary incontinence may result in exacerbation of clinical symptoms. This disparity may be multifactorial, ranging from lack of kn

Abstract Background and objective- European Association of Urology Guidelines Urological infections significantly impact individuals’ well-being and quality of life due to their widespread occurrence and diverse clinical manifestations. This work aims to provide evidence-based guidance on diagnosing, treating, and preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and male accessory gland infections, while addressing crucial public health aspects related to infection control and anti

Abstract Background: Penile constriction rings are most used for sexual pleasure and the management of sexual dysfunction. However, they pose a risk of injury and can be challenging to remove when strangulation occurs. Case description: We present a case of a patient with urinary retention and a strangulation injury from a penile constriction ring present for 19 h before initial presentation. Multiple attempts to remove the penile ring were unsuccessful, and ultimately, opera

Abstract Importance When becoming eligible for Medicare, adults previously covered by Medicaid expansion are typically required to meet an asset test for Medicaid coverage of Medicare cost-sharing and/or premiums through the Medicare Savings Program (MSP). It is unclear whether MSP or overall Medicaid coverage is higher in states that waive the MSP asset test than in states that do not. Objective To examine patterns of Medicaid coverage in the first year of Medicare enrollm

Abstract Objectives Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) results are needed more rapidly to support antimicrobial stewardship and improve patient outcomes. Diagnostic microbiology laboratories receive hundreds of urine samples daily from patients with suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) in both community and inpatient settings. Bacteriostatic boric acid preserves microbial contents during transport but may interfere with rapid AST methods. This study aimed to assess th

Abstract Neural damage at any level of the neuraxis can lead to urogenital dysfunction, involving the lower urinary tract (LUT) and/or the sexual organs. The LUT consists of the bladder and the urethra (plus the prostate in males); LUT dysfunction can manifest as an underactive bladder, leading to urinary retention, or as an overactive bladder, leading to urinary incontinence. Manifestations of sexual dysfunction include loss of libido and dysfunction of erection, ejaculation

Abstract Background: Severe lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in neurologically and anatomically normal children is uncommon and frequently underdiagnosed. When severe, functional voiding disorders may closely mimic obstructive or reflux pathology, leading to diagnostic errors, unnecessary invasive procedures, and potential risk to the upper urinary tract. Case presentation: We present three pediatric cases (aged 3–10 years) referred for recurrent febrile urinary tract i

Understanding the Link Between Overactive Bladder and Fall Risk in Adults Objective of the Study Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and loss of independence in adults. The connection between overactive bladder (OAB) and fall risk has not been thoroughly explored. This study evaluates the relationship between OAB and fall history in a nationally representative sample of US adults aged 20-69 years. Methods Used in the Research We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of adul

Abstract Importance Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are the primary provider of institutional postacute care. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been reports of SNFs reducing their capacity, affecting access to care and disrupting hospital discharges, yet little empirical evidence exists. Objective To describe changes in SNF capacity after 2020 and assess whether changes were associated with staffing shortages and hospital discharge outcomes. Design, Setting, a

Introduction Adequate staffing is critical to the effective operation of health care facilities. This is particularly true in nursing homes, where the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services considers staffing to have “the greatest impact on the quality of care nursing homes deliver.” 1 Yet, most nursing homes staff below the levels that clinicians, researchers, and advocates consider adequate. 2 Various state and federal proposals have aimed to raise staffing through paym

Abstract Importance Telemedicine use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained a regular component of health care delivery. However, the financial implications of this change for health systems’ reimbursement and utilization remain unclear. Objective To compare 30-day episode charges and subsequent visits after telemedicine and in-person index visits. Design, Setting, and Participants The target trial emulation conducted in this comparative effectiveness

Abstract Concerns about low physician participation in Medicaid have long motivated policy reforms, but the extent to which enrolled physicians actually care for Medicaid patients remains unclear. To assess patterns of Medicaid participation among physicians, we linked physician enrollment files to Medicaid administrative claims from the period 2019–21, focusing on five physician specialties: cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, primary care, and psychiatry. We examined th

ABSTRACT Background Maintenance of adequate physical functioning is key for lifelong health, particularly for an ageing society with increasing health care needs. We aimed to assess the association of two objective physical function (PF) measures with functional capacity (FC) outcomes, while also exploring the underlying trends. Methods This was a repeated cross-sectional study. We used data from a nationally representative survey of middle-aged and older Chinese individuals

Abstract Importance Extraintestinal invasive Escherichia coli infections are a leading cause of sepsis and hospitalization, further complicated by increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance. Objective To describe the US epidemiology of invasive E coli infections and their clinical and molecular features. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study used active laboratory- and population-based surveillance data from 9 US sites with a total population of more t

Abstract Purpose Hot flashes are a common side effect reported by men receiving androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for the treatment of prostate cancer. We sought to determine whether oxybutynin could improve hot flash symptoms in men with prostate cancer. Patients and Methods Patients with prostate cancer receiving a stable regimen of ADT with at least 28 hot flashes per week were randomly assigned to receive either oxybutynin 2.5 mg twice daily, oxybutynin 5 mg twice daily,

Abstract Purpose: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a major disease that causes lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as abdominal pressure, urgency, residual urine, weak urination, and delayed urination in elderly men. We attempted to identify risk factors for the development of BPH-LUTS, including particulate matter (PM). Materials and methods: We utilized customized research database of the National Health Insurance Corporation. A total of 2,200,546 subjects were in

Abstract Objectives To characterise contemporary UK practice in prostate MRI reporting and pathways, and identify priorities for standardisation. Methods Between February and April 2025, a questionnaire was distributed by the British Society of Urogenital Radiology to UK-based consultant radiologists who report prostate MRI. It contained 34 questions, covering 6 domains: demographics; MRI protocols; biopsy; reporting preferences; imaging pathways; and attitudes towards accred

ABSTRACT Background The presence of intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) in the urothelium has been well documented in adults with chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), but its long-term persistence going undetected in a severely symptomatic adolescent has not been reported. Case Summary We present the case of a 14-year-old girl suffering from debilitating chronic UTI symptoms and associated urinary incontinence for many years. Multiple antibiotic courses provided on

Background: Frailty and falls significantly impact the health and quality of life of older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), increasing morbidity and dependency. However, their association in Vietnamese populations remains understudied. This study aimed to examine the association between frailty and fall risk and identify additional fall-related factors among older Vietnamese outpatients with T2D. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 740 outpatients with T2