People who are obese and lead unhealthy lifestyles are more likely to suffer from a larger number of urinary problems, according to a population-based study of more than 5,000 men and women published in the May issue of the UK-based urology journal BJU International. Researchers hope the results will help clinicians to understand why problems occur and how they can be managed more effectively.

Benign prostate enlargement affects most of the elder men and often compresses the urethra resulting in voiding symptoms. Dutch researcher Tim Idzenga has found a way to measure the resistance of the urethra using sound: via a microphone placed behind the scrotum. The sound spectrum of the recorded sound depends on how much the urethra has been compressed. The company IQ+ Medical BV will develop this system commercially.

Men with prostate cancer who have their prostate removed cite sexual dysfunction as the most common side effect after surgery, but urinary dysfunction troubles these patients most, reports a University of Florida researcher. What’s more, many aren’t emotionally prepared to face these complications.

As many as one in four men admitted to hospital with acute urinary retention will die within a year, finds a study published on bmj.com today.

Progress toward development of a much-needed test for early detection of cancer of the urinary bladder and for monitoring patients after treatment is being reported in an article scheduled for the July 6 issue of ACS Journal of Proteome Research.

University of Rochester researchers announce in the current issue of Applied Optics a technique that in 60 seconds or less measures multiple chemicals in body fluids, using a laser, white light, and a reflective tube.