Repeated transurethral bladder resections (TURBs) and instillation treatments in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) might influence bladder function and, therefore, quality of life. Bladder-related medication is a surrogate marker of compromised bladder function. The objective was to investigate whether TURBs and adjuvant instillation therapy are associated with the use of anticholinergics, β3-agonists, and cystitis-relevant antibiotics. We divided all Danish patients diagnosed with primary NMIBC during 2002–2017 registered in the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR) based on TURB-load within the first five years from diagnosis (1 TURB, 2–4 TURBs, ≥5 TURBs). Instillation therapy with either mitomycin C (MMC) or bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine (BCG) was independent exposure (yes or no). We included 17,774 patients; 76% men, median age: 70 years (IQR: 63, 77). Patients exposed to ≥5 TURBs had a higher risk of using bladder-relaxing medication than patients exposed to 1 TURB, HR = 4.01 [3.33; 4.83], and higher risk of cystitis, HR = 2.27 [2.05; 2.51]. BCG-exposed patients had a higher risk of bladder-relaxing medication use compared to non-exposed, HR = 1.92 [1.69; 2.18], and a higher risk of cystitis, HR = 1.39 [1.31; 1.48]. Repeated TURBs have the highest impact on bladder function. Adjuvant instillation therapy is also associated with the use of bladder-related medication.
Objective: To investigate whether department-level use of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) for primary transurethral bladder resections (TURBs) is associated with recurrence and progression rates in a non-selected, national cohort. Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has high global prevalence, and is characterized by high recurrence risk and risk of progression to muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Treatment effects and long-term outcomes rely on diagnostic accuracy, which may be enhanced using PDD for TURB. PDD-use in Denmark has varied between departments. Material and Methods: We identified all Danish patients with primary NMIBC during 2011–2017 via the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR) and divided them into four groups based on the treating department’s annual PDD use. We included 8,502 patients; 76% men, median age at diagnosis: 70 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 63, 77). Primary outcomes were recurrence- and progression risk differences (RDs) at 2 and 5 years depending on the PDD-exposure group. Results were additionally stratified by baseline pathological risk group. Results: The PDD-use varied from 74% in group 4. Overall 2- and 5 years recurrence risks were 39.9% [95% CI: 38.8; 41.0] and 48.1% [95% CI: 46.9; 49.3], while risks of progression were 17.5% [95% CI: 16.7; 18.4] and 22.9% [95% CI: 21.9; 23.9]. PDD-exposure groups 2–4 had lower recurrence- and progression risks compared to group 1, most pronounced for high-risk NMIBC. Conclusions: PDD-use in primary TURBs correlates with reduced 2- and 5 years recurrence- and progression risks in NMIBC. The PDD benefit was most noticeable in higher risk NMIBC. Photodynamic diagnosis, primary Trans Urethral Resection of the Bladder (TURB), progression risk, recurrence risk
Purpose: Globally non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a high-incidence disease. There is a large heterogeneity within NMIBC regarding recurrence- and progression risks, and large-scale studies of treatment patterns and prognoses in an everyday setting could result in NMIBC-subgroup treatment optimization, benefiting both patients and the economy. The Danish national registries provide such an opportunity if the registered procedure codes are valid. Therefore, the aim of the study was to validate the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10) codes of NMIBC treatment used in the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR). Patients and Methods: From the DNPR, we randomly selected 200 NMIBC treatment courses identified by the dates of the course and the codes of transurethral resection of the bladder ((TURB), n = 125), photodynamic diagnosis ((PDD), n = 25), bladder instillation with Bacillus Calmette vaccine ((BCG), n = 25), or bladder instillation with chemotherapy/Mitomycin C ((MMC), n = 25). We used medical record reviews as the reference standard and estimated positive predictive values (PPVs) of all procedure codes and negative predictive values (NPVs) of PDD- and the perioperative single-shot MMC codes. Results: We identified the medical records in 150 (75%) of the 200 treatment courses (149 individual patients). The overall PPVs were TURB: 98.9% (95% confidence interval: 93.8; 100.0%), PDD: 95.8% (78.9; 99.9%), adjuvant BCG: 90.0% (68.3; 98.8%), perioperative single-shot MMC 1/5, and adjuvant MMC: 69.2% (38.6; 90.9%). The overall NPVs were PDD: 64.8% (54.4; 73.9%) and perioperative single-shot MMC: 97.7% (92.1; 99.4%). Conclusion: The ICD-10 NMIBC procedure codes recorded in the DNPR are generally valid with high PPVs. The NPV of the PPD code is acceptable. However, the code for perioperative single-shot MMC is uncertain with low PPV, but a high NPV.
4 November 2026 in Scandinavian Journal of Urology
Objective: Limited information exists on burnout among European urologists and urology trainees. This study aimed to explore prevalence of burnout and identify related workplace characteristics among practicing urologists and urology trainees in Denmark. Material and methods: In April 2025, we conducted an anonymous nation-wide online survey of urologists and urology trainees working in a public healthcare department of Urology in Denmark. Burnout and psychosocial work environment factors were evaluated using validated assessment tools. Results: Of the 297 participants invited, 73% (n = 216) completed the survey. Respondents had a mean age of 45.8 years (standard deviation [SD] ± 10.8), 52% (n = 113) were women, and 70% (n = 152) were specialists. Personal burnout was the most prevalent domain, affecting 80.1% (n = 173) of respondents, including 47.7% (n = 103) with mild, 29.6% (n = 64) with moderate, and 2.8% (n = 6) with severe burnout. Personal burnout scores varied significantly by position (p = 0.035) and speciality tenure (p = 0.008). Psychosocial work environment factors differed across groups and departments. Strongest associations with burnout were observed for ‘possibilities for performing work tasks’, ‘emotional demands’, and ‘unnecessary work tasks’, with a notable link between work-related burnout and ‘influence at work’, alongside factors related to job demands and interpersonal relations. Female respondents reported higher personal (p = 0.003) and work-related (p = 0.011) burnout scores. Conclusions: Thirty-two percent of urologists and urology trainees in Denmark experience moderate to severe burnout, linked to psychosocial work conditions. These findings highlight the need to engage in dialogue around work-life expectations, workplace-focused prevention strategies to support career longevity, and ensure a stable workforce capable of delivering safe, high-quality patient care.