The Central European Journal of Urology is an open access quarterly-issued journal, which provides a forum for the presentation of original clinical, experimental and other research studies...

The issue of patients experiencing difficulty in completely voiding their bladders is well documented in the clinical setting. It is common for both urologists and family doctors to encounter neurological dysfunctions of the lower urinary tract. In numerous neurological conditions, incomplete bladder emptying and urinary retention are frequently observed. This problem predominantly manifests in cases of bladder detrusor muscle hypofunction or detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Urinary retention can lead to recurrent urinary tract infections and, in severe cases, kidney damage. In Poland, the most common management method remains the insertion of a permanent catheter into the bladder. Both permanent transurethral catheterisation and, to a lesser extent, suprapubic cystostomy are associated with various complications and an increased risk of urinary tract infections. The first documented use of clean intermittent self-catheterisation, or catheterisation performed by a third party, dates back to the 1970s. Since then, this approach has become increasingly widespread in clinical practice. The primary rationale for self-catheterisation is the reduced risk of urinary tract infections compared to permanent catheters. However, self-catheterisation requires greater involvement from healthcare professionals, particularly urology nurses. It is essential to provide adequate support to patients and their caregivers during the preparatory phase for self-catheterisation. Despite these efforts, a significant proportion of patients ultimately discontinue self-catheterisation.

Background/Objectives: Endometrioid ovarian cancer (EnOC) is a late-diagnosed gynecological cancer with limited diagnostic methods that, when detected at an early stage, has a good prognosis. This study is the first to evaluate the plasma concentrations and diagnostic utility of selected metalloproteinases as new biomarkers for EnOC. Methods: The study group consisted of 50 newly diagnosed, untreated patients with EnOC; the control group consisted of 25 patients with endometrial cysts, 25 patients with serous cysts, and 50 healthy women. Selected matrilysins and stromelysins were determined by means of immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) and routine markers (CA125 and HE4) using the chemiluminescence (CMIA) method. Results: Higher levels of MMP-7, MMP-10, MMP-11, and MMP-26 were found in patients with EnOC when compared to healthy women. Concentrations of MMP-7, MMP-10, and MMP-11 were higher in women with EnOC when compared to benign lesions (BL). The highest SE (98.55%), NPV (95.41%), ACC (57.58%), and AUC (0.9658) values were obtained for MMP-7. High values of diagnostic parameters were also obtained for MMP-11 and MMP-26. Conclusions: These results suggest the usefulness of MMP-7, MMP-26, and MMP-11 in the diagnosis of EnOC as new biomarkers in this pilot study.