An integrated haematuria clinic

Br J Clin Pract. 1993 May-Jun;47(3):128-30.

Abstract

The prognosis of bladder cancer is worsened by delay in its management. To reduce such delay we have organised a clinic where intravenous urography and cystoscopy, using a flexible cystoscope, are carried out at the patient's first visit. In a two-year period 321 patients attended this clinic. The results of investigation in 305 patients are reported. A total of 6% of patients with microscopic haematuria (n = 52) and 15% of patients with macroscopic haematuria (n = 253) had transitional cell carcinomata. This difference was not significant (P = 0.08, chi-squared). The delay between referral and trans-urethral resection of tumour for patients with bladder tumours was reduced from a mean of 60 days to a mean of 33 days by the institution of the clinic (P < 0.01, Mann-Whitney). We recommend that all patients referred to a urological service with haematuria, whether macroscopic or microscopic, should be investigated. The integration of that investigation in a single day decreases delays in diagnosis and management.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / mortality
  • Female
  • Hematuria / etiology*
  • Hematuria / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / complications*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / mortality