Prostatitis

Most of Chris Turner’s career is steeped in healthcare, having worked for companies such as Healthgrades, Evariant, and Medici. His latest challenge as CEO of HealthBook+ is twofold: Provide a way for individuals to aggregate and leverage their personal health information safely and securely for health guidance and give employers predictive insights to help their staff get to their best health. Turner said he came up with the idea for HealthBook+ with Co-founders Stathis Topouzoglou, who owns a shipping company, and Dr. Panos Sechopoulos, who became the company’s Chief Medical Officer. In the shipping world, if a crew member gets sick, it can be very costly for the company to return the ship to shore to attend to them. Adding to the medical challenge is that commonly there is a language barrier between a captain and their crew. What Stathis needed was a way to ensure crew members received personalized and appropriate healthcare while at the same time avoiding unnecessary shipping delays. The solution, Turner soon realized, was to tap into a personalized medicine approach developed by Dr. Sechopoulos. It ensured each member of the crew had a portable medical history on their mobile phone as well as AI that could detect the triage level and give a list of possible conditions that could be easily shared if the crew member became ill at sea. Not only would they be provided with prompt treatment directed by a physician, but the company would mitigate additional costs resulting from delays and disruption. Turner explained how the core of HealthBook+ technology is set up. It uses a very secure and private database which connects with companies managing about 85% of the electronic health records in the U.S. That data ports over into its data warehouse and is augmented with other sources of data, which includes claims data obtained through relationships with 40% of the commercial payers. It also obtains data through wearables from Apple Health, Google Health, Fitbit, Garmin and glucose monitors, with potential to add an additional 500 remote patient monitoring devices. Turner added that the company also purchases socio-economic data and is working on adding genetic information. Chris Turner “If we take this as the core, and then add a bunch of different data sets so that we have the most data on an individual, layer some AI-driven predictive analytics and inference engines on top of that data, then we would have something that is really cool,” Turner said. “We can help people take ownership of their health by leveraging all the data that is available, as well as AI tools, so that people could understand what the next step in their healthcare journey needs to be.” But the benefits go beyond just the individual. Employers are also helped by HealthBook+’s technology, particularly those who face substantial insurance claims due to employees’ cancer diagnosis or treatment for other costly health conditions, which, cause their plan rates to increase. “What we’re able to do is work with the de-identified and aggregated employee population data and then help employers negotiate with their plan for a better premium,” said Turner. “For all employers we can leverage these population sets of data to identify the best benefits specific to an employer’s staff.” HealthBook+ has two sets of AI engines — one focused on preventive care and another on reactive care. The preventive engine deploys models around the most expensive and debilitating conditions for employers, spanning mental health, diabetes, heart disease, and high-risk pregnancy. The idea is to provide a way for users to receive earlier intervention and then help direct them to an in-network primary care physician or a specialist, if needed. The reactive AI-driven engine is for acute care situations with the goal of directing people to the appropriate level of care. The app’s interface provides a way for users to enter their symptoms for an instant health check. The AI engine will ask a set of questions based on the symptom information provided and then provide a shortlist of possible conditions and where they can get in-network help. Turner offered an example of a success story with the instant health check. A young male in his mid-thirties and 6 ‘6″-6’ 7″ tall experienced pelvic pain and went to the emergency room nine different times, including three by ambulance. Clinicians kept telling him he had prostatitis — an infection of the prostate — and he was not getting better. He started losing his hair and in four months lost about 20% of his body weight. Using the instant health check, he entered his symptoms, and because the app already had his health history, he was able to get a personalized list of possible conditions to share with his team of clinicians. “In bringing these two sets of data together, the AI engine concluded that it was likely a kidney-related issue,” Turner said. “That led physicians to perform a pelvic MRI, and he was diagnosed with a blocked urethra, which was causing his kidneys to swell to 50% larger than they should be. That’s what was causing all the pain and discomfort, so he ended up having a couple surgeries and he’s now on the mend.” Turner added: “With the differential diagnosis alone, we’ve identified about a 40% reduction in people who said they were set to go to the emergency room and the AI determined their care level should be telehealth or primary care, so they made the conversion to the more appropriate care level. The instant health check combined with telemedicine is a perfect way to reduce costs for patients, employers and payers while improving access to care. It is about a $1,800 savings per occurrence for employers and payers just even in that one component alone.” Turner has an ambitious outlook for the company. Asked what’s on his to do list for the next 12 months, Turner highlighted some of the goals. One is to further leverage the company’s Medical Advisory Board to improve the service’s accuracy and personalization. In January, HealthBook+ will be launching its Care Club+ which helps people manage care of their children and parents. HealthBook+ is also expanding its partnerships and adding an API gateway to realize its goal of providing a health hub that streamlines an individual’s access to digital health tools and clinicians. “If people go to multiple hospitals, they’ve got maybe two or three different patient portals they need to log into. When they go to clinics, each one of those typically has a different patient portal,” Turner said. “Their health plan has a different patient portal, and if they have a wearable that data lives somewhere else. If the employer sponsors any digital health applications, all that data is also somewhere else. We want to be that hub for access to all this healthcare data.”

WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2023 -- When most men think about their prostate, it's to worry about whether they have prostate cancer or not. But another condition is far more common and plenty painful. Prostatitis involves inflammation of the prostate gland and sometimes the areas around it. Not only is prostatitis highly treatable, but it is highly prevalent among men. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, it is the leading cause of urinary tract infections in men, resulting in approximately 2 million doctor's visits each year in the United States . In fact, it's estimated that half of all men will experience prostatitis at some point. The U.S. National Center for Health Statistics further reveals that about 25% of men who seek medical attention for urological problems exhibit symptoms of prostatitis. Here, experts give the rundown on prostatitis, including its various types, causes, common symptoms and available treatments. What is prostatitis? Prostatitis, a condition characterized by the inflammation of the prostate gland, is known for its frequent and often debilitating pain. According to the Cleveland Clinic , it is a complex condition that can lead to various symptoms, including infection, inflammation and pain. Two types of prostatitis are associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), while the remaining types may not have an infectious origin. Regardless of the type, prostatitis is commonly recognized for the intense pain its sufferers feel, which can significantly impact a man's quality of life. Types of prostatitis According to the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, there are four distinct types of prostatitis , each with its own characteristics: Chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome: This prostatitis is characterized by symptoms that start gradually and linger over a couple of weeks . It may also involve urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency and difficulty emptying the bladder. Acute bacterial prostatitis: Acute bacterial prostatitis is caused by a bacterial infection in the prostate gland. It starts suddenly with severe pain in the pelvic region, fever, chills and difficulty urinating. StatPearls indicates that acute bacterial prostatitis is rare; when it occurs, it is often associated with bladder obstruction or an immunocompromised state . Chronic bacterial prostatitis: Unlike the acute form, chronic bacterial prostatitis is a persistent infection that may recur over an extended period. It shares symptoms with acute bacterial prostatitis, but is characterized by milder pain and discomfort. Harvard Health states that chronic bacterial infection accounts for a small percentage of cases of chronic prostatitis . Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: As the name suggests, men with this prostatitis do not experience any symptoms . It is often diagnosed incidentally during tests for other urinary or reproductive tract disorders. Fortunately, asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis does not lead to complications and typically does not require treatment. Prostatitis causes According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health , the causes of prostatitis vary depending on the specific type of the condition: Chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome: The exact cause of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome remains unknown. It is widely believed that a microorganism, not a bacterial infection, may be responsible for triggering the condition. Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis: Bacterial prostatitis is caused by an infection in the prostate gland. The infection is believed to occur when bacteria travel from the urethra (the tube through which urine passes) into the prostate, leading to inflammation and associated symptoms. It’s important to know that acute bacterial prostatitis can be caused by various types of bacteria commonly associated with urinary tract infections . Additionally, prostatitis can also result from infections transmitted through sexual contact. However, “you don't need to avoid sex if you have prostatitis. Typically, sex won't worsen prostatitis. But some men who have prostatitis have pain with ejaculation,” Dr. Patricio Gargollo , a urologist with the Mayo Clinic, said in a recent article . Prostatitis symptoms Prostatitis has many symptoms that can significantly impact a man's daily life and well-being, especially when left untreated. Here are some common symptoms associated with prostatitis , according to Johns Hopkins Medicine: Frequent urination Dysuria (a burning or stinging sensation during urination, making it uncomfortable or painful) Reduced urine flow Rectal pain or pressure Fever and chills Lower back or pelvic pain Urethral discharge during bowel movements Erectile dysfunction or decreased sex drive Uncomfortable sensations in the rectal or genital area Also, the symptoms of prostatitis can mimic those of other medical conditions or issues. Therefore, seeking medical advice from a health care provider for an accurate diagnosis is important. Prostatitis treatment The treatment for prostatitis is determined by age, overall health, medical history, the severity of the condition, individual tolerance for specific treatments, expected duration and patient preference. The specific type of prostatitis also plays a significant role in determining the appropriate treatment. Here are some general treatment options for prostatitis, followed by specific treatments based on the different types of prostatitis. Treatment for prostatitis typically involves a combination of approaches to relieve symptoms, eliminate infection (if present), reduce inflammation and improve overall prostate health. These may include: Medications Alpha blockers Pain relievers Physical therapy But more specifically, the type of treatment recommended is typically based on the different types of prostatitis. Johns Hopkins Medicine indicates typical treatments for prostatitis as follows : Acute bacterial prostatitis: Hospitalization may require administering intravenous antibiotics and providing supportive care. Oral antibiotics are typically prescribed for a few weeks after hospitalization, to wipe out the infection. Chronic bacterial prostatitis: Similar to acute bacterial prostatitis, long-term antibiotic therapy is necessary. This can range from several weeks to months to effectively treat persistent infection. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Treatment focuses on managing symptoms. It may include medications for pain relief, alpha blockers to relax the muscles, physical therapy and lifestyle modifications to ease symptoms. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis generally does not require treatment unless there are specific complications or underlying conditions. Posted May 2023

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- Solaris Health Holdings announced today that Spokane Urology, serving Spokane and Spokane Valley in Washington state, has joined as an affiliate. Terms have not been disclosed. Spokane Urology, the largest and longest-standing urology practice in Spokane, brings to Solaris the skills and talents of 19 providers who care for 16,500 unique patients each year. The addition of Spokane Urology means that Solaris now aligns the skills and talents of over 615 providers who annually care for over 865,000 unique patients located in 13 states. Solaris has a clear vision to develop a national platform predicated on clinical excellence and business best practices. The urology practices that join Solaris are choosing to scale nationally and to maintain the highest standards of patient care. They also are gaining access to resources needed to successfully navigate an increasingly complex and consolidated health care system. “Urologic disease diagnosis and treatment options are rapidly evolving requiring a commitment to leading edge technology while using common-sense and personalized application to our patients’ unique situations,” said Dr. Raymond Lance, President of Spokane Urology. “By working with Solaris we believe we are best positioned to meet the mission of providing comprehensive urologic care to our Northwest neighbors,” he said. McDermott Will & Emery LLP served as legal counsel to Solaris on the Spokane Urology deal. Kutak Rock LLP served as legal counsel to Spokane Urology and HMA CPA, PS acted as financial advisors. New York-based Lee Equity Partners is a financial partner in Solaris. Learn more at www.solarishealthpartners.com . About Solaris Health Solaris Health is a leading national healthcare platform committed to working with its affiliates to enhance access to specialty healthcare and continually improve patient outcomes. Empowering community providers allows them to make sure that every decision they make puts patient care at the forefront. We are growing to meet the changing needs of the healthcare providers, and to help them develop innovative ways to better deliver value and state-of-the-art care to their patients. Solaris Health is proud to be among the most innovative platforms in the United States. Visit www.solarishealthpartners.com . About Spokane Urology Spokane Urology’s dedicated board-certified urologists and urologic oncologists offer state-of-the-art treatments for a wide variety of ailments, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, prostatitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney stones. The highly-skilled oncologist team offers diagnostic testing for an array of urological cancers, including testicular cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and kidney cancer. Spokane Urology provides a full complement of men's health services, including treatment for erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, and in-office vasectomy procedures. Visit www.spokaneurology.com About Lee Equity Partners Lee Equity Partners, LLC is a New York-based private equity firm that partners with management teams to build companies with strong growth potential. Lee Equity targets equity investments of $50 million to $150 million in middle-market control buyouts and growth capital financings in companies with enterprise values of $100 million to $500 million that are located primarily in the United States. The firm invests within three distinct sectors, financial services, healthcare services, and business services, where the team has developed deep relationships over decades. Additional information is available at www.leeequity.com .