THE SOURCE OF URINARY NITROSAMINES IN PATIENTS WITH ENTEROCYSTOPLASTIES

Objective To assess the factors influencing urinary nitrosamine produc tion in patients with enterocystoplasties. Patients, subjects and meth ods The study comprised 100 patients with an enterocystoplasty, 20 pat ients with interstitial cystitis, 30 with infective cystitis and 120 c ontrol subjects drawn from hospital staff and out-patients. Urinary ni trosamine levels were measured and the urine samples cultured for micr oorganisms. Results Nitrosamine levels were significantly higher only in patients with enterocystoplasties who also had higher urinary white cell counts or significant bacteriuria. Conclusion Patients with an e nterocystoplasty and significant bacteriuria are most at risk from pot ential nitrosamine-induced epithelial injury.