title: Filarial chyluria: long-term experience of a university hospital in India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Filariasis is an endemic problem in various Indian states. We evaluated the results of long-term follow up (10-20 years) of patients with filarial chyluria.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective analysis of 160 patients treated for filarial chyluria who presented to the Banaras Hindu University Hospital from 1982 to 1992. Eighty-four patients (52.5%) were treated using diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and a fat restricted diet and 76 patients (47.5%) underwent surgery. To examine the long-term effects of filarial chyluria we analysed data on post-treatment recurrence, weight gain, dietary freedom, chyluria free period and a number of other associated factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Previous history of filariasis or its complication was documented in 19% of patients. In 71% of cases, cystoscopy showed that chylous efflux was predominant in the left ureteric orifice. The long-term remission rate was 62% in the conservatively managed group (DEC + fat restricted diet), whereas 90% of patients in the operated group were cured. Postoperative recurrence rate was 10%. There was more weight gain and dietary freedom along with a longer chyluria free period in the operated group relative to the conservatively managed group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Definitive surgical ablation of lymphatic urinary fistula is better than conservative medical management because it has a higher success rate, more dietary freedom and, therefore, better patient acceptability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
authors.forename: Vipul
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tandon
authors.forename: Harbans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: U S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Dwivedi
authors.forename: Mufti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahmood
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002913:Chyle / Q000469:parasitology*; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005369:Filaricides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014513:Ureter / Q000469:parasitology; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D005369:Filaricides; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine