Search

Introduction and Hypothesis: The Actionable Bladder Symptom Screening Tool (ABSST) was initially developed to identify patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who could benefit from lower urinary tract assessment and treatment. Assessment of the measurement properties of the ABSST, including its ability to identify patients experiencing bladder symptoms related to overactive bladder (OAB), was undertaken in a general female population., Methods: One hundred women completed the ABSST, OAB Questionnaire Short Form (OAB-q SF), and a patient global impression of severity (PGI-S) scale. Half of the sample had urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), while the other half did not. Descriptive statistics, reliability, and validity were examined, as was sensitivity and specificity of the previous cut-off score established in MS., Results: Fifty-three women with UUI/OAB and 47 controls took part (71.0 % Caucasian). Patients with UUI/OAB were older (54.6 vs 40.4 years), had a higher body mass index (31.1 vs 26.4 kg/m(2)), and more comorbid conditions. The Cronbach's alpha reliability of ABSST was 0.90. High correlations with OAB-q SF Symptom Bother and Health Related Quality of Life (r = 0.83 and -0.81 respectively) supported concurrent validity. Using the PGI-S severity scores as a reference, the ABSST was able to distinguish patients with differing severity levels (known-group validity). Physician assessment of the need for further evaluation/treatment showed sensitivity (79 %) and specificity (98 %), supporting a cut-off score of ≥3., Conclusions: The previous MS ABSST scoring algorithm was validated in a non-neurogenic female population. ABSST is a reliable, valid, and sensitive tool for screening women with UUI/OAB.

Background: Overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome with urinary incontinence (UI) is prevalent in the population and impairs health-related quality of life (HRQOL)., Objective: To assess the impact on efficacy, safety, and HRQOL of onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX(®), Allergan, Inc.) treatment in patients with OAB with UI., Design, Setting, and Participants: This pivotal, multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study enrolled patients with idiopathic OAB with ≥ 3 urgency UI episodes over 3 d and ≥ 8 micturitions per day who were inadequately managed by anticholinergics., Intervention: OnabotulinumtoxinA at a 100U dose (n=277) or placebo (n=271), administered as 20 intradetrusor injections of 0.5 ml., Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Co-primary end points were change from baseline in the number of UI episodes per day and proportion of patients reporting positive treatment response on the treatment benefit scale (TBS) at week 12. Additional end points included other OAB symptoms (episodes of urinary urgency incontinence, micturition, urgency, and nocturia) and HRQOL (Incontinence Quality of Life [I-QOL], King's Health Questionnaire [KHQ]). Safety assessments included adverse events (AEs), postvoid residual (PVR) urine volume, and initiation of clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC)., Results and Limitations: OnabotulinumtoxinA significantly decreased UI episodes per day at week 12 (-2.95 for onabotulinumtoxinA versus -1.03 for placebo; p<0.001). Reductions from baseline in all other OAB symptoms were also significantly greater following onabotulinumtoxinA compared with placebo (p ≤ 0.01). Patients perceived a significant improvement in their condition, as measured by patients with a positive treatment response on the TBS (62.8% for onabotulinumtoxinA versus 26.8% for placebo; p<0.001). Clinically meaningful improvements from baseline in all I-QOL and KHQ multi-item domains (p<0.001 versus placebo) indicated positive impact on HRQOL. AEs were mainly localised to the urinary tract. Mean PVR was higher in the onabotulinumtoxinA group (46.9 ml versus 10.1 ml at week 2; p<0.001); 6.9% of onabotulinumtoxinA patients versus 0.7% of placebo patients initiated CIC., Conclusions: OnabotulinumtoxinA 100 U was well tolerated and demonstrated significant and clinically relevant improvements in all OAB symptoms, patient-reported benefit, and HRQOL in patients inadequately managed by anticholinergics., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00910520., (Copyright © 2013 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The majority of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients develop some form of lower urinary tract dysfunction, usually as a result of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). Patients identify urinary incontinence as one of the worst aspects of this disease. Despite the high prevalence of NDO, urological evaluation and treatment are significantly under-accessed in this population. The objectives of this study were: 1) to adapt the previously validated Actionable Bladder Symptom Screening Tool (ABSST) to a short form for ease and brevity of application in a clinical setting that is clinically meaningful; and 2) to develop a scoring algorithm that would be interpretable in terms of referring/considering precise diagnosis and treatment., Methods: A US-based, non-randomized, multi-center, stand-alone observational study was conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the ABSST among patients who have MS with and without NDO. Mixed psychometric methods (e.g., classical statistics (Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill; 1994) and item response methods (Applying the Rasch Model: Fundamental Measurement in the Human Sciences. New Jersey: Lawrence Earlbaum Associates; 2001)) were used to evaluate the predictive and clinical validity of the shortened form. The latter included clinicians flagging clinically meaningful items and associated response options which would indicate the need for further evaluation or treatment., Results: A total of 151 patients, all with MS and with and without NDO, were recruited by 28 clinicians in various US geographical locations. Approximately 41% of patients reported a history of or currently having urinary incontinence and/or urinary urgency. The prediction model across the entire range of classification thresholds was evaluated, plotting the true positive identification rate against the false positive rate (1-Specificity) for various cut scores. In this study, the cut-point or total score of greater than or equal to 6 had a sensitivity of approximately 85%, and specificity of approximately 93% (i.e., 85% patients would warrant being referred to a urologist and 93% of the patients whose symptoms would not warrant urologist referral)., Conclusions: Overall the short form ABSST demonstrated sensitivity and specificity as it maintained the integrity of the longer form tool. Concurrent validity for each subscale as well as predictive and concurrent validity of the total shortened instrument was demonstrated. This instrument provides a new method for assessing bladder problems among MS patients, and may facilitate earlier and more precise diagnosis, treatment, and/or referral to a specialist.

Overactive bladder affects millions of adults, with profound personal and economic costs. Although antimuscarinic drugs can cause a reduction in voiding symptoms, the effect is modest, and many patients are intolerant of the side effects, or do not experience sufficient relief. For these patients, the modulation of bladder reflex pathways via percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) or via implanted sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) has been acknowledged as a logical next step in the algorithm of care. This review examines the mechanism of action, the relative benefits, adverse effects, and costs of percutaneous nerve stimulation compared to other treatment modalities.

Objective: To review the pre-operative assessment of bladder neck competence and assess the success of non-operative management of the bladder neck in patients with pelvic fracture membranous urethral distraction defects., Patients and Methods: A series of four patients with long-standing post-pelvic fracture urethral distraction defects and open bladder necks demonstrated on pre-operative investigation are presented., Results: All four patients were managed by perineal urethroplasty without surgery to the bladder neck. All patients were continent post-operatively despite the injury having ablated the distal sphincter mechanism., Conclusion: We believe that the majority of patients can be managed successfully by a non-operative approach to the bladder neck, sparing them the unnecessary operative morbidity of an abdomino-perineal repair, which should be reserved for those with obviously scarred or distorted bladder necks.

Idiopathic reduced bladder storage is a term we used to describe a group of patients who have subjective and objective evidence (by cystometrogram) of diminished bladder capacity without a demonstrable cause. We performed a prospective study comparing this condition with interstitial cystitis. We studied the clinical, urodynamic and histological features, and response to therapy in these 2 groups of patients. No statistical difference was found between the incidence of irritative bladder symptoms and/or suprapubic pain. Only minor differences were noted in the maximum cystometric capacity and incidence of bladder instability. Histological and immunofluorescent features were analogous. Also, the reduced bladder storage and interstitial cystitis patients responded similarly to bladder dilation and pharmacological therapy. Augmentation ileocystoplasty used in patients refractory to medical treatment produced comparable results in the short term. Based upon similar findings, it is likely that these 2 conditions represent the same disease entity with the only difference being the cystoscopic findings.

A panel of experts in urology, urogynecology, nursing, and behavioral therapy convened in 2010 to discuss the importance of a healthy bladder on overall health. They determined that a consensus statement was necessary to raise awareness among the general public, healthcare providers, payors, and policymakers, with the goals of minimizing the impact of poor bladder health and stimulating primary prevention of bladder conditions. In this statement, 'healthy' bladder function is described, as well as internal and external factors that influence bladder health. It is suggested that primary prevention strategies should be aimed at providing education regarding normal lower urinary tract structures and functioning to the public, including patients and healthcare providers. This education may promote the achievement of optimal bladder health by increasing healthy bladder habits and behaviors, awareness of risk factors, healthcare seeking, and clinician engagement and reducing stigma and other barriers to treatment. Promoting optimal bladder health may reduce the personal, societal and economic impact of bladder conditions, including anxiety and depression and costs associated with conditions or diseases and their treatment. While adopting healthy bladder habits and behaviors and behaviors may improve or maintain bladder health, it is important to recognize that certain symptoms may indicate the presence of conditions that require medical attention; many bladder conditions are treatable with a range of options for most bladder conditions. Lastly, the authors propose clinical directives based on persuasive and convergent research to improve and maintain bladder health. The authors hope that this statement will lead to promotion and achievement of optimal bladder health, which may improve overall health and help minimize the effects of bladder conditions on the public, healthcare professionals, educators, employers, and payors. The advisors are in consensus regarding the recommendations for improving and maintaining bladder health presented herein.