Development of Novel Cystometrics for Overactive Bladder

Urinary Frequency/Urgency Clinical Trial

Official title:

Development of Novel Cystometrics for Overactive Bladder

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Active, not recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT02060214
• Other study ID #: HM20000453
• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Start date: January 2014
• Est. completion date: April 2024

Study information

• Verified date: August 2023
• Source: Virginia Commonwealth University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

Urinary urgency is the key symptom of overactive bladder (OAB). A critical barrier in understanding OAB is the lack of a method to separate urgency that derives directly from bladder filling or what we term "tension sensor output" and urgency that derives from abnormal brain interpretation. The central hypothesis is that measureable biomechanical parameters can directly affect the output (urgency) of the detrusor tension sensor.

The development of novel cystometric tests for the improved diagnosis and treatment of OAB and for the potential identification of novel mechanistic targets in the pathophysiology of OAB.

Description:

Aim 1. Validate an Urgency Meter and quantify urgency-volume relationship. Test the hypothesis that the tension sensor output of urinary urgency can be objectively measured and is reflected by the input of filling volume.

Aim 2. Quantify the bladder geometry-urgency relationship. Test the hypothesis that bladder geometry (wall thickness, surface area, and shape) affects the load on the detrusor tension sensor as reflected by objective changes in the output of urgency.

Aim 3. Quantify the dynamic compliance-urgency relationship. Test the hypothesis that dynamic compliance (strain-history and activation-history dependent compliance) affects the load on the detrusor tension sensor as reflected by objective changes in the output of urgency.

Aim 4. Quantify the spontaneous rhythmic contraction-urgency relationship. Test the hypothesis that spontaneous rhythmic contractions affect the load on the detrusor tension sensor as reflected by objective changes in the output of urgency.

Urinary urgency is the key symptom in Overactive Bladder (OAB) that occurs during the filling phase of micturition, and increased detrusor wall tension is thought to be a critical factor in the pathophysiology of OAB. However, because pressure increases little during bladder filling and does not reflect changes in detrusor wall tension, true filling phase physiology cannot be evaluated during clinical cystometrics. Thus, objective assessments of OAB using standard clinical cystometric testing is difficult or impossible. Furthermore, evaluation of OAB using verbal sensory thresholds recommended by the International Continence Society are subjective and poorly defined. Thus, there is a pressing need for a mechanistically relevant diagnostic test of OAB that incorporates objective metrics for the direct evaluation of detrusor wall tension.

Using a systems model of the filling phase of micturition, the detrusor smooth muscle and its in-series tension sensitive afferent nerves can be represented as a tension sensor with a definable input (volume), an objectively measurable output (urgency), and objectively measurable biomechanical parameters that affect the load on the tension sensor. Based on our previous investigations and the work of others, we have identified the following biomechanical parameters that can directly affect the load on the detrusor tension sensor during filling: bladder geometry, dynamic compliance, and spontaneous rhythmic contractions. In the current proposal, we will develop novel cystometric tests to assess bladder geometry, dynamic compliance, and spontaneous rhythmic contractions during the filling phase of micturition. Our new cystometrics will include 1) a sliding scale Urgency Meter that will allow patients to continuously record the tension sensor output of urgency, 2) two and three dimensional bladder ultrasonography to provide real-time measurements of bladder geometry that will be used to measure the effect of geometry and used for dynamic compliance calculations, and 3) Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis to objectively measure filling phase spontaneous rhythmic contractions

These new metrics will provide a quantitative mechanistic link between OAB symptomatology and detrusor function, and we will use these new metrics to identify tension-mediated and non-tension mediated sub-groups of OAB. In this proposal, our central hypothesis, that measurable biomechanical parameters can directly affect the output (urgency) of the detrusor tension sensor, will be tested in clinical experiments involving accelerated hydration, abbreviated cystometrics, and repeat-fill cystometrics, and extended-hold cystometrics. Successful completion of this multi-PI proposal involving the combined skill sets of a neuro-urologist and a mechanical engineer will allow for the development of novel cystometric tests for the improved diagnosis and treatment of OAB and for the potential identification of novel mechanistic targets in the pathophysiology of OAB.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Enrollment: 104
• Est. completion date: April 2024
• Est. primary completion date: April 2024
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 22 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Study 1:

• Inclusion for Control Subjects:

• No urgency defined as scoring a "0" on the screening question 5A of ICIQ-OAB survey instrument.

• Above 21 years of age.

• Healthy enough to undergo testing

• No Cognitive Impairment

• No vulnerable population

Inclusion for Heightened Urgency Group:

• Answer greater than or equal to 3 on question 5a of ICIQ-OAB survey instrument.

• Above 21 years of age.

• Healthy enough to undergo testing.

• Have no cognitive impairment.

• Not vulnerable population

Study 2, 3 and 4:

• Scheduled to undergo cystoscopy examinations for clinically indicated condition.

• Over 21 years of age.

• No cognitive impairment.

• No vulnerable population

Exclusion Criteria:

Study 1:

Exclusion for Control Participants:

• Prescription medications.

• Significant medical conditions.

• 21 years of age or younger

• Cognitive impairment.

• Vulnerable population.

• Scoring anything other than "0" on all screening questions on the ICIQ-OAB.

• Score less than or equal to 3 on question 5a of ICIQ--OAB.

Exclusion for Heightened Urgency Group:

• Significant medical conditions.

• 21 years of age or younger.

• Cognitive impairment.

• Vulnerable population.

• Score less than 3 on question 5a of ICIQ-OAB.

Study 2, 3, and 4:

• Not undergoing standard of care cystoscopy examinations for clinically indicated conditions.

• 21 years of age or younger.

• Have cognitive impairment.

• Vulnerable population

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Urinary Bladder, Overactive
• Urinary Frequency/Urgency

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Virginia Commonwealth University	Richmond	Virginia

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Virginia Commonwealth University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Overactive Bladder/Urgency	validating the use of a computer program which will assist patients in describing their level of urgency. This and the use of ultrasound measurements of the bladder will assist us in developing a means to measure urgency for normal, healthy participants and those with elevated urgency.	one year