Review of underactive bladder

Lower urinary tract symptoms among male patients on hemodialysis: Prospective and multi-central cross-sectional study

Background

Lower urinary tract symptoms are common and can significantly impact quality of life, especially in men with co-morbidities and end-stage renal disease. The presence of lower urinary tract symptoms affect the quality of life of patients on hemodialysis.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is assessing the presence and severity of lower urinary tract symptoms among male patients on hemodialysis. Factors that may exacerbate lower urinary tract symptoms were assessed and studied. The impact of lower urinary tract symptoms on quality of life was also identified.

Methods

A prospective, multi-central, and cross-sectional study of male patients on hemodialysis was conducted. Demographics, clinical data, and core lower urinary tract symptoms score questionnaire were all collected. A correlation has been made between all variables.

Results

One hundred forty-five patients were enrolled. Eighty-seven percent of hemodialysis patients had at least one storage symptom, and 85% had at least one voiding symptom. The prevalence of storage symptoms (frequency, nocturia, urgency, and urgency incontinence) was found to be 3%, 70%, 44%, and 12%, respectively. The voiding symptoms were mainly weak stream, straining, and incomplete emptying, which were found in 60%, 43%, and 36%, respectively. Fifteen percent of the cohort had a negatively significant impact on their quality of life. The absence of voiding symptoms was statistically linked to a better quality of life (p < 0.05). Hemodialysis patients who are over 60 years old, smokers, or obese were found to be significantly more likely to report storage symptoms (18%, 9%, and 79%, respectively; p < 0.05). Bladder pain was significantly correlated to the dialysis duration of more than 24 months (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Storage and voiding lower urinary tract symptoms are common among hemodialysis male patients with a minor impact on their quality of life. Age, smoking, and obesity are major risks of exaggerating such symptoms.

Underactive Bladder and Detrusor Underactivity: New Advances and Prospectives

Underactive bladder (UAB) is a prevalent but under-researched lower urinary tract symptom that typically occurs alongside detrusor underactivity (DU). Unlike UAB, DU is a urodynamic diagnosis which the International Continence Society (ICS) defines as "a contraction of reduced strength and/or duration, resulting in prolonged bladder emptying and/or a failure to achieve complete bladder emptying within a normal time span". Despite the widespread prevalence of UAB/DU, there are significant gaps in our understanding of its pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment compared with overactive bladder (OAB) and detrusor overactivity (DO). These gaps are such that clinicians regard UAB/DU as an incurable condition. In recent years, the understanding of UAB has increased. The definition of UAB has been clarified, and the diagnostic criteria for DU have been considered more comprehensively. Meanwhile, a number of non-invasive diagnostic methods have also been reported. Clinical trials involving novel drugs, electrical stimulation, and stem cell therapy have shown promising results. Therefore, this review summarizes recent reports on UAB and DU and highlights the latest advances in their diagnosis and treatment.

The Efficacy of Transvaginal Ultrasound-Guided BoNT-A External Sphincter Injection in Female Patients with Underactive Bladder

Owing to the diverse treatment outcomes after a botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection to the external sphincter, this study aimed to develop a new technique: an ultrasound-guided BoNT-A external sphincter injection. This single-center prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary medical center in Taichung, Taiwan. From December 2020 to September 2022, 12 women were enrolled. The patients were evaluated for lower urinary tract syndrome using patient perception of bladder condition (PPBC), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, post-void residual volume (PVR), cystometry, and external sphincter electromyography. We evaluated the patients the day before surgery and 1 week after the BoNT-A injection. For the patients requiring self-catheterization, we recorded the number of times they required clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) per day before the procedure and 1 month after the procedure. The IPSS, PPBC, and PVR were significantly better after the transvaginal ultrasound-guided BoNT-A external sphincter injection. The number of times the patients required daily CIC was also reduced after the injection. Only one patient developed de novo urge urinary incontinence. Our results demonstrated that a transvaginal ultrasound-guided BoNT-A injection was efficacious and safe in the treatment of underactive bladder.

Insight into SLC9A3 deficiency-mediated micturition dysfunction caused by electrolyte imbalance

BACKGROUND

Solute carrier family nine isoform 3 (SLC9A3) is an Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger that regulates Ca₂⁺ homeostasis. SLC9A3 is largely involved in the transepithelial absorption of Na⁺/H⁺ and frequently functions in pair with a Cl^-/HCO3^- exchanger.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact and pathophysiological mechanisms of long-term SLC9A3 deficiency on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a mouse model MATERIALS AND METHODS: Slc9a3 knockout and wild-type mice (average >6 months) were used. The effects of SLC9A3 depletion on bladder and urethral functions and effectiveness of voiding were assessed using a cystometrogram (CMG). Histology, blood electrolytes, and gene expression were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The SLC9A3-deficient mice had smaller gross bladders than the wild-type mice. The CMG analysis revealed normal peak micturition pressure, higher threshold pressure, short intercontraction interval, less voided volume, and poor compliance in the SLC9A3-deficient mice, similar to clinical LUTS. Histological analysis revealed loose detrusor muscle and loss of transformability of the urothelium in the SLC9A3-deficient mice. Masson's trichrome analysis revealed severe collagen deposition in the detrusor muscle. Immunofluorescence staining also demonstrated a significant decrease in cytokeratins 5 and 20. Gene and protein expression analyses confirmed that SLC9A3 does not act directly on bladder tissue. Homeostasis was correlated with bladder dysfunction in the SLC9A3-deficient mice.

DISCUSSION

Fibrosis and collagen deposition in the bladder of the SLC9A3-deficient mice is due to bladder inflammation because of decreased blood flow and deregulated systemic homeostasis. Long-term SLC9A3 depletion causes progressive bladder dysfunction, similar to human LUTS.

CONCLUSION

Electrolyte imbalance causes SLC9A3 deficiency-mediated progressive micturition dysfunction.

Clinical outcome and urodynamic changes of tailored transvaginal mesh surgery for pelvic organ prolapse: A mid-term 40 Months follow-up

PURPOSE

To evaluate the changes in clinical outcome and urodynamic parameters after tailored anterior transvaginal mesh (ATVM) surgeries in a mid-term follow-up.

METHODS

Between November 2011 and December 2015, women with ≥stage II pelvic organ prolapse (POP) who underwent ATVM surgeries were retrospectively reviewed. The data-reviewing timeframe was until December 2021. Clinical and urodynamic diagnoses regarding urinary symptoms were evaluated before and after the operation.

RESULTS

A total of 160 women were included. Stress urinary incontinence decreased significantly after the operation (99% (159/160) vs. 43% (68/160), p < 0.01), as well as the pad weight (20.5 ± 2.7 vs. 9.4 ± 2.0, p < 0.001) and diagnosis of urodynamic stress incontinence (83% (132/160) vs. 51% (82/160), p < 0.01). Overactive bladder syndrome increased significantly after the operation (18% (29/160) vs. 28% (45/160), p = 0.03), even though the objective parameters, such as first and strong desire to void, bladder oversensitivity, and detrusor overactivity, were all improved after the operation. The pad weight was mostly improved significantly within the first postoperative 2 years. Eighteen (11%) women had global recurrent POP, and only one (0.6%) woman had true recurrence of cystocele. Twenty-four (15%) women had mesh extrusion, and two-thirds of them could be managed in an office setting.

CONCLUSIONS

In women with advanced cystocele, the ATVM surgery provides a favorable anatomic reduction outcome with an acceptable mesh extrusion rate. The ATVM provides an anti-incontinence effect, both in subjective symptoms and objective parameters, but this effect might decline after postoperative 2 years.

Treatment outcomes of detrusor underactivity in women based on clinical and videourodynamic characteristics

PURPOSE

Treatment of voiding dysfunction due to detrusor underactivity (DU) remains challenging. This study sought to determine the characteristics of video urodynamic study (VUDS) in female DU and outcomes after active treatment.

METHODS

A total of 409 female patients with VUDS-proven DU were recruited. All patients received conservative bladder management, with others receiving active treatment, such as oral medication, transurethral incision of bladder neck (TUI-BN), surgery for prolapse, and urethral botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection, according to their VUDS characteristics. Treatment outcomes were then analyzed by different VUDS characteristics.

RESULTS

Satisfactory treatment outcomes were noted in 123 patients (30.0%), among whom 35 and 88 had a VE of > 90% and > 66.7%, respectively. A total of 165 patients (40.3%) had voiding efficiency (VE) of 33.3-66.7%, whereas 121 (29.6%) remained unable to void (12.5%) or had a VE of < 33.3% (17.1%). Conservative treatment had the worst outcome. Patients with normal or slightly reduced bladder sensation (49.3%) and those with a post-void residual (PVR) of < 250 mL (59.4%) displayed better satisfactory outcome after treatment; while TUI-BN and urethral BoNT-A injection promoted better treatment results. Patients with detrusor acontractility and a PVR of ≥ 500 mL still achieved high VE rates (> 66.7%) after TUI-BN. A 56.3% satisfactory outcome was achieved after TUI-BN, whereas 58.1% satisfactory outcome was noted in those with a tight external sphincter after medical treatment.

CONCLUSION

Female patients with DU exhibited VE improvement after active treatment. Patients with very low detrusor contractility and absent bladder sensation generally exhibited poor treatment outcomes.

Sacral neuromodulation in patients with detrusor underactivity: Is biological sex an indicator?

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to report sacral neuromodulation (SNM) outcomes in detrusor underactivity (DU).

METHODS

A multicentric, multinational, retrospective case series was conducted between March 2017 and June 2021 in three different referral centers. Initial test phase stimulation included either a percutaneous nerve evaluation (PNE) or an advanced lead evaluation test phase (ALTP) before permanent SNM implantation. The test phases were performed under local anesthesia, either in the outpatient (PNE) or operating room (ALTP), in the prone position, which was implanted in the third or fourth sacral foramina under fluoroscopic guidance. Patients with favorable response to the initial test phase during the first 2 weeks underwent the implantable pulse generator (IPG) implantation (Medtronic neurostimulation generator device InterStim™). Favorable response was defined as ≥ 50% improvement in symptoms, frequency of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and/or decrease in postvoid residual (PVR), increase in voided volume, or improvement in bladder voiding efficiency (BVE) based on the bladder diary.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients were recruited with a mean age of 39.95 ± 15.28 years. Among the 58 cases, 36 (62.1%) patients responded to the initial stage. Of these, 12 patients (30.8%) with non-neurogenic etiology and nine patients (52.9%) with neurologic etiology did not respond to the initial test phase; thus, they did not undergo full implantation (p = 0.141). Voided volume, PVR, and the median maximum flow rate (Qmax) improved significantly (p < 0.001) in both sexes; however, there was no statistical difference between both genders. Most female cases (78.3%), and nearly half of the men (51.4%), responded to the test phase and were candidates for the IPG phase. Among the 35 cases who underwent IPG, 27 patients (72.2% of males, and 77.8% of females; p = 0.700) had a favorable response to IPG. 46.6% of patients had a successful outcome at the end of the study.

CONCLUSION

This multicentric study showed that SNM effectively and safely provided symptom improvement in refractory DU in males similar to females which is an important finding as previously it has been suggested that SNM works better in nonobstructive urinary retention in women and not in women.

Therapeutic outcome of active management in male patients with detrusor underactivity based on clinical diagnosis and videourodynamic classification

Detrusor underactivity (DU) could be resulted from many different etiologies. Patients with DU might have reduced bladder sensation, low detrusor contractility, and large post-void residual volume. This study analyzed therapeutic outcome of active management for male DU patients, based on clinical and urodynamic characteristics. Male DU patients aged > 18 years old were retrospectively reviewed from the videourodynamic study (VUDS) records in recent 10 years. The patients’ demographics, VUDS results, treatment modalities, and treatment outcome were analyzed. The treatment outcomes were compared among patients with different DU subgroups, clinical diagnosis and treatment modalities. Patients with voiding efficiency of > 66.7% were considered having a successful treatment outcome. For comparison, 30 men with normal VUDS finding served as the control arm. Most of the DU patients had reduced bladder sensation. The reduced bladder sensation is closely associated with low detrusor contractility. After active treatment, a successful outcome was achieved in 68.4% of patients after bladder outlet surgery, 59.1% after urethral botulinum toxin A injection, and 57.6% after medical treatment, but only 18.2% after conservative treatment. A successful treatment outcome was achieved in patients with an intact detrusor contractility, either low (69.2%) or normal voiding pressure (81.8%), and in patients with a normal or increased bladder sensation (78.1%). However, patients with detrusor acontractile (41.3%) or absent bladder sensation (17.9%) had less favorable treatment outcome after any kind of urological management. This study revealed that active management can effectively improve voiding efficiency in patients with DU. The normal bladder sensation, presence of adequate detrusor contractility, and bladder outlet narrowing during VUDS provide effective treatment strategy for DU patients. Among all management, BOO surgery provides the best treatment outcome.

The effects of simulated childbirth trauma on the gene expression of neurotransmitter receptors in the bladder of female rats

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of simulated childbirth on the gene expression of parasympathetic muscarinic, purinergic (P2X), and neurokinin receptors of lower urinary tract in rats.

METHODS

In all, twenty-four primiparous pregnant Sprague-Dawley female rats were equally divided into three groups: (1). Control group; 8 rats, (2) intra-vaginal balloon dilation for 2 h group; 8 rats, (3) and for 4 h group; 8 rats. After balloon dilatation for 4 months, all rats were sacrificed. We analyzed the gene expression of parasympathetic muscarinic, purinergic (P2X), and neurokinin receptors by real-time quantitative PCR (q-PCR). We quantified pro-inflammatory cytokines of TNF-α and IL-6 by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The urodynamic parameters and micturition frequency by cystometry (CMG) were recorded.

RESULTS

Our results showed that the balloon dilation significantly increased micturition frequency and modified peak micturition pressure compare to those in the control groups. Balloon dilation significantly decreased voiding interval and bladder volume compared to those in the control groups. Gene expressions of M3 muscarinic, P2X3 purinergic receptors, and significantly increased following balloon dilation for 2 hours and 4 hours than those in the control group. In addition, we found that NK1R and NK3R receptors were significantly decreased after balloon dilation compare to control group. The marked increase of TNF-α and IL-6 were also seen in the 2 balloon groups.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study suggested that birth trauma may impair the function of urinary tract, this being partly related to the changes in the gene expression of the neurotransmitter receptors of the lower urinary tract.

Detrusor underactivity influences the efficacy of TURP in patients with BPO

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of detrusor underactivity on the efficacy of TURP in patients with benign prostate obstruction.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 350 patients with benign prostate obstruction who underwent TURP was carried out. Different degrees of bladder outlet obstruction were grouped by the bladder outlet obstruction index. ROC curves were used to calculate the optimal cut-off point for the bladder contractility index used to divide the DU patients into mild DU and severe DU patients. The effect of DU on the efficacy of TURP in benign prostate obstruction patients was studied by comparing the subjective and objective parameters preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively between severe DU, mild DU and non-DU benign prostate obstruction patients in two obstruction groups (20 ≤ BOOI < 40 and BOOI ≥ 40).

RESULTS

According to the ROC curve, the optimal cut-off point for the bladder contractility index was 82; thus, 69 patients were considered mild DU patients (82 ≤ BCI < 100), 67 patients were considered severe DU patients (BCI < 82), and 214 patients were considered non-DU patients (BCI ≥ 100). Both the postoperative subjective and objective parameters of the non-DU, mild DU and severe DU patients significantly improved in two obstruction groups. However, in the 20 ≤ BOOI < 40 group, the successful improvement rates for the IPSS, IPSS-S, IPSS-V, QoL and fQmax in the severe DU patients were only 38.2%, 38.2%, 44.1%, 41.2% and 38.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Patients with varying degrees of benign prostate obstruction can benefit from TURP, but for patients with severe DU in the 20 ≤ BOOI < 40 group, TURP should be considered only after deliberation.

Understanding underactive bladder: a review of the contemporary literature

Underactive bladder (UAB) is characterized by prolonged voiding, hesitancy, and slow and/or intermittent stream with or without a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying. The overlap of UAB lower urinary tract symptoms with those of overactive bladder or bladder outlet obstruction, as well as its multifactorial etiology, make UAB study, as well as its diagnosis and management, a very arduous and challenging task. Therefore, despite its incidence and significant impact in the quality of life of both men and women, UAB remains a poorly understood urologic condition with insufficient and ineffective treatment options available. In this review, we will focus on the etiology theories that have been proposed and the animal models available to test those theories.

Detrusor underactivity versus bladder outlet obstruction clinical and urodynamic factors

Objectives:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Comparison of the vault prolapse rate after vaginal hysterectomy with or without residual uterine ligament ligations: A retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the post-hysterectomy vault prolapse (PHVP) rates performed using different methods of vaginal total hysterectomy (VTH).

METHODS

A total of 251 women who underwent VTH with/without concomitant surgeries between January 1986 and December 2001 in a tertiary center. Thirty-eight women were excluded due to not only a vaginal approach. Of the remaining 213 women, 129 and 84 underwent VTH via the Tsuzi method with residual uterine ligament ligations (ligations group) and traditional VTH (without ligations group), respectively. The χ² and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied appropriately. The cumulative percentages of women without PHVP were calculated over time and compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Compared to the without ligations group, women in the ligations group had longer operation time (115.9 ± 37.1 vs. 103.3 ± 41.4 min, p = 0.002) and more blood loss (217.4 ± 137.8 vs. 148.2 ± 149.0 mL, p < 0.001). When focusing on women with uterine prolapse, only operation time and grade of uterine prolapse were different between the groups (117.3 ± 24.8 vs. 107.9 ± 40.5 min, p = 0.025, and 21% vs. 41%, p = 0.018, respectively). The rate of PHVP was significantly lower in the ligation group than in the without ligations group (0 vs. 5, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

VTH via the Tsuzi method with residual uterine ligament ligations resulted in fewer cases of PHVP than occurred in traditional VTH. If native tissue repair is planned in pelvic reconstruction surgery, VTH with residual uterine ligament ligations should be considered.

Underactive bladder: A review of the current treatment concepts

According to the International Continence Society standardization reports, underactive bladder (UAB) is a decrease in detrusor contraction and/or shortening of the contraction time, resulting in an incomplete and/or prolongation of the bladder emptying within the normal time frame. It has been indicated that idiopathic, neurogenic, myogenic, and iatrogenic factors play a role in the etiology. To make a diagnosis, it is absolutely necessary to perform a pressure-flow study. Treatment alternatives are generally based on the evacuation of the lower urinary tract, independent of the etiology. UAB treatments are listed under the headings of conservative methods and clean intermittent catheterization, pharmacotherapy (alpha-blockers, cholinesterase inhibitors, muscarinic agonists, prostaglandin E2, and acotiamide), surgical treatments (sacral nerve stimulation-electrical stimulation, injections into the external sphincter, surgeries to be performed for bladder outlet obstruction, reduction cystoplasty, and latissimus dorsi detrusor myoplasty), and stem cell and gene therapies. It is still controversial whether satisfactory success is achieved in the treatment of patients with UAB. Owing to the better understanding of the pathophysiology, future developments in the pharmaceutical industry, gene therapy, and biomedical applications are expected to close the gap in the treatment.

Efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin a injection into urethral sphincter for underactive bladder

Background

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection into the urethral sphincter to treat patients with underactive bladder (UAB).

Methods

From September 2012 to December 2018, 35 patients with UAB who presented with dysuria were treated with BTX-A (Prosigne®, Lanzhou Biological Products, Lanzhou, China). All patients were evaluated using the International Continence Society standard for video-urodynamic examination before and 1 month after treatment. The index includes maximum urinary flow rate, detrusor leak point pressure, and maximum urethral pressure. Post-voiding residual urine volume was measured using ultrasound before, one and 3 months post injection.

Results

After 1 month of treatment, the maximum flow rate increased from 2.5 ± 1.1 ml/s to 6.6 ± 1.7 ml/s (P < 0. 05). The maximum urethral pressure decreased from 73.5 ± 5.8 cmH₂o to 45.6 ± 4.3cmH₂O (P < 0. 05). The detrusor leak point pressure decreased from 69.9 ± 20.7cmH₂O to 26.3 ± 7.4cmH₂O (P < 0. 01). Post-voiding residual urine decreased from 282.8 ± 134.2 ml to 125.0 ± 92.1 ml (P < 0. 01) but increased to 270.1 ± 129.0 ml 3 months post injection. Of the 35 patients, 57.1% (20/35) relied on clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) before injection, but 75.0% (15/20) of them could partly void 1 month after injection, and 25%(5/20) could void without CIC. Eight patients showed hydronephrosis before treatment; in three of them, hydronephrosis decreased slightly, while it resolved in two. All patients were followed for three to 6 months, and the effect lasted for about two to 3 months. No serious adverse events occurred in any patient.

Conclusions

The results suggest that Prosigne® injection into the urethral sphincter is an effective, safe, and inexpensive way to treat UAB.