Does cystoscopy method affect the investigation of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis?

Introduction And Hypothesis: Cystoscopic investigation to identify associated histological findings of increased mast cells in the detrusor muscle has been recommended by the European Society for the Study of Bladder Pain Syndrome (ESSIC) in the investigation of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). The aim of this study was to identify if the cystoscopy approach impacts the biopsy results when investigating women presenting with symptoms of BPS/IC.

Methods: We performed a single-centre retrospective analysis of 300 bladder biopsy reports from 2015 to 2018 from women undergoing cystoscopy for BPS/IC.

Does size matter? Perineometer and digital examination of a model levator hiatus.

Introduction: Evaluation of the female pelvic floor muscles is commonly carried out with digital examination and assigning a modified Oxford scale score or vaginal manometry. Racial differences can influence the size of the levator hiatus (LH) with "black" or African nulliparous women having a significantly larger LH compared to Caucasian women. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of LH size on manometry readings of simulated pelvic floor muscle contractions (PFMCs) using a small and large model LH.

The role of bladder instillation in the treatment of bladder pain syndrome: Is intravesical treatment an effective option for patients with bladder pain as well as LUTS?

The aetiology of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis is still unknown. Numerous mechanisms have been proposed and treatments targeting various aspects of these are used. This review looks at the existing evidence on bladder instillations and whether they could be used in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms as well.

Posterior tibial nerve stimulation for overactive bladder-techniques and efficacy.

The ideal treatment for overactive bladder is still elusive. In those where medication fails to improve symptoms options include invasive treatments such as botulinum toxin-A, sacral neural stimulation or posterior tibial nerve stimulation. Scientific professional society guidelines advise percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation as a third line treatment option only after multi-disciplinary team review as well as failure of both conservative and pharmacological management.

The use of laser in urogynaecology.

Introduction: The use of lasers in urogynaecology has increased in recent years. Their use has been described in pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence and genito-urinary symptoms of menopause. The aim of this study was to review the published literature on CO and erbium:YAG laser use in urogynaecological conditions.

The pelvic floor muscle hyperalgesia (PFMH) scoring system: a new classification tool to assess women with chronic pelvic pain: multicentre pilot study of validity and reliability.

Objective: The contribution of pelvic floor muscle tenderness to chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is well established in the literature. However pelvic floor muscle hyperalgesia (PFMH) is often missed during vaginal examination of women with CPP. To our knowledge criteria for diagnosing PFMH has not been established or validated so far.

Lack of association of joint hypermobility with urinary incontinence subtypes and pelvic organ prolapse.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that joint hypermobility (JHM) is associated with specific urinary incontinence (UI) subtypes and uterovaginal prolapse.

Patients And Methods: In all, 270 women scheduled to undergo urodynamic investigations were invited to self-complete a validated five-item JHM questionnaire. Women underwent history taking, symptoms assessing via the King's Health Questionnaire and clinical examination using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system.

Biomarkers in overactive bladder.

A biomarker is an indicator of a particular disease. It is generally used to define the presence (diagnostic biomarker), severity, progression (prognostic biomarker) of a condition and/or its response to a specific treatment (predictive biomarker). Biomarkers can be specific cells, enzymes, hormones, genes or gene products, which can be detected and measured in parts of the body such as blood, urine or tissue.

Botulinum neurotoxin type A injection of the pelvic floor muscle in pain due to spasticity: a review of the current literature.

The role of muscle spasm is not a new concept in the genesis of pain. Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNTA) has been successfully employed in a variety of muscular and inflammatory conditions. The aim of our study was to review the published literature on the role of BoNTA injection of the pelvic floor muscle in the management of women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP).

Use of mirabegron in treating overactive bladder.

The lack of an alternative to antimuscarinics has led to the search for new drug targets for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. The presence of β-3 adrenoreceptors in the bladder has been confirmed, and they are known to have a role in bladder relaxation. Targeting these receptors improves bladder compliance on filling and increases bladder capacity.

Mirabegron - a selective β3-adrenoreceptor agonist for the treatment of overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder is a common condition that significantly impacts overall quality of life. Antimuscarinics are the current main pharmacological option for treatment; however, many patients fail to adhere to therapy due to troublesome side effects. Mirabegron is a new beta-3 adrenoreceptor agonist which causes detrusor smooth muscle relaxation and has been proposed to be effective for treating overactive bladder symptoms.