medical research

Urology in the Lab: Researchers link EBV to Multiple Sclerosis

Urology in the Lab starts off with data from a study that very strongly implicates Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as the causative agent underlying multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disease that often finds its way into the urology clinic due to neurogenic bladder that can develop during the course of disease. Read more.

Urology Times, November 27, 2023

imaging brain head

Medical Mysteries: Dizzy and Off-balance, She Searched for the Cause

The first sign of trouble was difficulty reading. In late 2014 Cathy A. Haft, a New York real estate broker who divides her time between Brooklyn and Long Island, thought she needed new glasses. But an eye exam found that her prescription was largely unchanged.  Bladder problems came next, followed by impaired balance, intermittent dizziness and unexplained falls. By 2018 Haft, unable to show properties because she was too unsteady on her feet, was forced to retire. Read more.

Source: Washington Post, November 25, 2023

drugs for overactive bladder (OAB)

Versameb AG Announces FDA Clearance of IND Application for VMB-100 in the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence

Versameb AG (“Versameb”), a pre-clinical stage company focused on transforming RNA therapeutics to treat unmet medical needs, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND) application of VMB-100, a potency enhanced messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding human insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).  Following this clearance, Versameb plans to launch a Phase 2a open label, first-in-human dose ascending study in the first half of 2024. The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of VMB-100 in female subjects with stress urinary incontinence, a highly common condition resulting in involuntary leakage of urine due to a weakened urinary sphincter muscle. Read more.

Source: Pharmaweb.com, November 17, 2023

clinical medical

Multi-center Study Published in Urology Confirms Efficacy and Safety of Avation Medical’s Noninvasive Vivally® System for OAB

Avation Medical, Inc., an innovative neuromodulation and digital health company with a mission to make wearable peripheral neuromodulation accessible to patients across a variety of clinical conditions, today announced the publication of safety and efficacy results from a  multi-center study, “FREEOAB”, for its novel Vivally System in Urology, a leading, peer–reviewed journal for urologists.  “The Vivally System represents a significant advancement in bladder control therapy as a non-invasive, patient-centered therapy providing patients with effective treatment, performed in the home, without the need for surgery or drugs,” said Dr. Colin Goudelocke, Principal Investigator for the FREEOAB Study.  “In our study, significant reductions in symptom burden were observed at 12 weeks which, notably, persisted out to 12 months, even with a reduction in frequency of therapy sessions.” Read more.

Source: PRNewswire, November 15, 2023

meeting conference

The Annual Economic Burden of Urinary Incontinence Could Reach €87 Billion In 2030 If No Action Is Taken

New international research on the economic burden of urinary incontinence reveals that the cost of continence care will reach an estimated €69.1 billion in 2023. These costs include the impact of incontinence on individuals’ health, the costs of medical consultations and products such as continence pads, incontinence-related absenteeism at work, nursing home admissions, and the environmental impact of incontinence care. If no action is taken to support continence health, the economic burden could rise by 25% in 2030, to €86.7 billion. This economic burden becomes considerably higher when including caregiver costs. Read more.

Source: EurekAlert!, November 7, 2023

nurse and patient

UROwebinar: (Data-driven) Shared Decision-Making (SDM) in the Management of Incontinence

This recorded webinar intends to clarify the value of (data-driven) Shared Decision-making (SDM) in the management of incontinence. Learning Objectives: -The benefits and value of data-driven SDM. -How can urologists facilitate (data-driven) shared decision-making with their patients? -The need for patient reported outcomes in the management of incontinence. Speakers: Dr. M.R. Van Balken (NL) Mrs. M.L. Van Poelgeest-Pomfret (NL) Mr. J. Phillips (GB) Mrs. J. Ghith (US) This recorded webinar is brought to you in collaboration with WFIPP. Link to the recorded webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7bhMjVsPUY

Source: November 2, 2023

Higher Rate of Bladder Neck Incompetence in Mixed Urinary Incontinence

Patients with mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) have a higher rate of bladder neck incompetence (BNI), according to a study published online Sept. 29 in the World Journal of Urology.  Yu-Chen Chen, from the Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan, and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis involving 184 patients with stress UI (SUI), MUI, urge UI (UUI), or dry overactive bladder (OAB) who underwent transrectal ultrasound between 2017 and 2022. In all included patients, the presence of BNI and urethral incompetence was recorded. Read more.

Source: Medical Xpress, November 1, 2023

older woman elderly

Addressing the Psychological Side Effects of Incontinence

Incontinence and diapers are often associated with babies and young children. They are considered parts of a natural learning curve and growing up. However, incontinence does not discriminate—it impacts people of all ages and walks of life and, for some, continues or returns in adulthood. In fact, 50% to 84% of older people in long-term care facilities struggle with incontinence and more than 25 million adult Americans experience temporary or chronic urinary incontinence. Read more.

Source: Homecare, October 31, 2023

pregnancy woman childbirth

A Muscle-Regenerating Gel Aims to Treat Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions

In vaginal childbirth, the pelvic muscles are subjected to tremendous stretching and can suffer damage, e.g., tears. These injuries can lead to pelvic floor disorders such as pelvic organ prolapse and urinary and fecal incontinence. The most common treatment option is rehabilitation, although in acute cases surgery may be necessary. However, the damaged fibers do not recover, says Pamela Duran, a bioengineer at the University of California. She and her team have created a hydrogel based on an extracellular matrix extracted from pigs, which has succeeded in regenerating the affected tissue. The results of the research, which was conducted in rats, were recently published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Read more.

Source: El Pais, October 30, 2023

nursing home patients

NHS Waste Half a BILLION Pounds a Year Due to Substandard Incontinence Care

The NHS is ‘leaking’ more than half a BILLION pounds a year – through substandard incontinence care, according to a report. There are currently 164,833 people in residential care and nursing homes who experience difficulty with bladder or bowel control. But an eight-week value-based procurement pilot carried out at two care homes in Lincolnshire has exposed both the cost, and indignity, of cheap, ill-fitting pads and protection. The study, carried out by hygiene and health company Essity in partnership with the NHS, investigated the impact of providing more clinically appropriate products in lieu of those chosen on unit cost alone. Read more.

Source: Yahoo! News UK, October 11, 2023