How do we make progress in phenotyping patients with LUT such as OAB and underactive detrusor, including using urine markers and microbiome data, in order to personalize therapy? ICI-RS 2023: Part 1.

INTRODUCTION: Overactive bladder (OAB) and Underactive bladder (UAB) could be associated with metabolic syndrome, affective disorders, sex hormone deficiency, changes in urinary microbiota, functional gastrointestinal disorders, or autonomic nervous system dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this Think Tank was to provide a guide on how to investigate OAB and/or detrusor underactivity (DU) patients to better clarify the underlying pathophysiology and possibly personalize the treatment. METHODS: A compendium of discussion based on the current evidence related to phenotyping patients with OAB or DU investigating metabolic, neurogical, psychological and gastrointestinal aspects with the aim to personalize the treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The article emphasizes the critical significance of adopting a comprehensive yet tailored approach to phenotyping patients with lower urinary tract symptoms, such as OAB and UAB. The intricate interplay between the lower urinary tract and various factors, metabolic, neurological, psychological, and gastrointestinal can define unique LUT profiles, enabling personalized therapies to replace the one-size-fits-all approach.

How do we make progress in phenotyping patients with lower urinary tract such as overactive bladder and underactive detrusor, including using urine markers and microbiome data, to personalize therapy? ICI-RS 2023-Part 2.

INTRODUCTION: Overactive bladder (OAB) and underactive bladder (UAB) could be associated with metabolic syndrome, affective disorders, sex hormone deficiency, changes in urinary microbiota, functional gastrointestinal disorders, or autonomic nervous system dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this Think Tank was to provide a guide on how to investigate OAB and/or detrusor underactivity (DU) patients to better clarify the underlying pathophysiology and possibly personalize the treatment. METHODS: A compendium of discussion based on the current evidence related to phenotyping patients with OAB or DU using urodynamic tests, functional neuro-imaging, urinary markers, and microbiome. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The article emphasizes the critical significance of adopting a comprehensive yet tailored approach to phenotyping patients with lower urinary tract (LUT) symptoms, such as OAB and UAB. The intricate interplay between the LUT and various factors, metabolic, neurological, psychological, and gastrointestinal can define unique LUT profiles, enabling personalized therapies to replace the one-size-fits-all approach.

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity in multiple sclerosis patients: a historically controlled study.

Background: Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is widely used in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, controlled studies are still lacking.Objective:: To assess effectiveness of PTNS in MS patients with NDO unresponsive to pharmacological and behavioural therapies. Methods: MS patients with NDO were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were NDO not responding to pharmacological and behavioural therapies. Exclusion criteria were the presence of relevant comorbidities and urinary tract infections. Patients were evaluated using 3-day bladder diaries and validated questionnaires at baseline, after 4 weeks of educational therapy and after 12 PTNS sessions. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of patients considered responders after the behavioural therapy and after the PTNS in a historical controlled fashion (definition of 'responder' was reduction ⩾50% of urgency episodes). Results: A total of 33 patients (26 women, 7 men) were enrolled. Two patients dropped out for reasons not related to the protocol. Two out of 31 patients (6.5%) and 21/29 (72.4%) were considered responders at visits 1 and 2, respectively. In PTNS responders, a statistically significant improvement in both bladder diary results and standardized questionnaire scores was recorded, compared with that obtained with behavioural therapy alone. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: This historically controlled study suggests that PTNS may be effective in improving NDO in MS patients.

The role of glycosaminoglycans in the management of chronic pelvic pain: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are involved in the pathogenesis of several urologic chronic diseases. Thus, GAGs replenishment therapy is widely reported as a therapeutic tool for chronic pelvic pain (CPP) conditions such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and prostate pain syndrome/chronic prostatitis. In this article we reviewed the current status of evidence on the clinic applications of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the CPP. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search from inception was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement to identify clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and guidelines. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 29 papers were identified regarding the use of GAGs in CPP. CONCLUSIONS: GAGs replenishment therapy results are encouraging in chronic forms of pelvic pain even though well-powered randomized clinical trials are needed to better comprehend the exact role of this treatment.