Urethral sphincter and pelvic floor function 1.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Urethral sphincter and pelvic floor function
IRAS ID
154941
Contact name
Roopali Karmarkar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
Title: Urethral sphincter and pelvic floor function
Background: Urinary continence mainly depends on function of the urethral sphincter and support to the bladder neck. The pelvic floor performs the dual function of supporting the pelvic structures and maintaining their functional integrity.
Various tests are designed to understand the pathophysiology of pelvic organ dysfunction. They are mainly pelvic organ prolapse quantification test(POPQ), urodynamic studies, ultrasound scan, cystoscopy and biopsy.
These tests, when considered individually, correlate with the patient symptoms only partially and provide limited understanding of the pathophysiology. Studies have been conducted to assess their predictive value for diagnosis of disease and outcome of treatment but they have failed to provide significant evidence. However, correlation amongst these various tests and their diagnostic and predictive value needs to be established in order to make a diagnosis with minimal intervention and achieve best treatment outcome.
Aim: To compare different clinical tools to assess the structure and function of the bladder, urethral sphincter, anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscle and to rule out their role in predicting outcomes of continence and/or prolapse surgery.
Study population includes :
1.Women with lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS) and/or urogenital prolapse symptoms
2.Women undergoing urodynamic tests
3.Women who are undergoing or have undergone childbirth, cystoscopy, continence surgery or prolapse surgery.
Study site : St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington
Study design: The participants will
1.Fill in questionnaires
2.Undergo Transperineal and transvaginal ultrasound
3.Women undergoing continence surgery will perform pad test any time after 6 months from the surgery.
The study also involves the assessment of urodynamic tests in women.
Duration : The study will be performed over the course of one year.REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2051
Date of REC Opinion
2 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion