HMS-ESTEEM

Human Microbe Study for ESTEEM

Public Access Data and Forms

The cause of mixed urinary incontinence is unknown. A first step in exploring the reason women suffer from mixed urinary incontinence is to identify differences that may exist between women with and without mixed incontinence. Until recently, urine was believed to be sterile or completely bacteria-free. Using new research techniques called genetic (DNA) analysis; scientists have been able to identify very small amounts of bacteria in the urine of many women.

The HMS-ESTEEM study will compare the bacterial environments of the bladder and vagina in women with mixed urinary incontinence who are enrolled in the ESTEEM trial with women (controls) who report that they do not experience urgency or stress incontinence.

HMS-ESTEEM participants will have catheterized urine specimens and vaginal specimens sent for culture and DNA analysis. We are seeking 210 women to participate in this study.

We believe that this research will help us understand the potential role that bacteria may play in causing or perhaps protecting women from mixed urinary incontinence.

Study Participants will be:

  1. Women enrolled in the ESTEEM Study, a study evaluating women with mixed urinary incontinence (those women who suffer from both cough/laugh/sneeze involuntary urine loss and urine loss associated with sensations of urinary urgency) and
  2. Controls who are women unaffected by symptoms of mixed urinary incontinence.

STUDY RESULTS

Komesu YM, Richter HE, Dinwiddie DL, Siddiqui NY, Sung VW, Lukacz ES, Ridgeway B, Arya LA, Zyczynski HM, Rogers RG, Gantz M. Methodology for a vaginal and urinary microbiome study in women with mixed urinary incontinence. International urogynecology journal. 2017 May; 28(5): 711-720.

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Komesu YM, Dinwiddie DL, Richter HE, Lukacz ES, Sung VW, Siddiqui NY, Zyczynski HM, Ridgeway B, Rogers RG, Arya LA, Mazloomdoost D, Levy J, Carper B, Gantz MG, NICHD Pelvic Floor Disorders Network. Defining the Relationship Between Vaginal and Urinary Microbiomes. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.. 2019 Aug; (): .

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