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. 2019 Jun;38(5):1339-1352.
doi: 10.1002/nau.23985. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Terminology for bladder health research in women and girls: Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms transdisciplinary consortium definitions

Jerry L Lowder  1 , Tamara G Bavendam  2 , Amanda Berry  3 , Sonya S Brady  4 , Colleen M Fitzgerald  5   6 , Cynthia S Fok  7 , Patricia S Goode  8   9 , Cora E Lewis  10 , Elizabeth R Mueller  5 , Diane K Newman  11 , Mary H Palmer  12 , Leslie Rickey  13 , Ann Stapleton  14 , Emily S Lukacz  15
Affiliations

Terminology for bladder health research in women and girls: Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms transdisciplinary consortium definitions

Jerry L Lowder et al. Neurourol Urodyn. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

Aim: To report research terminology and definitions for describing healthy bladder function among women and girls.

Methods: The Prevention of Lower Urinary tract Symptoms (PLUS) Consortium developed research terminology and definitions for elements of healthy bladder function based on existing understanding of storage and emptying functions of the bladder and accepted definitions of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The novel concept of a bladder "bioregulatory" function was also proposed. Elements of bladder function corresponding to bladder health (BH) and LUTS were developed and refined using an iterative process. A comprehensive reference table structured by bladder function (Storage, Emptying, and Bioregulatory) and elements of each function was created to document proposed research terminology and definitions.

Results: The BH research definitions for each bladder function are: (1) Storage: the ability to hold urine for a reasonable duration of time and sense bladder fullness without fear of or concern about urgency, discomfort or leakage; (2) Emptying: the ability to empty the bladder completely in a timely, efficient, effortless, comfortable manner; and (3) Bioregulatory: the bladder barrier protects the individual/host from pathogens, chemicals, and malignancy. Research definitions for seven Storage, seven Emptying, and three Bioregulatory elements of function are presented. Novel LUTS research definitions were developed when gaps in existing definitions were identified or nonclinical language was desired.

Conclusions: PLUS BH definitions reflect a transdisciplinary approach to standardizing research definitions for elements of bladder function from a perspective of health rather than dysfunction and provide a framework for studying BH in clinical practice, public health promotion, and LUTS prevention.

Keywords: bladder health; girls; terminology; transdisciplinary; women.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

Jerry L. Lowder, MD, MSc: None

Tamara G. Bavendam, MD, MS: None

Amanda Berry, MSN, CRNP, PhD: None

Sonya S. Brady, PhD: None

Colleen M. Fitzgerald, MD, MS: Royalties – UpToDate

Cynthia S. Fok, MD, MPH: Royalties - UpToDate

Patricia S. Goode, MSN, MD: None

Cora E. Lewis, MD, MSPH: None

Elizabeth R. Mueller, MD, MSME: Advisory Board: Boston Scientific, Principal Investigator: Astellas, Royalties – UpToDate

Diane K. Newman, DNP, FAAN: Research Support: GTx, Wellspect; Consultant: Verathon, Royalties: Springer; Editor: UroToday Pelvic Health Center

Mary H. Palmer, PhD: None

Leslie Rickey, MPH, MD: Royalties – UpToDate

Ann Stapleton, MD, FIDSA, FACP: Consultant, Paratek, GSK

Emily S. Lukacz, MD: Consultant -Axonics; Research support – Boston Scientific, Uroplasty/Cogentix, Pfizer; Royalties – UpToDate.

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