Urine Nerve Growth Factor May Not Be Useful as a Biomarker of Overactive Bladder in Patients with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Abstract

(1) Background: Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms are frequently present in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Although urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) is a promising biomarker of OAB, little is known about its role in patients with OAB secondary to POP. The aim of the study was to evaluate urinary NGF levels in patients with POP involving the anterior vaginal wall and check if it may serve as a predicting factor for postoperative resolution of OAB symptoms. (2) Methods: Eighty-three Caucasian women included in the study were divided into three groups: pure OAB, one associated with POP (POP&OAB) and a control group composed of healthy volunteers. The urine NGF and creatinine were assessed with ELISA tests to calculate the NGF/creatinine ratio. (3) Results: The NGF/creatinine ratio was significantly higher in patients with pure OAB in comparison with other groups; however, it did not differ between the control group and the POP&OAB group. There was no correlation between NGF/creatinine ratio and age, menopausal status, BMI, parity or urodynamic findings. The NGF/creatinine ratio was not a prognostic factor for OAB symptoms' resolution after surgical treatment of POP. (4) Conclusions: Urinary NGF excretion is not increased in women with OAB secondary to POP; thus, it may not serve as an OAB biomarker in these patients.

Keywords: biomarkers; creatinine; detrusor overactivity; nerve growth factor; overactive bladder; pelvic organ prolapse.

Figure 1

Flowchart shows number of patients screened and included in the study. OAB—pure OAB, POP&OAB—pelvic organ prolapse with urgency.

Figure 2

Urine NGF/creatinine ratio in the study groups. The mean urine NGF/creatinine ratio was higher in the OAB group than in the POP&OAB and control groups (p < 0.05); however, it did not differ significantly between POP&OAB and control patients (*).