Loyola Researchers to Compare Ways to Improve Bladder Control for Women
MAYWOOD -- A new study is underway at Loyola University Health System (LUHS) to compare botulinum toxin A or Botox® versus common oral medications for urge incontinence in women. Urge incontinence is urinary incontinence with a strong or sudden need to urinate. Millions of women suffer in silence each day from this condition.
“Incontinence is a legitimate health concern that can detract from the quality of life that each woman should have,” said Linda Brubaker, MD, director, Division of Female Pelvic & Reconstructive Surgery, Loyola University Health System, and associate dean for Clinical and Translational Research, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (SSOM). “We want to offer improved treatment so that women no longer have to fear that their bladder will lose control. We know that this problem is treatable, and we anticipate that this major research study will guide doctors to the best treatment for their patients.”
Approximately one in four American women have at least one pelvic floor disorder such as urinary incontinence. Current methods to treat urinary urge incontinence include lifestyle modifications, pelvic floor exercises and medications.
This study will evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of each treatment strategy as measured by the change in urge incontinence episodes over six months. One group of women will receive the wrinkle reducer, which paralyzes the bladder muscle and improves symptoms of urge incontinence. The other group will receive traditional medication, which blocks bladder contractions. Adult women must have five or more urge incontinence episodes in a span of three days to be eligible for this study.
LUHS' Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Center was the first of its kind in greater Chicago. It is still one of the few centers in the country that offers a single location for the multi-disciplinary diagnosis and treatment of women with pelvic floor disorders. LUHS’ urogynecological surgeons, doctors with the combined expertise of gynecology and urology, provide the most advanced medical and surgical care available for women with problems related to the lower urinary tract and the pelvic floor.
To join the study or learn more about causes and treatments for female pelvic disorders, call (888) LUHS-888, ext. 64188, or visit www.loyolamedicine.org.
Loyola University Health System (LUHS) is a member of Trinity Health. Based in the western suburbs of Chicago, LUHS is a quaternary care system with a 61-acre main medical center campus, the 36-acre Gottlieb Memorial Hospital campus and more than 30 primary and specialty care facilities in Cook, Will and DuPage counties. The medical center campus is conveniently located in Maywood, 13 miles west of the Chicago Loop and 8 miles east of Oak Brook, Ill. The heart of the medical center campus, Loyola University Hospital, is a 569-licensed-bed facility. It houses a Level 1 Trauma Center, a Burn Center and the Ronald McDonald® Children’s Hospital of Loyola University Medical Center. Also on campus are the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola Outpatient Center, Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine and Loyola Oral Health Center as well as the LUC Stritch School of Medicine, the LUC Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing and the Loyola Center for Fitness. Loyola's Gottlieb campus in Melrose Park includes the 264-licensed-bed community hospital, the Professional Office Building housing 150 private practice clinics, the Adult Day Care, the Gottlieb Center for Fitness, Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Care and the Loyola Cancer Care & Research at the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Center at Melrose Park.