PARIS, FRANCE (UroToday.com) - In this abstract, the authors note that several studies discussing the pathology of overactive bladder suggest changes in urinary proteins.
The neurotrophine nerve growth factor (NGF) seems to be an important marker in overactive bladder syndrome (OAB). In this prospectively designed study they evaluated NGF blood levels (sNGF) initially and after injection of botulinum toxin type-A (BTX-A) in the detrusor muscle in patients suffering from idiopathic OAB.
Blood samples were obtained from 26 patients (66.5 years, 28-83) with idiopathic OAB. sNGF levels were measured before and 4 weeks after BTX-A treatment by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Thirty-two healthy persons with normal bladder function served as controls (41 years, 19-60). sNGF was set in relation to clinical data and the severity of OAB (wet/dry).
Significantly higher sNGF levels were detected in patients with OAB compared to the control group (58.8 pg/ml vs. 2.0 pg/ml, p 60 years showed significantly higher sNGF levels (77.2 pg/ml vs. 8.9 pg/ml, p<0.05) compared to younger OAB patients. After BTX-A therapy sNGF-levels decreased significantly compared to baseline (p <0.005).
NGF appears to play a decisive role in OAB. The use as a biomarker in both the diagnostics and follow-up after therapy seems promising. To what extent sNGF can be useful as a biomarker or in therapy monitoring needs to be examined prospectively in a larger population.
Presented by Knippschild S, Frohme C, Olbert P, Hofmann R, and Hegele A at the 27th Annual European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress - February 24 - 28, 2012 - Le Palais des Congrès de Paris, Paris, France
Philipps University, Medical School, Dept. of Urology, Marburg, Germany
View EAU 2012 Annual Meeting Coverage
