Neurological and Urological Symptoms Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Neurological and Urological Symptoms Study
IRAS ID
195509
Contact name
Ingrid Hoeritzauer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 8 days
Research summary
We wish to understand more about the link between functional neurological disorders and lower urinary tract dysfunction. From our own clinical work and form discussions with colleagues around the country we know that some patients seen in urology clinics with bladder problems have distressing functional neurological disorders and some patients seen in clinics by neurologists with functional neurological disorders have distressing bladder problems. Our study will be the first to explore these problems in large numbers of patients.
Fowler’s syndrome describes chronic urinary retention related to primary failure of urethral sphincter relaxation with characteristic urethral sphincter EMG findings. Prior to 1986 women with this problem were often "dismissed" as having psychogenic urinary retention and managed with long-term catheterisation. An additional large group of patients exist with chronic idiopathic urinary retention/dysfunctional voiding without characteristic EMG abnormalities who may or may have the same process causing urinary retention. In our urology study we will focus on these patients because widespread opinion and pilot data from our research group suggests that they often have higher than expected comorbidity particularly of functional neurological conditions such as non-epileptic attacks and unexplained pain. Focused assessments of the physical or psychological comorbidity of patients with chronic idiopathic urinary retention/dysfunctional voiding and Fowler’s syndrome have never been undertaken.
Our study will investigate the proportion of patients with chronic idiopathic urinary retention/dysfunctional voiding or Fowler’s syndrome who have functional neurological disorders, and the proportion of patients with functional neurological disorders who have urinary symptoms.
As part of our study we will pilot a questionnaire to help identify patients at high risk of having a functional neurological disorder. Our key goal is to increase knowledge, awareness and treatment of these disorders thus improving quality of life.REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
16/SS/0107
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion