Dr. Nickel and his collaborative research network have undertaken numerous etiology, epidemiology, diagnostic, and treatment studies in the field of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) referred to collectively as Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (UCPPS). He and his research group have participated in the NIH funded CPCRN (1 and 2), ICTTG and ICCRN collaborative research networks evaluating CP/CPPS and IC/BPS respectively and Dr. Nickel was the Project Leader for the first Trans-MAPP Infection Etiology Study. Based on this experience, we hypothesize that symptom severity, impact and patterns (including flares) in defined patient phenotypes are associated with very heterogeneous patient-specific urinary microbial or microbiome patterns (or changes) as well as (partner) factors, other psychological parameters (depression, catastrophizing, illness perception), sleep, sexual status, and environment factors (diet, perceived stress, exercise).
Our aim (Aim 1) is the enhance the proposed trans-MAPP Symptom Pattern Study by becoming an active Discovery Site, employing our expertise and experience to assist in patient enrollment (particularly difficult to enroll patient subtypes) as well as to suggest clinical, physical, urological and psychosocial assessment and outcome tools for predictive phenotype identification. We further plan (Aim 2) to expand our initial and ongoing trans-MAPP Infection Etiology Project (using state of the art culture independent technology) to determine the clinical implications and impact of the microbiome of the lower urinary tract on symptoms (symptom phenotype) and changing symptom patterns (including flares) in patients with UCPPS enrolled in the trans-MAPP Symptom Pattern Study.
Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (UCPPS) is a prevalent, costly (for individual patients, health care systems and society), debilitating, chronic pain condition that severely impacts patients' quality of life including life and work related activities. The cause of UCPPS is poorly understood and our treatment success is dismal. A better understanding of etiologic factors, such as the microbiome (bacteria and fungi), impacting symptom patterns will allow for development of more rational and scientific-based management strategies. PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 06/09) Page Continuation Format Page
| Kutch, Jason J; Ichesco, Eric; Hampson, Johnson P et al. (2017) Brain signature and functional impact of centralized pain: a multidisciplinary approach to the study of chronic pelvic pain (MAPP) network study. Pain 158:1979-1991 |
| Nickel, J Curtis (2017) Biomarkers for urological chronic pelvic pain: is there light at the end of the tunnel? BJU Int 120:2-3 |
| Nickel, J Curtis; Stephens, Alisa; Landis, J Richard et al. (2016) Assessment of the Lower Urinary Tract Microbiota during Symptom Flare in Women with Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A MAPP Network Study. J Urol 195:356-62 |
| Nickel, J Curtis; Stephens, Alisa; Landis, J Richard et al. (2015) Search for Microorganisms in Men with Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Culture-Independent Analysis in the MAPP Research Network. J Urol 194:127-35 |
