1 Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent among women in the United States (US) with 2 profound health, social, and economic implications. However many women do not understand these health 3 consequences, and even symptomatic women often do not seek treatment. A majority of LUTS research and 4 clinical practice has focused on treatment of the most affected subset of women; thus the evidence base for 5 prevention is sparse. An improved understanding of risk and protective factors for LUTS development in 6 women across the life course is essential to inform the development and evaluation of prevention interventions. 7 The goal of the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Consortium is to conduct collaborative, 8 transdisciplinary studies to establish the evidence base for future intervention studies to promote bladder 9 health and prevent LUTS in adolescent and adult women. The Yale Clinical Research Center has substantively 10 contributed to this effort over the last 4 years by engaging in?and leading?PLUS foundational work including 11 the development of a conceptual framework, formative qualitative and quantitative research, strategic planning, 12 measure- and protocol-development, and the active engagement of communities of scientists, clinicians, and 13 the lay public through publications, conference presentations, and community outreach efforts. We are ideally 14 positioned to continue impactful contributions to PLUS research initiatives in the next cycle, bringing deep 15 experience and expertise in behavioral science, conceptualizing and designing large cohort studies, and 16 engaging diverse community participants to inform prevention research. 17 Drawing on ecological systems theory and using the PLUS Consortium conceptual framework, we will conduct 18 transdisciplinary prevention research that investigates multiple levels of influence on individuals? bladder- 19 related behaviors and bladder health across the life course.
Our aims are to: (1) Actively contribute to the 20 conceptualization, design, and implementation of a longitudinal national, population-based observational cohort 21 study examining women?s bladder health across the life course; (2) Analyze data from the national cohort study 22 to identify individual, social, and environmental factors associated with toileting behavior (e.g., frequency, 23 position, avoidance), the onset and use of adaptive behaviors (e.g., modifying activities and fluids, use of 24 absorptive products, pelvic floor muscle training, health care or information seeking), and subsequent bladder 25 health status over time; and (3) Conduct a mixed methods pilot study to determine how home and school 26 environments influence adolescent women?s toileting beliefs, behaviors, and bladder health status and identify 27 opportunities for behavioral and environmental changes that can help plan future intervention studies. This 28 innovative approach will assess social ecological factors that promote bladder health and contribute to LUTS 29 initiation and progression. Findings will be used to inform preventative strategies that will ultimately help reduce 30 the burden of LUTS and promote bladder health in adolescent and adult women.
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) affect millions of women, with profound health, social, and economic implications. The goal of this research is to provide a deeper understanding of individual, social, and environmental risk and protective factors for LUTS development in women across the life course. Findings will be used to inform preventative strategies that will help reduce the burden of LUTS and promote bladder health in girls and women.
| Harlow, Bernard L; Bavendam, Tamara G; Palmer, Mary H et al. (2018) The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium: A Transdisciplinary Approach Toward Promoting Bladder Health and Preventing Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Women Across the Life Course. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 27:283-289 |
