SWHR hosts briefing on urinary incontinence, overactive bladder

The Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR) hosted the Capitol Hill briefing, The Bladder Matters: What Women Need to Know on Thursday, July 15, which highlighted startling statistics and an insightful patient perspective. Featuring noted researchers, physicians, Hill staff, and a UI-afflicted patient, the aim of this widely attended briefing was to detail current research on urinary incontinence (UI) and present future outlooks.

Urological expert Janice Lee Arnold, M.D., a board-certified urologist with over 20 years of practice in the DC area, outlined the struggles that patients with UI and overactive bladder (OAB) face. OAB is defined as the urgency to urinate eight or more times per day and two or more times each night (nocturia) and is overwhelmingly found in women. Patients with OAB deal with many anxieties that worsen their symptoms: potential for embarrassment, limited travel options, distant or lost relationships, etc.

"Women suffering from OAB should seek treatment immediately because of the impact on overall quality of life, high risk for depression, and poorer quality of sleep," said Dr. Arnold.

Robert Star, M.D., Director, Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) shared new research on OAB and potential treatments. These novel treatment options include a newly funded urinary leakage detection system, a continuous drug delivery device to minimize the potential for accidents, and a Trojan Horse Drug Delivery system for bladder issues without the risk of systemic toxicity.

"Research into women's OAB issues is a largely ignored topic and one that affects many women worldwide," said Phyllis Greenberger, M.S.W., President and CEO of SWHR. "And this is why SWHR fiercely supports increased funding for innovative research into the pervasive diseases UI and OAB."

Closing the panel with her poignant patient perspective, Ellen Exelbert shared her harrowing tale of OAB and how it disrupts her life on a daily basis. The victim of a defective cruise control mechanism, Exelbert suffered major trauma to her inner organs and spinal cord, resulting in bladder problems when her vehicle sped out of control and crashed. Since the accident, Exelbert has suffered through numerous surgeries, humiliating social interactions, and the indignity of having little to no control over her bladder.

"The disability of incontinence is more debilitating than my other major injuries," said Exelbert. "Incontinence leads to a loss of freedom, spontaneity, travelling, activities, and trust in my own body that is heartbreaking."

With new innovative approaches to OAB treatment, patients like Exelbert may one day find a course of treatment that is right for them. Until that time, more funding and research needs to be dedicated to eradicating this disease.