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Non-Invasive Ultrasound Urodynamics to Improve Medical Care for Men with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Rural Areas

Awarded in 2023
Collaborative Health Sciences Program
Updated Aug 21, 2024

At a Glance

This project, titled Non-Invasive Ultrasound Urodynamics to Improve Medical Care for Men with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in Rural Areas, aims to develop a method to evaluate LUTS using modalities that are currently available in every urology practice. LUTS include increased urinary frequency, urgency and diminished stream which can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life and lead to various medical complications such as urinary retention, infection and renal failure. Multichannel urodynamics (MCUD) has been used to make an accurate diagnosis and distinguish between prostate obstruction and bladder dysfunction. However, the limited availability of MCUD at large medical centers has resulted in men, especially those in rural areas, receiving empirical treatment without accurate diagnostic testing, leading to delays in effective treatment or undergoing unnecessary surgeries.

The Challenge

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are prevalent, affecting a significant portion of the population, particularly men, with symptoms including increased urinary frequency, urgency and diminished stream. These symptoms can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life and lead to various medical complications such as urinary retention, infection and renal failure. The incidence of LUTS increases with age, affecting 50 percent of men in their forties and 70 percent of men over sixty. Historically, these symptoms have been attributed to an enlarged prostate causing obstruction, but recent insights have revealed that aging, obesity and diabetes also contribute to impaired bladder function. Multichannel urodynamics (MCUD) has been used to make an accurate diagnosis and distinguish between prostate obstruction and bladder dysfunction. However, the limited availability of MCUD at large medical centers has resulted in men, especially those in rural areas, receiving empirical treatment without accurate diagnostic testing, leading to delays in effective treatment or undergoing unnecessary surgeries.

Project Goals

The goal of this project is to develop a method to obtain the same information provided by MCUD using two non-invasive modalities currently used in every urologic practice, ultrasound and uroflowmetry. Ultrasound is used to determine bladder volume, and uroflowmetry is used to measure urinary flow rate. This goal will be addressed through two aims:

  1. Develop an ultrasound-based urodynamics (US-UDS) method.
  2. Establish the accuracy of voiding metrics determined with US-UDS.

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