"Bladder dysfunction affects a staggering number of people worldwide," said Michael Chancellor, M.D., professor of urology and gynecology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "Our continued success with this treatment over the past six years confirms that this is a safe and effective solution for patients experiencing many types of bladder dysfunction."
Since 1998, Dr. Chancellor has treated 110 patients, the most in North America, with botox for a variety of bladder dysfunctions, including neurogenic detrusor hyperflexia and/or detrusor sphincter dyssnerigia, overactive bladder, benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), bladder neck obstruction and interstitial cystitis. Each experienced involuntary contractions of the bladder or sphincter muscle spasticity, which caused incontinence typified by either uncontrolled voiding of urine or the inability to completely empty the bladder.
Of the patients treated, 74 or 67.2 percent, reported a decrease or absence of incontinence after the injections. The decrease was seen within seven days of the injection and symptoms were alleviated for approximately six months. Patients who received additional injections experienced an improvement in symptoms for a longer period of time, some for over one year. Many patients also reported an improved quality of life. None of the patients experienced long-term complications from the treatment such as stress incontinence or urinary retention.
Botox acts by binding to the nerve endings of muscles, blocking the release of the chemical th
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Contact: Jocelyn Uhl
UhlJH@upmc.edu
412-647-3555
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
9-May-2004