A Novel Research Definition of Bladder Health in Women and Girls: Implications for Research and Public Health Promotion

Abstract

PLUS used a comprehensive transdisciplinary process to develop a bladder health definition. This will inform instrument development for evaluation of bladder health promotion and prevention of LUTS in research and public health initiatives.

Terminology for bladder health research in women and girls: Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms transdisciplinary consortium definitions

“…No “overall” definition for the subjective experience of LUTS existed (noted as “new”); therefore definitions were proposed as follows: BH (overall) : A complete state of physical, mental and social well‐being related to bladder function , and not merely the absence of LUTS. Healthy bladder function does not impact daily activities on a routine basis, is adaptable to short‐term physical or environmental stressors, and allows pursuit of optimal well‐being (eg, travel, exercise, social, occupational, or other activities) LUTS (overall) : The subjective indicator of bladder dysfunction or change in bladder function as perceived by the patient, caregiver, or partner, which may lead to seeking help from healthcare professionals ( PLUS modification ). Storage function Emptying function Bioregulatory function BH bioregulatory barrier function (overall) : The bladder barrier protects from pathogens, chemicals, and malignancy; is adaptable to short‐term physical or environmental stressors; and is able to completely recover from disruption of the barrier layer, without long‐term or persistent sequelae. LUTS bioregulatory barrier dysfunction (overall) : A disruption in the protective barrier of the bladder resulting in LUTS ( PLUS definition ).…”

“…BH (overall) : A complete state of physical, mental and social well‐being related to bladder function , and not merely the absence of LUTS. Healthy bladder function does not impact daily activities on a routine basis, is adaptable to short‐term physical or environmental stressors, and allows pursuit of optimal well‐being (eg, travel, exercise, social, occupational, or other activities) …”

“…The process by which the PLUS Consortium developed a research definition of BH has been previously reported . A subgroup of PLUS investigators that included research and clinical experts convened into a Terminology and Conceptual Framework & Models (TCFM) Intellectual Resource Group.…”

“…As no research definition for BH existed, the first step necessary for the consortium to achieve its goals was to establish a research definition of BH (see Lukacz et al for a description of this process). Consistent with the World Health Organization's definition of health, the PLUS Research Consortium conceptualizes BH as “a complete state of physical, mental and social well‐being related to bladder function, and not merely the absence of LUTS,” with function that “permits daily activities, adapts to short‐term physical or environmental stressors, and allows optimal well‐being (e.g., travel, exercise, social, occupational or other activities).” This study definition highlights individual function and subjective experiences associated with well‐being. Consistent with the tenets of prevention science, the PLUS Research Consortium is applying a life course developmental perspective to planned etiologic research .…”

Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium focus group Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences of Bladder health

“…The PLUS Consortium defines women's bladder health in terms of bladder function that ‘permits daily activities, adapts to short‐term physical or environmental stressors and allows optimal well‐being (e.g., travel, exercise, social, occupational, or other activities)’ and is ‘not merely the absence of LUTS (Lukacz et al, ).’ These characteristics are consistent with World Health Organization guidelines, which affirm that health is more than an absence of dysfunction or disease and includes physical, mental, and social well‐being (Preamble to the Constitution of the International Health Conference, ).…”