CompletedNot Applicable

Microbiomes of Pelvic Pain

United States91 participantsStarted 2012-06

Plain-language summary

This research study seeks to provide more insight as to how the microbiome affects or is affected by conditions causing chronic pelvic pain such as Interstitial Cystitis (IC), Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS), Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS), or Overactive bladder (OAB). Depression and many chronic pain disorders are often related and are poorly understood, and treatment is often not helpful. The goal of this study is to explain pelvic pain characteristics and causes by studying microbiomes of healthy people compared to people suffering from IC, CP/CPPS, LUTS, OAB, and Major depression.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Any sex * Between the ages of 18 and 60 * Any ethnicity * Have provided informed consent * Physician diagnosis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS), chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Overactive Bladder, or Major Depression. * Report symptoms of discomfort or pain in the pelvic or abdominal region of moderate severity for at least a three (3) month period within the last six (6) months, who have been currently diagnosed with major depression * Are healthy, age matched, controls. Exclusion Criteria: For IC/CPPS/LUTS/OAB * Evidence of facultative Gram negative or enterococcus with a value of ≥ 100,000 colony forming units (CFU)/milliliter in mid-stream urine (VB2) * Secondary chronic pain condition which would prevent a clear interpretation of the study results * A history of tuberculous cystitis, bladder cancer, carcinoma in situ, or urethral cancer; history of alcohol abuse, inflammatory bowel disease, pelvic radiation or systemic chemotherapy, intravesical chemotherapy, intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), active urethral stricture, ureteral calculi, urethral diverticulum, or neurological disease or disorder affecting the bladder or gut * Unlikely to be compliant due to unmanaged medical or psychological conditions, including neurological, psychological or speech/language problems that will interfere or prevent w…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Genotype Anaerobic Bacterial populations between Control patients and patients diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis or Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Overactive Bladder, and Major Depression

Timeframe: 1 day

Separate serum from blood specimen given by Control patients and patients diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis or Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Overactive Bladder, and Major Depression

Timeframe: 3 days

Collect urine specimen from Control patients and patients diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis or Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Overactive Bladder, and Major Depression

Timeframe: 3 days

Trial details

NCT IDNCT01738464

SponsorNorthwestern University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2023-07-07

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Interstitial Cystitis trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Timeframe: 1 day

Timeframe: 3 days