Urinary Nerve Growth Factor Can Predict Therapeutic Efficacy in Children With Overactive Bladder

Abstract

To assess urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) in children with overactive bladder (OAB) and to investigate the relationship between urinary NGF/creatinine (Cr) levels and OAB. Thirty-five children (27 boys and 8 girls) with OAB and 11 children (6 boys and 5 girls) without OAB or any other urinary symptoms, who served as controls, were included in this study. Urinary NGF levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The total urinary NGF levels were adjusted with the concentration of urinary creatinine (NGF/Cr level). Refractory OAB was defined as little improvement in OAB symptoms despite at least 3 months of urotherapy and anticholinergic agent treatment. Urinary NGF/Cr was compared between the children with OAB and the controls. The relationship between urinary NGF/Cr and treatment outcomes was also evaluated. Urinary NGF/Cr was significantly higher in the children with OAB when compared with those in the control group (0.65 ± 0.82 vs 0.11 ± 0.09, P = .0007). Improvement of OAB symptoms was observed in 26 out of 35 children (74%). The remaining 9 children showed refractory OAB symptoms (the refractory group). Urinary NGF/Cr was significantly higher in the refractory group than in the improved group (1.28 ± 1.34 vs 0.44 ± 0.39, P = .027). Urinary NGF/Cr was significantly higher in the children with OAB than in the controls, and was significantly higher in the refractory group than in the improved group. Urinary NGF/Cr could not only be a potential biomarker for children with OAB, but also a predictor of therapeutic efficacy in children with OAB.