Botulinum-A Toxin Injection for Detrusor Hyperreflexia in Spinal Cord Injury: A Non-Surgical Approach.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT The major aim of the present study is to use a double blind randomized clinical trial design to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of two different doses, 300 and 400 Units of Botulinum Toxin Type-A for the treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia (Neurogenic Bladder Overactivity). While also improving bladder capacity in spinal cord injured patients with refractory symptoms who have failed anticholinergic agents.

RESEARCH PLAN Inclusion Criteria: Male and female subjects 18-80 years of age with suprasacral SCI refractory NBOA incontinence, and/or impaired detrusor compliance associated with a small bladder capacity will be eligible. Subjects will be recruited on the basis of incontinence symptoms and adverse urodynamic parameters including impaired bladder compliance less than 50ml/cm, H20 and bladder (cystometric) capacity less than 300 ml.

Exclusion criteria: Allergy to Botulinum Toxin Type-A, pregnancy, breast-feeding women, active medical or psychiatric disorders, active urinary tract infection, coagulopathy, myasthenia gravis, upper urinary tract changes unrelated to lower tract dysfunction, and aminoglycoside use during the last three months. Furthermore, subjects with radiation cystitis (by history), vesico-ureteral reflux (by videofluoroscopy), bladder calculi (by cystoscopy) will be excluded.

Evaluation will include history and physical examination, urine analysis, urine culture and sensitivity, 24-hour voiding diary for 3 consecutive days, urine pregnancy test in female subjects of reproductive age, validated questionnaires, multichannel videourodynamics (UDS), post-void residual volume at the time of UDS, and renal ultrasound.

METHODOLOGY One week after the pre-intervention evaluation, endoscopic injection of Botulinum Toxin Type-A (300 Units or 400 Units) into the detrusor muscle will be performed. During the 24 month duration of the study, participants will take and record their regular bladder medications as Dr. Gousse (or one of his assistants) decide necessary to control their urinary symptoms. Subjects will be scheduled to return at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after the first injection session, and every 3 months thereafter. At the 2-week visit we will assess untoward effects. At the 6-week visit and every subsequent visit a focused physical examination will be carried out, along with validated questionnaires.

Participants with initial success, as defined by 50% improvement (voiding diary) in diminished leakage, improved cystometric capacity by greater than 100 ml, improved compliance by 15 ml/cm H20, 50% improvement in questionnaire scores, but who lose the initial therapeutic benefit will be considered candidates for re-injection every 6 months. Patients who continue to maintain therapeutic benefit pass 6 months after initial injection will not be re-injected and will be re-evaluated at every 3 months thereafter prior to possible re-injection. Pregnancy testing will be obtained prior to each injection session in appropriate female subjects in their reproductive years.

Depending on the type of variable being analyzed different statistical techniques will be used for these comparisons including paired sample t-tests, Wilcoxon's signed rank tests, McNemar's tests, and Cochran's Q tests. Cross-sectional as well as longitudinal analyses will be performed to compare 300 vs. 400 Unit groups with respect to each of the variables ascertained at each time point, and also with respect to changes over time for the major study end points.