Urinary nerve growth factor could be a biomarker for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: To examine whether urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) could serve as a biomarker for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS), we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 9 studies. Among the studies considered, patients with IC/PBS had higher urinary NGF and NGF/Cr levels compared to those of healthy people (SMD?=?1.94, 95%CI?=?0.79-3.08, P?=?0.0009 and SMD?=?1.79, 95%CI?=?0.65-2.93, P?=?0.002, respectively). In addition, there was a significant difference between patients with IC/PBS and patients with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms with respect to the urinary NGF and NGF/Cr levels (SMD?=?-0.62, 95%CI?=?-1.00--0.24, P?=?0.001 and SMD?=?-0.70, 95%CI?=?-1.01--0.39, P<0.0001, respectively). Furthermore, patients had a significantly lower urinary NGF level after successful treatment (SMD?=?1.74, 95%CI?=?0.32-3.17, P?=?0.02). In conclusion, urinary NGF could be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of OAB, a urinary biomarker for the differential diagnosis of IC/PBS and OAB (when a critical urinary NGF or NGF/Cr level is needed), and a predictive biomarker to help guide treatment.

SUBMITTER: Qu HC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4152268 | biostudies-other | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other