Applying concepts of life course theory and life course epidemiology to the study of bladder health and lower urinary tract symptoms among girls and women

Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS)

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14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims: Although lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) may occur at different periods during the life course of women, a little research on LUTS has adopted a life course perspective. The purpose of this conceptual paper is to demonstrate how life course theory and life course epidemiology can be applied to study bladder health and LUTS trajectories. We highlight conceptual work from the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium to enhance the understanding of life course concepts. Methods: Consortium members worked in transdisciplinary teams to generate examples of how life course concepts may be applied to research on bladder health and LUTS in eight prioritized areas: (a) biopsychosocial ecology of stress and brain health; (b) toileting environment, access, habits, and techniques; (c) pregnancy and childbirth; (d) physical health and medical conditions; (e) musculoskeletal health; (f) lifestyle behaviors; (g) infections and microbiome; and (h) hormonal status across the life span. Results: Life course concepts guided consortium members’ conceptualization of how potential risk and protective factors may influence women's health. For example, intrapartum interventions across multiple pregnancies may influence trajectories of bladder health and LUTS, illustrating the principle of life span development. Consortium members also identified and summarized methodologic and practical considerations in designing life course research. Conclusions: This paper may assist researchers from a variety of disciplines to design and implement research identifying key risk and protective factors for LUTS and bladder health across the life course of women. Results from life course research may inform health promotion programs, policies, and practices.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1185-1202
Number of pages18
JournalNeurourology and Urodynamics
Volume39
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2020

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through cooperative agreements from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (Grants U01DK106786, U01DK106853, U01DK106858, U01DK106898, U01DK106893, U01DK106827, U01DK106908, and U01DK106892). Additional support is provided by the National Institute on Aging, NIH Office of Research on Women's Health, and NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords

  • bladder health
  • epidemiology
  • girls
  • life course
  • lower urinary tract symptoms
  • prevention
  • theory
  • transdisciplinary
  • women

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