| Neuro-Urology and Continence Unit |
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The Neuro-Urology and Continence Unit was established in March 2002 under the Innovative Grant from the National Continence Management Strategy.
It has developed a model of service to meet the needs of patients whose urological problems have a neurological basis, and initiatied a study investigating two accepted and different treatment regimens for significant bladder problems in patients with MS. The Unit has created a comprehensive database and is now fully operational.
Neuro-Urology and Continence Unit
4 North, Neurology Ward
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Grattan Street, Parkville 3050
Victoria Australia
Telephone 9342 8439
Facsimile 9342 8450
Email: kathy.myles@mh.org.au
Principal Investigator/Urologist Miss Helen O'Connell
Clinical Research Fellow Dr Caroline Dowling
Clinical Nurse Consultant/Unit Coordinator Ms Louise Kurczycki
Continence Nurse Ms Kerry Poole
Research Assistant Ms Kathy Myles
Clinical Trials/ Business Administrator Mr Baden Pascoe
The Unit works closely with the Continence Service at RMH Royal Park Campus, as well key external organisations, such as the MS Nerve Centre (formerly MS Society), rural and metropolitan Continence Services, a diverse range of health professionals and the broader community, to provide a valuable multidisciplinary and holistic service to many patients and also commence the initial phase of the research study after carrying out a pilot study.
The collaborative input of Neurologists and other professionals involved in the care of people with MS has been critical to the development of this Unit and its service.
Current Research Projects
- Randomised control trial Bladder Pressure Management (BPM) versus management based on symptoms and residual volumes in patients with established multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Long term study: Safety and efficacy of Duloxetine for Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).
- Double blind Randomised Control Trial - Duloxetine versus placebo for stress incontinence.
- Long term costs, efficacy and safety of management of urinary distress in patients with multiple sclerosis.
- Development of smooth muscle sphincteric stimulator - Collaborative project based at the University of Melbourne.
Current sub projects
- Evaluation of potential graft sources in women via cadaveric studies and evaluation of vaginal wall biopsies after prolapse repair.
- Canine studies to evaluate long term efficacy of stimulated neo-sphincter in male dogs.
- Phase one study to evaluate the costs, efficacy and safety of Botulinum (Botox) - A toxin intravesical thearpy in detrusor instability and detrusor hyper-reflexia.
- Development of Quality of Life Tool for Intermittent Self Catheterisation (ISC).
- External urethral sphincter inhibition to decrease pain in interstitial cystitis patients.
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