Urine Epidermal Growth Factor/Creatinine Ratio in Female Patients with Overactive Bladder and Recurrent Lower Urinary...

The purpose of this study was to determine if urine epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels can be used to distinguish between overactive bladder (OAB) and recurrent lower urinary tract infection (UTI).

This was a prospective study conducted at a single tertiary medical center, using medical records and biospecimens collected from premenopausal women with OAB, recurrent lower UTI, and healthy controls without urinary tract conditions. Patients with OAB were treated with either mirabegron (Betmiga®) or solifenacin succinate (Vesicare®) for 3 months. Urinary EGF and creatinine levels were measured at baseline and posttreatment. Symptom changes were assessed using voiding diaries and the OAB Symptom Score (OABSS) questionnaire.

A total of 61 women were included in the study: 21 with OAB, 20 with recurrent lower UTI, and 20 healthy control women. There was no significant difference in the urine EGF/creatinine ratio between the OAB, recurrent lower UTI, and control groups (3212.7 [2592.2, 3909.6] and 3362.3 [2374.7, 4632.3] vs. 3402.3 [2700.1, 4568.9], P = 0.895). Both medications were effective in relieving symptoms of OAB, but solifenacin was associated with a significantly higher rate of dry mouth (60% vs. 0%, P = 0.045).

No significant difference in urine EGF/creatinine ratio was observed between control subjects and patients with OAB or recurrent lower UTI. Thus, urine EGF is not likely a useful marker for distinguishing between OAB and recurrent lower UTI.