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

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...

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Published in:Neurourology and urodynamics 2020-04, Vol.39 (4), p.1185-1202
Main Authors: Brady, Sonya S., Berry, Amanda, Camenga, Deepa R., Fitzgerald, Colleen M., Gahagan, Sheila, Hardacker, Cecilia T., Harlow, Bernard L., Hebert‐Beirne, Jeni, LaCoursiere, D. Yvette, Lewis, Jessica B., Low, Lisa K., Lowder, Jerry L., Markland, Alayne D., McGwin, Gerald, Newman, Diane K., Palmer, Mary H., Shoham, David A., Smith, Ariana L., Stapleton, Ann, Williams, Beverly R., Sutcliffe, Siobhan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Bladder
bladder health
Delivery, Obstetric
Epidemiology
Female
girls
Habits
Health Promotion
Humans
life course
Life span
Life Style
lower urinary tract symptoms
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms - epidemiology
Male
Microbiomes
Pregnancy
prevention
Self Care
theory
transdisciplinary
Urinary Bladder - physiopathology
Urinary tract
Urogenital system
women
Women's Health
Womens health
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0733-2467
1520-6777
1520-6777
DOI:10.1002/nau.24325