ClinicalTrials.Veeva

Menu

Optimizing Overactive Bladder Treatment (OPS)

University of North Carolina (UNC) logo

University of North Carolina (UNC)

Status

Completed

Conditions

Overactive Bladder

Treatments

Other: Lactobacillus Probiotic Capsule
Other: Matching Lactobacillus Probiotic Placebo Capsule

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT03904407
18-0030

Details and patient eligibility

About

Purpose: This is a pilot randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial of anticholinergic or beta-3 agonist medication with or without concomitant probiotic therapy in women initiating medication therapy for overactive bladder (OAB). The aims of this study are to:

  1. Explore how concomitant probiotic therapy influences response to medication for OAB in a randomized controlled trial
  2. Investigate whether 4 weeks of probiotic therapy alters the urinary microbiome
  3. Assess for predictors of response to therapy

Participants: Women 18 years of age or older presenting to the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery clinic with OAB/UUI or UUI-predominant mixed incontinence who desire nonsurgical therapy will be eligible for participation.

Procedures (methods): The study will be conducted over a two-year time frame and the primary outcome will be subjective improvement in symptoms as assessed by the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) validated questionnaire at 4 weeks after initiating anticholinergic or beta-3 agonist medication and study drug. The study aims to recruit up to 140 participants randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either concomitant probiotic or placebo medication.

Full description

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a highly prevalent condition that negatively impacts the lives of millions of adults in the United States. Anticholinergic and beta-3 agonist medications are commonly used to treat OAB but compliance is low due to variable efficacy and bothersome side effects. The existence of a urinary microbiome was recently discovered and early investigations have revealed that lower Lactobacillus load is correlated with the presence of OAB symptoms and a poorer response to anticholinergic therapy.

This proposed pilot study is a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (RCT) of concomitant probiotic therapy in women initiating medication therapy for OAB to explore how probiotics influence response to anticholinergic and beta-3 agonist medications, investigate whether probiotic therapy alters the urinary microbiome, and assess for predictors of response to therapy.

Primary Aim: To explore how concomitant probiotic therapy influences response to medication for OAB in a RCT

Secondary Aims:

  1. To investigate whether 4 weeks of probiotic therapy alters the urinary microbiome.
  2. To assess for predictors of response to therapy

Enrollment

29 patients

Sex

Female

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  • Women age ≥ 18 years
  • English-speaking
  • OAB/UUI or urge-predominant mixed incontinence per the Medical Epidemiologic and Social Aspects of Aging (MESA) questionnaire

Exclusion criteria

  • Neurogenic bladder or urinary retention (postvoid residual (PVR) >150 mL)
  • Probiotic use within the past 4 weeks
  • Inflammatory bowel disease or history of bariatric surgery
  • Pelvic organ prolapse past the hymen
  • Current symptomatic UTI or systemic antibiotic exposure within 4 weeks
  • Current treatment for recurrent UTI or history of recurrent UTI in the last 6 months
  • Immunosuppressive therapy (i.e., prednisone or chemotherapy)
  • Contraindication to anticholinergic or beta-3 agonist medication (including pregnancy)
  • Prior neuromodulation therapy for OAB
  • Inability or unwillingness to comply with study protocol

Trial design

Primary purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

Quadruple Blind

29 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Probiotic
Experimental group
Description:
Lactobacillus probiotic capsules in addition to a routine-care prescribed anticholinergic or beta-3 agonist medication for 4 weeks.
Treatment:
Other: Lactobacillus Probiotic Capsule
Placebo
Placebo Comparator group
Description:
Matching Lactobacillus probiotic placebo capsules in addition to a routine-care prescribed anticholinergic or beta-3 agonist medication for 4 weeks.
Treatment:
Other: Matching Lactobacillus Probiotic Placebo Capsule

Trial contacts and locations

2

Loading...

Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

Clinical trials

Find clinical trialsTrials by location
© Copyright 2026 Veeva Systems