Bladder Biome Project:
—-RECRUITMENT FOR THIS STUDY HAS NOW CLOSED—-
UTI affects around 440 million people globally every year, and studies show that 25-50% of patients will experience recurrence following antibiotic treatment.
This study aims to contribute to improving our understanding of recurrent UTI, with the ultimate goal of helping to change the ways in which recurrent UTI is diagnosed and treated.
In 2014, it was discovered that urine is not sterile, meaning that multiple living organisms reside in the bladder of most, if not all, people. However, the urinary microbiome is still poorly understood, particularly the way in which it is related to urinary symptoms experienced by people with recurrent UTI.
Help us improve our understanding of the urinary microbiome!
The purpose of the study is to better understand what organisms are present in the urinary microbiome in participants with recurrent urinary tract infection compared to participants who do not experience urinary symptoms.
The primary aim of the study is to collect information about the urinary microbiome, urinary symptoms and psychosocial factors to gain a better understanding of the relationships between these variables. Approximately 1015 subjects will take part in this research.
Watch our interview with Alan Wolfe to learn more about the study. Recruitment for this study has now closed, but the video shares interesting insights around possible outcomes from this research.
Who are we looking for?
US mainland based people with female anatomy who:
1. Experience recurrent UTI
2. DO NOT experience recurrent UTI
This study is designed to map the urinary microbiome, so we need both healthy and recurrent UTI participants!
This study will have three different groups of participants:
- Control group – healthy participants who do not experience recurrent or chronic UTI
- Cross-sectional – participants who do experience recurrent UTI
- Longitudinal group – participants who do experience recurrent or chronic UTI and are willing to participate for an extended timeframe
What does study participation require?
Participants can complete this entire study from their own home. See the three groups of participants we’ll be recruiting for above. Here is what participants in each group will be asked to do:
Control group – complete a short series of surveys, collect one urine sample and ship it to the researchers using the instructions and materials provided.
Cross-sectional group – complete a short series of surveys, and collect a urine sample on a day they are experiencing symptoms as well as a day they are not. Then ship each sample separately to the researchers using the materials and instructions provided.
Longitudinal group – complete a short series of surveys, and collect a urine sample every day for 40 days, while completing a survey on each of those days. The samples will need to be frozen and shipped back in two sets, using the instructions and materials provided.
For answers to frequently asked questions, click here.
To see if you might qualify for this study, we need to ask you some questions about your health history and present condition. Please be aware that answering yes to some of these questions does not necessarily exclude you from participation, but the information we collect is important for the study itself.
Recruitment for this study has now closed, but the video shares interesting insights around possible outcomes from this research.
Those who qualify will be sent further information about participation requirements by email, and will then have the opportunity to decide whether they would like to participate. Those who do not qualify at this time will be emailed regarding other ways they can help.
Completing the screening questionnaire does not represent a commitment to join the study and it is possible to withdraw interest at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was I excluded?
A: Our research partners have outlined some criteria that determine if an individual may participate in this particular study. If you were excluded after completing the screening questionnaire, a list describing these criteria would have been displayed on the screen or sent to you by email.
If a specific criterion listed does not apply to you, a combination of answers may have excluded you from this study. If you have additional questions, you can get in touch with the research team.
Even though you are unable to participate in the study, you can still help by referring others to participate. This research will benefit the entire community. The criteria for every study are different, so please don’t let this deter you from participating in other studies.
Q: I have another health condition, can I participate?
A: While certain conditions prevent participation in this study, participants with other health conditions may be eligible. We recommend completing the screening questionnaire to determine if you qualify. It’s very important for the success of the study that participant answers are accurate, so please provide any information you feel may be relevant.
Q: I’m located outside of mainland United States, can I participate?
A: Due to the logistics of shipping urine samples, this study is only available to US mainland based people.
Q: Will I have to purchase any supplies or shipping labels to join this study?
A: If eligible for this study, it will not cost you any money to take part in this research. All supplies needed will be shipped to you at no cost, and shipping costs for sending your sample to the laboratory at Loyola University Chicago will be covered.
Q: If I am excluded from the study, can I request that my information be deleted?
A: Using a screening questionnaire of this type is a standard protocol for research and it has been approved by an ethics board. Your personal information and contact details will not be shared with any third parties. If you do not qualify for this study, the information you provide will be stored until data collection for the study is finished and will then be deleted. Should you make a request prior to the study being finished, your data will be deleted.