Urge urinary incontinence (UUI) is a common health problem. Changes in collagen metabolism in pelvic support organs, such as uterosacral ligaments (USLs), might be responsible for the complex pathophysiology of UUI. The TGF-β pathway is involved in collagen synthesis and degradation. The Transforming Growth Family- β (TGF-β) superfamily has essential intracellular signaling components, such as newly identified SMAD family members. We evaluated the changes in the levels of TGF-β and SMAD gene and protein expression in the USL of patients with concomitant pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and UUI.

This study included 10 patients who had been diagnosed with POP and UUI in the study group and 14 asymptomatic women without complaints of POP and UUI in the control group. Biopsy samples were collected from bilateral USL tissues during vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy. Total RNA was extracted from USL tissue and analyzed by qPCR. The protein expression levels were also analyzed with ELISA.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients who had been diagnosed with POP and UUI
• asymptomatic women without complaints of POP and UUI

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women who have SUI,
• a history of gynecologic malignancy,
• endometriosis,
• connective tissue disorders,
• asthma,
• previous pelvic inflammatory disease,
• pelvic radiation anamnesis,
• smoking,
• previous surgery for POP or UI,
• those on steroid therapy and hormone replacement therapy

> 18 years

patients who had been diagnosed with POP and UUI and asymptomatic women without complaints of POP and UUI

If anyone demand the results of our study, we can share data with other researchers