Introduction: Intrinsic sphincter deficiency is common in patients with spina bifida have a different pathophysiology and impact than in other neurogenic and non neurogenic populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between five urinary biomarkers (NGF, BDNF, TIMP-2, TGF-B1 and PGE2) and intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) in adults with spina bifida. Methods: A single center prospective study was conducted between March 2015 and March 2017 including all consecutive adult spina bifida patients who were seen for urodynamic testing. Urinary tract imaging was also performed in all patients. At the end of the inclusion period, urines were defrosted and urinary NGF, BDNF, TIMP-2, TGF-B1 were assessed using validated ELISA kits. The urinary markers levels were adjusted on the urinary creatinine level. Urinary MMP-2 levels were assessed by zymography. Associations between urinary markers levels and clinical (stress urinary incontinence (SUI)) and/or urodynamic (lowered maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP)) of intrinsic sphincter deficiency were sought. Results: Forty patients were included. Of these, 17 had SUI (42.5%). The mean MUCP was 56.7 cmH2O. Urinary TIMP-2/Cr and urinary BDNF/Cr were the only two markers significantly associated with MUCP (r=-0.37; p=0.02 in both cases, Figure 1). TIMP-2/Cr was significantly higher in the SUI group (p=0.003; ), as was BDNF/Cr (p=0.02). Urinary NGF/Cr, TGF-B1/Cr and MMP2 did not differ significantly between SUI and non-SUI groups. Conclusions: Urinary TIMP-2 and BDNF may be associated with intrinsic sphincter deficiency in adults with spina bifida. These results suggest a possible pathophysiological role of extracellular matrix remodeling and both a fibrosis and a neurogenic component in the intrinsic sphincter deficiency of adults with spina bifida. SOURCE OF Funding: none
