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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Department of Urology

Infections and Chronic Pelvic Pain

The Department of Urology has a longstanding history in research and education of the diagnosis and management of chronic urologic pain disorders and infectious diseases including bacterial cystitis, interstitial cystitis, and prostatitis. Conditions we treat within this category include:

  • Bacterial cystitis
  • Chronic pelvic pain syndrome
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Lower urinary tract symptoms
  • Prostatitis
  • Urinary tract infections

 Research

Our research aims to develop new innovations to provide optimal, state-of-the-art assessment and care for patients with chronic urologic pain disorders and infections. Current studies focus on mechanisms of bladder inflammation and pelvic pain in men and women, including the  National Institutes of Health Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) which aims to better understand the underlying causes of the two most prominent chronic urological pain disorders–interstitial cystitis/ bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

Selected Publications

Rahman-Enyart A, Yang W, Yaggie RE, White BA, Welge M, Auvil L, Berry M, Bushell C, Rosen JM, Rudick CN, Schaeffer AJ, Klumpp DJ. Acyloxyacyl hydrolase is a host determinant of gut microbiome-mediated pelvic pain. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2021 Jul 28.

The Multidisciplinary Approach to The Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network*: Design and implementation of the Symptom Patterns Study (SPS). Clemens JQ, Kutch JJ, Mayer EA, Naliboff BD, Rodriguez LV, Klumpp DJ, Schaeffer AJ, Kreder KJ, Clauw DJ, Harte SE, Schrepf AD, Williams DA, Andriole GL, Lai HH, Buchwald D, Lucia MS, van Bokhoven A, Mackey S, Moldwin RM, Pontari MA, Stephens-Shields AJ, Mullins C, Landis JR. Neurourol Urodyn. 2020 Jun 23.

Acyloxyacyl hydrolase regulates voiding activity. Aguiniga LM, Searl TJ, Rahman-Enyart A, Yaggie RE, Yang W, Schaeffer AJ, Klumpp DJ. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2020 Apr 1;318(4):F1006-F1016.

Algorithms Using Previous Resistance, Prior Antimicrobial Prescriptions, and Patient Place of Residence Enhance Empirical Therapy for Women With Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections. Cohen JE, Chen L, Schaeffer AJ. Urology. 2020 Mar;137:72-78.

Stool-based biomarkers of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Braundmeier-Fleming A, Russell NT, Yang W, Nas MY, Yaggie RE, Berry M, Bachrach L, Flury SC, Marko DS, Bushell CB, Welge ME, White BA, Schaeffer AJ, Klumpp DJ. Scientific Reports, May 2016.

 

 Patient Care

The urologists at Northwestern offer comprehensive urologic care focusing primarily on the diagnosis and treatment of urologic disorders, including urinary tract infections. Patients are evaluated and managed with emphasis on an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. All of the team members are recognized leaders in their field of expertise, and all potential therapeutic options are considered and discussed with each patient, including observation (no active treatment), medications and behavioral modifications.

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