CUA and Pfizer Canada Award Clinical Fellowships in Incontinence

KIRKLAND, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - Jan. 8, 2014) - Two Canadian researchers have been awarded the first-ever Canadian Urological Association and Pfizer Canada Clinical Fellowship in Incontinence. With this funding, Alberta's Dr. Daniel Yanko and Ontario's Dr. Rahul Bansal will conduct new projects to improve support, education and treatment for Canadian patients with incontinence.

Paediatric Pilot Program

McMaster University and University of Toronto researcher Rahul Bansal has been awarded one of two grants under the program, for a project that is focused on studying the impacts of providing more comprehensive, supportive treatment options for pediatric urology patients. In particular, Dr. Bansal's research will look at the treatment outcomes on condition, emotional health and quality of life for a group of children diagnosed with nonneurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. The study will evaluate outcomes for children who participate in a one-hour group interactive session, involving video teaching that will be shared with families - compared to children who receive standard individual urotherapy.

"While the need is growing, there is very little research involving the special needs of children who suffer from urological and incontinence symptoms," explains Dr. Bansal. "To ensure successful treatment, our hypothesis is that children may need a more engaging, teaching-oriented approach and that doesn't always fit within the traditional urology clinic appointment."

Overactive Bladder Registry Study

Dr. Daniel Yanko of Vesia [The Alberta Bladder Centre at the University of Calgary] earned a grant for its innovative pilot study to develop an anonymous, encrypted Registry of Overactive Bladder patients. The voluntary registry will track patient outcomes from a physical and quality of life perspective in the hopes that sharing the information will help advance treatment and care.

"Overactive bladder is more common as people age, and untreated, it can have a negative impact on quality of life - and even, in some cases, cause depression," explains Dr. Yanko. "At Vesia, we have a multi-disciplinary treatment model that combines urology, family medicine, nursing and physiotherapy all in one setting, so we hope that tracking richer data about our patient's experiences and quality of life, will help other researchers and physicians."

About the CUA/Pfizer Canada Clinical Fellowship in Incontinence

The Canadian Urological Association (CUA) and Pfizer Canada's fellowship program was created to provide support and funding for Canadian urological researchers. The fellowship is focused on advancing urological research and improving care for patients with incontinence. The partnership awards $120,000 per year in the form of two grants.

"The burden of urological disorders in Canada is growing. With these two awarded projects, the CUA and Pfizer are taking another step to ensure that Canadian urologists will continue to lead in terms of scientific discoveries and innovation in urology and specifically, the field of incontinence," says Dr. Ricardo Rendon, Chair of the Scientific Council of the Canadian Urological Association Scholarship Foundation (CUASF).

"Pfizer understands that experiences and challenges with incontinence differ from patient to patient," says Dr. Bernard Prigent, Vice-President of Medical Affairs, Pfizer Canada Inc. "Programs such as these will help improve the care and quality of life for people living with this condition. We are proud to support continued research and investment in this therapeutic area."

A second year with two new fellowships will take place in 2014-2015 (total $120,000). For more information on how to apply for 2014 grants, eligible research proposals, review criteria, notification dates and submission process please visit http://www.cua.org/training_and_scholarships_e.asp.

About Canadian Urological Association

The Canadian Urological Association represents and provides a voice for all Canadian urologists and fosters dedications of all members of the profession toward ensuring the highest possible standard of urologic care of Canadians. www.cua.org

About Pfizer Canada

Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies. Our diversified health care portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most prescribed medicines and vaccines. Historically, Pfizer Inc. has invested more than US$7 billion toward developing safe and effective medicines. Pfizer Canada is a major contributor to Canadian R&D, with investments totalling $89 million in 2012. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit pfizer.ca or you can follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/PfizerCA) or Facebook (facebook.com/Pfizer.Canada).