Roger Dmochowski MD, MMHC, FACS
Current research projects include
Pain mechanisms in overactive bladder and functional bladder disorders.
This project examines how sensory and pain pathways, specifically central sensitization, impact on Overactive Bladder symptoms and treatment outcomes. The goal of this research is to identify a biomarker for sensory nerve dysfunction that can help distinguish individuals with OAB based on underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Selected Publications
- Women Undergoing Third Line Overactive Bladder Treatment Demonstrate Elevated Thermal Temporal Summation
- Temporal summation to thermal stimuli is elevated in women with overactive bladder syndrome
- Does central sensitization help explain idiopathic overactive bladder?
How restroom availability and toilet environments impact bladder health and benign urologic conditions.
This area of research investigates the relationships between toilet behaviors and habits, restroom environment restrictions and limitations, and bladder symptoms. The goal of this research is to better understand how external influences, such as access to restrooms, impact on individuals’ toileting experiences and bladder health.
Selected Publications
- Why Do Women Not Use the Bathroom? Women's Attitudes and Beliefs on Using Public Restrooms
- Toileting Behaviors of Women-What is Healthy?
- Toileting Behaviors and Bladder Symptoms in Women Who Limit Restroom Use at Work: A Cross-Sectional Study
- Women's Perceptions of Public Restrooms and the Relationships with Toileting Behaviors and Bladder Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study
Microbiologic interactions with host genitourinary system
This research focuses on urinary microbes, including E. Coli, and how they access and damage the urinary system, causing infection and symptoms. This is a collaborative effort with researchers in Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation.
Psychosocial impacts on interstitial cystitis and bladder pain syndrome.
This work examines how psychosocial factors in chronic pain influence ICBPS and how initiation of self-administered cognitive behavioral therapy can improve symptoms and functioning in patients.
Selected Publications
- Posttraumatic stress disorder in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: Relationship to patient phenotype and clinical practice implications
- Psychosocial co-morbidities in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain syndrome (IC/BPS): A systematic review
Spinal cord functional MRI signaling in functional bladder disorders.
This project explores the novel application of spinal cord functional MRI techniques to identifying disease pathways in neurogenic and non-neurogenic OAB. This project is a collaborative endeavor with researchers in the Vanderbilt University Institute for Imaging Science.
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Residency: University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX
Fellowship: Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, CA
Clinical Interests: Female Pelvic Medicine, Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery, Neurogenic Bladder, Pelvic Floor Reconstrucive Surgery, Urinary Incontinence
Dr Dmochowski is Associate Surgeon in Chief for Vanderbilt University Medical Center and has other leadership positions in the health system. He has a practice focus in female urology, urologic reconstruction and outcomes. He is an immediate past Trustee of the American Board of Urology and is immediate past Vice Chair of the urology Residency Review Committee through ACGME.
He is masters trained in conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation.
