Health Care Economic Burden of Treatment and Rehabilitation for Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction: A Systematic Review.

Systematic Review of Urological Followup After Spinal Cord Injury

To identify different patterns of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction management among Chinese community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury and explore the factors associated with latent classes. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in communities throughout China Mainland. Participants were recruited through the China Association of Persons with Physical Disability and a total of 2582 participants was included in the analysis. The data were collected by a questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic factors, disease-related factors, and a list of 8 bladder management methods. Latent class analysis was used to identify different latent classes of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction management. Then the multinomial logistic regression was applied to analyze the relationship between neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction management patterns and socio-demographic and disease-related factors. Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction management pattern among community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury was divided into four latent classes: “urinal collecting apparatus dominated pattern” (40.3%), “bladder compression dominated pattern” (30.7%), “intermittent catheterization dominated pattern” (19.3%) and “urethral indwelling catheterization dominated pattern” (9.6%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis found that the employment status, residential region, nursing need, payment method for catheterization products, hand function, time since spinal cord injury, urinary incontinence and concerns about social interaction affected by urination problems were significantly associated with latent classes. Only 19.3% of people used the intermittent catheterization as their main neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction management method. More attention needs to be paid to the promotion of the standardization process of intermittent catheterization in community-dwelling individuals with spinal cord injury. The associated factors of the four classes can be used for tailored and targeted interventions to increase the use of intermittent catheterization.

Neurogenic bowel dysfunction and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction are often associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). In Brazil, studies and statistical data on these dysfunctions are scarce. To estimate the prevalence of neurogenic bowel dysfunction and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in Brazilians diagnosed with traumatic and nontraumatic SCI. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, a form was used to collect sociodemographic and clinical data from medical records. The Mann-Whitney statistical tests were used for 2 independent samples, Pearson's chi-square test for categorical variables, and the Kruskal-Wallis test for more than 2 independent samples for quantitative variables. A logistic regression model was used to understand the factors associated with neurogenic bowel dysfunction. The sample comprised 1056 participants from all regions of Brazil. Of this sample, 60.90% had traumatic SCI, and 69.03% were male. The prevalence of neurogenic bowel dysfunction in the sample was 88%, and the prevalence of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction was 90.6%. Participants with traumatic SCI are more affected by neurogenic bowel and lower urinary tract dysfunction than those with nontraumatic SCI. Most people with SCI have neurogenic lower urinary tract and bowel alterations, especially those with traumatic SCI. Further studies are needed, and bowel and bladder reeducation programs should be provided in rehabilitation centers.

In view of the limited information on neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) after spinal cord injury (SCI) in the literature, this study aimed to investigate the complication rate of NLUTD after SCI and to describe the clinical management of NLUTD in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan from which patients newly diagnosed with SCI during 2006-2008 were extracted. Records of diagnosis, prescriptions, and procedures for patients were retrieved to identify NLUTD cases. The utilization of medical treatments including pharmacotherapy and procedures such as intermittent and indwelling catheters was analyzed. A total of 941 eligible SCI patients were identified, with a mean age of 48.4 (±18.5), of which 575 (61.1 %) were male, and 500 (53.1 %) were with cervical SCI. By the end of 1-year follow-up, 165 (17.5 %) had developed NLUTD. The characteristics were mostly similar between the NLUTD and non-NLUTD groups except in age and length of stay (LOS) in hospitals, where patients with NLUTD were 7.5 years old and had 2.15-month-longer LOS. Over 80 % of NLUTD patients received urinary catheterization, with approximately half also receiving pharmacotherapy. This is the first study using nationwide datasets to evaluate the overall complication rate of NLUTD associated with SCI, which is shown to be lower than previously reported. While various treatment options are available, urinary catheterization is the most common treatment for NLUTD.

Adherence plays a crucial role in the long-term management of chronic conditions, including neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Poor adherence can lead to complications, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. This study aimed to evaluate the post-discharge bladder-emptying practices and adherence to follow-up in SCI individuals with NLUTD, identifying key factors influencing adherence to improve long-term care strategies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Southwest China from May 1 to September 30, 2023. Online questionnaires were employed to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, bladder emptying methods, active follow-up adherence and related barriers. Out of 412 fully completed questionnaires, as for bladder-emptying method, 70.15% of respondents opted for clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) as their primary or preferred mode. CIC usage was more prevalent among participants with thoracic and lumbar SCI, while those with cervical SCI demonstrated a higher reliance on indwelling catheterization (IDC) and cystostomy. A significant 63.55% did not engage in regular hospital follow-ups participants with thoracic SCI had the lowest adherence rate (49.79%), followed by lumbar (72.62%) and cervical (77.59%) groups. Preferences for medical consultation were highest for rehabilitation physicians at 65.68%, with neurourologists following at 33.83%. Key barriers to follow-up adherence were identified as the more severity of SCI, lack of disease knowledge, increasing age, and reliance on adult children for care. In contrast, positive predictors of follow-up adherence were ample financial support and previous medical consultation experiences. This study revealed insufficient follow-up adherence among SCI individuals with NLUTD, with CIC emerging as the preferred method for bladder emptying strategy. Age and injury level significantly influenced adherence. To improve long-term management of NLUTD, future initiatives should focus on enhancing health education accessibility, optimizing healthcare services, and providing comprehensive financial support to high-risk groups.

INTERMITTENT CATHETERIZATION WITH A PRELUBRICATED CATHETER IN SPINAL CORD INJURED PATIENTS: A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CROSSOVER STUDY

Taiwanese Continence Society clinical guidelines for diagnosis and management of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction

Urinary tract infection in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction

Clean intermittent catheterization determinants and caregiver adherence in pediatric patients with spinal dysraphism and spinal cord injury: A mixed methods study.

We examined bladder function following spinal cord injury (SCI) by repeated urodynamic investigation (UDI), including external urethral sphincter (EUS) electromyography (EMG) in awake restrained mice and correlated micturition parameters to gene expression and morphological changes in the bladder. A partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) model was used for comparison to elucidate both the common and specific features of obstructive and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). Thirty female C57Bl/6J mice in each group received an implanted bladder catheter with additional electrodes placed next to the EUS in the SCI group. UDI assessments were performed weekly for 7 weeks (pBOO group) or 8 weeks (SCI group), after which bladders were harvested for histological and transcriptome analysis. SCI mice developed detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) one week after injury with high-pressure oscillations and a significantly increased maximal bladder pressure Pmax and were unable to void spontaneously during the whole observation period. They showed an increased bladder-to-bodyweight ratio, bladder fibrosis, and transcriptome changes indicative of extracellular matrix remodeling and alterations of neuronal signaling and muscle contraction. In contrast, pBOO led to a significantly increased Pmax after one week, which normalized at later time points. Increased bladder-to-bodyweight ratio and pronounced gene expression changes involving immune and inflammatory pathways were observed 7 weeks after pBOO. Comparative transcriptome analysis of SCI and pBOO bladders revealed the activation of Wnt and TGF-beta signaling in both the neurogenic and obstructive LUTD and highlighted FGF2 as a major upregulated transcription factor during organ remodeling. We conclude that SCI-induced DSD in mice leads to profound changes in neuronal signaling and muscle contractility, leading to bladder fibrosis. In a similar time frame, significant bladder remodeling following pBOO allowed for functional compensation, preserving normal micturition parameters.

This study aimed to investigate common complications during the chronic phase of spinal cord injury (SCI) and to assess bladder management methods and their associated complications in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). A retrospective analysis was performed using clinical data from chronic-phase SCI patients across multiple centers in China. The study population included individuals diagnosed with SCI and admitted between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate differences in the distribution of complications, disease duration, bladder management methods, and urinary complications. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for urinary complications. A total of 849 SCI patients from 28 provinces in China were included, showing significant demographic and clinical differences between traumatic SCI (TSCI) and non-traumatic SCI (NTSCI). Urinary tract infection (59.95%) and bowel-related complications, such as constipation (62.17%), were the most frequently reported complications. Additionally, the incidences of osteoporosis (38.50%), neuropathic pain (29.99%), bowel incontinence (12.06%), and hydronephrosis (11.91%) were also high. NLUTD was present in 90.58% of SCI patients. Among these, intermittent catheterization was associated with significantly lower rates of urological complications compared to indwelling catheterization (p = 0.025). Multivariate analysis identified bladder management method as a significant risk factor for urinary complications, with indwelling catheterization associated with a higher risk of urinary stones (p < 0.001) compared to intermittent catheterization. The high prevalence of bowel- and urological-related complications among Chinese SCI patients highlights the need for increased societal attention. In terms of bladder management, intermittent catheterization may provide greater benefits compared to indwelling catheterization. Further research and education are necessary to promote intermittent catheterization as a standardized bladder management approach for SCI patients.

Objectives: To describe bladder-emptying methods used by people with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) and to determine usage differences in relation to time since injury, sex, lesion level and completeness of lesion. Furthermore, to evaluate the relationship between bladder-emptying methods and the impact of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) on quality of life (QoL).Design: Cross-sectional multicenter study.Setting: Dutch community.Participants: Persons dependent on wheelchairs (N = 282) with traumatic or non-traumatic SCI for ≥10 years and age at injury of 18–35 years.Interventions: Not applicable.Outcome measures: The International Lower Urinary Tract Function Basic SCI Data Set and the Short-Form Qualiveen (SF-Qualiveen).Results: Median time since injury was 22.0 years (IQR: 16.8–30.3). Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) was most commonly used (42.6%). Longer time since injury was associated with fewer continent urinary diversions and more transurethral catheter use. Transurethral catheter use and continent urinary diversions were more prevalent among women. Participants with tetraplegia were more likely to use reflex voiding or a suprapubic catheter, and participants with paraplegia were more likely to use CIC. Transurethral catheter users reported the highest impact of NLUTD on quality of life (SF-Qualiveen score: 1.9; SD = 0.8). Participants with a continent urinary diversion reported the lowest impact (SF-Qualiveen score: 0.9; SD = 0.6). Higher age and indwelling catheter use versus CIC were associated with a higher impact of NLUTD on QoL.Conclusions: CIC is the most common bladder-emptying method in Dutch people with long-term SCI. Clinicians should be aware of the impact of NLUTD on QoL, especially for those using an indwelling catheter.

Nearly all patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) suffer from neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). Untreated NLUTD is arisk factor for renal damage and can significantly affect quality of life (QoL). Patients with SCI frequently use complementary medicine to alleviate symptoms, namely for urologic problems. We evaluated whether homeopathic treatment influences objective urodynamic parameters. In aretrospective study, urodynamic data of patients with NLUTD due to SCI who received constitutional homeopathic treatment by the consultants of our hospital were evaluated before initiation of homeopathic treatment and at the most recent follow-up. Modifications in urologic treatment were taken into account. Urodynamic results from 35patients who underwent homeopathic treatment (14women, 21men, median age 46years, tetraplegia: n = 14; paraplegia: n = 21) were available at both time points and could therefore be evaluated. In all, 20patients used intermittent catheterization, 6persons had an indwelling catheter, and 9persons emptied their bladders without acatheter. There were no significant differences in the urodynamic parameters before and during treatment. Changes in urologic therapy correlated with significant improvement in urodynamic findings. As all patients were under urologic surveillance, and immediate urologic treatment was established if necessary, aretrospective study design proved not to be suitable to detect possible influences of homeopathic treatment on urodynamic parameters in patients with SCI. Thus, aprospective randomized study is essential.

Distinguishing Features of the Urinary Bacterial Microbiome in Patients with Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction.

Objective To determine any relationship among detrusor wall thickness (DWT),bladder capacity (BC) and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD),and to study the clinical implications of using DWT to predict the risk of renal injury after spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods Forty-eight adults with NLUTD due to SCI were recruited for the SCI group,and another 41 healthy adults formed a control group.Both groups underwent urodynamic evaluation and maximum bladder capacity (MBC) detection.The DWT of all subjects was measured by ultrasound imaging of the anterior bladder wall.Thereafter,the SCI group was divided into low and high risk subgroups based on the results of the urodynamic tests.Patients with detrusor leak point pressure ＜40 cmH2O were classified as low risk.Results At MBC,the average DWT in the SCI group was (0.97 ± 0.31)mm and (0.59 ± 0.08)mm in the control group,demonstrating a significant difference in DWT between patients with NLUTD and normal adults.The average DWT among the patients with type A detrusor sphincter dyssynergia was (1.10 ± 0.34)mm,which was significantly higher than among the patients with external urethral sphincter contraction without detrusor contraction (type C).DWT was significantly correlated with detrusor leak point pressure.A DWT of 0.87 mm (sensitivity 89.5％,specificity 58.6％) could be used as a critical point for predicting risk of renal injury in patients with NLUTD.Conclusions DWT is significantly greater among SCI patients with NLUTD and it correlates positively with detrusor leak point pressure.DWT could be used as a risk predictor for renal injury in patients with NLUTD due to SCI. Key words: Detrusor wall thickness; Spinal cord injury; Urinary tract dysfunction; Urology