The Iowa Voiding Improvement Partnership experience: Early observations with a collaborative pediatric uro-psychologic clinic

Abstract

Bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) are common problems in children presenting for pediatric urology referral. Psychiatric issues may be present in these children, making their treatment difficult. In 2013, the University of Iowa Voiding Improvement Partnership (VIP) Clinic was established for the treatment of these patients. This study sought to evaluate early experience with this specialized clinic, to determine the pre-existing urologic and psychologic conditions seen in these clinic patients, and to evaluate the clinical outcomes after VIP treatment. A retrospective, Institutional Review Board-approved review of all patients seen in the VIP Clinic was performed. The following were evaluated: patient demographics, underlying urologic and psychologic diagnosis, and treatment decisions. All patients were asked to complete the University of Iowa Pediatric Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction questionnaire at each visit. Questionnaire scores from the patients' first and most recent clinic visits were compared. To date, 66 patients have been evaluated at the VIP Clinic, accounting for 112 clinic visits. The mean age of the VIP patients was 8.5 years (range, 4-16) and 59% of the patients were female. Pre-existing urological conditions and psychological conditions are shown in the Summary Table. A large number (62%) of patients required further psychological evaluation, secondary to concern for an undiagnosed psychiatric issue. In addition, the clinic had improved patients' BBD symptoms over time. When first evaluated in clinic, patients had an average Iowa BBD Questionnaire score of 31 (range, 47-13), which improved to an average score of 25 (range, 47-7) (P=0.03). In addition, 23% of the patients improved to where they could be discharged from uro-psychologic care. It was feasible to establish the present multidisciplinary uro-psychology clinic. Such a clinic may unearth undiagnosed psychological issues, and improve bowel and bladder dysfunction in these difficult-to-treat patients.