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Urological situation five years after spinal cord injury
F Biering-Sørensen1, H M Nielans, T Dørflinger
1Centre for Spinal Cord Injured, Neuroscience Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. finbs@rh.dk
Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology
|August 19, 1999
Summary
Five years after spinal cord injury (SCI), bladder dysfunction is common, but urological complications are manageable. Conservative management of SCI patients leads to satisfactory outcomes for bladder emptying and urinary tract health.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently leads to neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
- Effective bladder management is crucial for preventing long-term urological complications in SCI patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess bladder emptying methods and the incidence of urinary tract problems five years post-traumatic spinal cord injury.
- To evaluate the long-term urological outcomes in individuals with spinal cord injury.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 165 patients with traumatic SCI.
- Analysis of neurological level, bladder emptying methods, and urological investigations at 5-year follow-up for 77 patients.
Main Results:
- 64% experienced suprasacral bladder dysfunction; 23% had infrasacral dysfunction.
- 12% developed urinary calculi; 81% had at least one urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Plasma-creatinine remained normal; a trend towards less intermittent catheterization and more abdominal pressure use was observed.
Conclusions:
- Urological complications in spinal cord injury patients are generally satisfactory after five years.
- Conservative management strategies appear effective in mitigating severe urological issues post-SCI.