Unnoticed post-void residual urine volume in people with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities: prevalence and...

Increased post-void residual urine volume (PVR) is often seen in geriatric populations. People with intellectual disabilities (ID) have risk factors in common with these populations.

To investigate in adults with ID: Feasibility of portable ultrasound bladder scanning; Prevalence of PVR; and Relations with proposed risk factors for PVR.

In a cross-sectional design, PVR was measured using ultrasound scanning in 346 adults with moderate to severe ID aged 18-82 years. Relationship between increased PVR and the following risk factors was assessed: age, level of ID, gender, ambulancy, medication, chronic illnesses, incontinence and profound multiple disabilities (PMD). Acceptation of scanning and manageability were noted.

Feasibility: All participants were cooperatively undergoing the ultrasound scan and all outcomes were sufficiently interpretable. Prevalence: PVR >or= 150 mL was newly identified in 30/346 persons (8.7%, 95% confidence interval 5.92-12.14). Associations: Higher age (P = 0.001), laxative use (P = 0.001), chronic illnesses other than epilepsy (P = 0.005), profound ID (P = 0.008), incontinence (P = 0.048) and immobility(P = 0.005) are determinants that were associated with urinary retention.

The bladder ultrasound scan is a feasible method to identify increased PVR in adults with more severe levels of ID. The prevalence of PVR in adults is similar to prevalences found in the geriatric general population.