[Urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract dysfunction prevalence in schoolchildren: risk factors]

Recently, many papers report an increase of pediatric lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD), which affects 10-15% of schoolchildren. Recent life style and dietary changes have been postulated as the cause of that high prevalence. There is a lack in epidemiological investigations about bowel and bladder dysfunctions and the risk factors. We aim to know the LUTD prevalence and the main risk factors. We carry out an observational and transversal investigation with a representative sample of our pediatric schoolchildren (N=1,069). We used a questionnaire about toilet training habits, social, familiar, and dietary data. We also used the PLUTSS (Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Score) questionnaire after validation of the Spanish version. The logistic regression analysis determined the main risk factors of DTUI. Results showed that boys get toilet trained later than girls (2.41 vs. 2.25) and the rate of incontinence is greater than girls when they start on the school. 31.9% of children remove their diapers to get into school. The prevalence was 15% for diurnal urinary incontinence and 12.2% nocturnal, DTUI 8.3%, constipation 20%, faecal incontinence 2.8%, ITUs 12.4%, retention habits 39.8%. 28.7% of children with DTUI refer psychological affectation. The main independent predictors were: male sex (OR 1.87), younger children (OR 0.78), forced toilet training (OR 2.14), constipation (OR 1.61) and holding habits (OR=3.87). This study showed a high prevalence of bladder in our pediatric population. Male gender, voiding postposition, early schooling or constipation were the main risk factors. The knowledge of the bladder and bowel dysfunction prevalence and the toilet training habits in our Community lets us to conclude school, family and primary care recommendations. This will let to prevent this so much prevalent disease.