[Course of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury under homeopathic treatment]

Nearly all patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) suffer from neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD). Untreated NLUTD is a risk 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 a retrospective 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 35 patients who underwent homeopathic treatment (14 women, 21 men, median age 46 years, tetraplegia: n = 14; paraplegia: n = 21) were available at both time points and could therefore be evaluated. In all, 20 patients used intermittent catheterization, 6 persons had an indwelling catheter, and 9 persons emptied their bladders without a catheter. 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, a retrospective study design proved not to be suitable to detect possible influences of homeopathic treatment on urodynamic parameters in patients with SCI. Thus, a prospective randomized study is essential.