Longitudinal Improvement of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Williams-Beuren Syndrome

Williams-Beuren syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by a deletion at region 7q11.23. Lower urinary tract symptoms are highly prevalent and significantly affect quality of life. We assessed the long-term outcomes of lower urinary tract symptoms in children with Williams-Beuren syndrome.

From February 2001 to July 2016, 90 patients with Williams-Beuren syndrome were evaluated in our hospital, of whom 31 (20 boys) had at least 5 years of followup. Baseline evaluation included a history of lower urinary tract symptoms, frequency-volume chart and the impact on quality of life measured on a scale of 0 (delighted) to 6 (terrible). Pharmacological therapy with oxybutynin or doxazosin was offered to symptomatic patients. We present the outcome of lower urinary tract symptoms after 5 and 10 years of followup.

At baseline 27 (87.1%) patients were symptomatic. Median duration of followup was 10 (range 6-13) years. Pharmacological therapy was started for 25 (92.6%) symptomatic patients at baseline, including oxybutynin for 19 (76.0%), doxazosin for 1 (4.0%) and a combination of the 2 agents for 5 (20.0%). Medical therapy was still in use by 61.2% after 5 years and 52.9% after 10 years (p=0.043). Median duration of pharmacological treatment was 7 (range 6-11) years. A significant improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms was observed over time, with 35.5% and 29.5% patients considered symptomatic after 5 years and 10 years, respectively (p <0.001). Quality of life was also markedly improved over time (p <0.001).

This long-term study showed significant improvement of lower urinary tract symptoms in children and adolescents with Williams-Beuren syndrome over time. Long-term pharmacological treatment was needed in most patients.