Current approaches to the urologic care of children with spina bifida

Urodynamic utilization in the adult spina bifida patient: An institutional review

PURPOSE

To characterize common clinical indications for urodynamic, a bladder function test, in adults with spina bifida.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed for 215 patients seen in an adult multidisciplinary spina bifida clinic who were registered with the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry from October 2011 to October 2018. Descriptive statistics were used for statistical comparisons.

RESULTS

A total of 52 of 215 patients developed a clinical indication for urodynamics. Of these, 71 (33%) patients (8 of whom underwent testing twice) had urodynamics performed, resulting in a total of 79 urodynamic study encounters that were analyzed. Thirty-four (43%) urodynamic testing cases were performed due to a symptomatic change in lower urinary tract function; 14 (18%) were due to declining renal function or concern for upper tract deterioration based on imaging. The data obtained from urodynamic investigation led to new recommendations for urinary tract management in 59 (75%) of the urodynamic studies performed. A total of 32 of the 90 (35%) recommendations made were surgical interventions and 30 (33%) were for a change in medical management. Interestingly, 8 of the 18 (44%) routine or baseline urodynamic tests performed led to new recommendations in urinary tract management.

CONCLUSION

A total of 24%of patients in the multidisciplinary spina bifida clinic developed an indication for urodynamic testing over a 7-year period which resulted in new recommendations for urinary tract management in most. As more patients with spina bifida enter adulthood, the indications for urodynamic evaluation may become more defined, since the results often lead to alterations in bladder management.

Scope of care in the first four years of life for individuals born with myelomeningocele: A single institution experience1

PURPOSE

Children with myelomeningocele are known to be consumers of substantial healthcare resources, with many early hospital encounters. The purpose of this study was to survey the extent of medical and surgical care that patients with myelomeningocele receive during the first four years of life.

METHODS

Clinical and demographic data were collected on newborn infants with open myelomeningocele from the Children's of Alabama Spina Bifida Web Tracker, a prospective, comprehensive spina bifida database. Additional data pertaining to all hospital admissions, surgical procedures, and clinic visits were collected from the medical record.

RESULTS

One hundred and fourteen subjects with a primary diagnosis of myelomeningocele between 2004 and 2015 were included. Males slightly predominated (55%), 61.4% were Caucasian, 11% Hispanic/Latino; 28% had a mid-lumbar functional lesion level. Over the first four years of life, 688 total surgical procedures were performed (an average of 86 per child): 438 in year 1, 100 in year 2, 84 in year 3, and 66 in year 4. The mean number of hospital visits was 40.5. Total average drive time per patient over 4 years being 103.8 hours. Average number of nights spent in the hospital was 51.

CONCLUSION

Children with myelomeningocele need multiple hospitalizations, surgeries, and medical encounters in the first 4 years of life. These data will be valuable when counselling new parents and prospective parents of children with this condition.

Outcomes of Intradetrusor OnabotulinumtoxinA Injection in Adults with Congenital Spinal Dysraphism in Tertiary Transitional Urology Clinic

Purpose

Published data regarding intradetrusor injection of onabotulinumtoxinA in adults with congenital spinal dysraphism are scarce. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the outcomes of intradetrusor injection of onabotulinumtoxinA in this setting.

Materials and Methods

Billing codes were used to identify 149 patients who underwent onabotulinumtoxinA injection between 2012-2016 at our tertiary transitional urology clinic. Charts were then reviewed to identify patients with congenital spinal dysraphism.

Results

A total of 18 patients with the mean age of 20.76 (±3.03) years at the time of 1st onabotulinumtoxinA injection were identified. All patients had urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence improved by injection of 200 or 300 U of onabotulinumtoxinA in 81.2% of patients and 63.6% of them became dry (p= 0.023). Mean glomerular filtration rate before and 13.3 (±9) months after treatment was 100.2 (±17.2) and 120.1 (±16.6) mL/min/1.73 m2 respectively (p= 0.41). Baseline hydronephrosis improved in 3 of 4 patients. Repeat urodynamic study after injection was done in 11 patients who did not clinically improve or who had loss of bladder compliance at baseline (29.3 Vs. 67.2 ml/cmH2O). Mean maximum cystometric capacity before and after injection was 310.1 and 380.2 mL (p= 0.045). Mean bladder compliance before and after treatment was 29.2 and 28.7 ml/cmH2O respectively (p= 0.48) in this high risk group.

Conclusions

Intradetrusor onabotulinumtoxinA injection may improve refractory urinary incontinence in selected adults with spinal dysraphism. However, despite improvement in maximum cystometric capacity, bladder compliance does not improve following therapy in patients who had loss of compliance at baseline.

Follow-up urodynamics in patients with neurogenic bladder

INTRODUCTION

Neurogenic bladder patients are at long-term risk of secondary upper urinary tract damage. Symptoms are unreliable and follow-up urodynamics is the only method of ascertaining safety of bladder pressures. This review examines the recommendations, shortcomings and utilization of existing guidelines. The evidence with regard to follow-up urodynamics in different settings relevant to neurogenic bladder is evaluated and an algorithm is proposed.

METHODS

A pubmed search was conducted for studies on follow-up urodynamics in patients with neurogenic bladder. Additional search was made of secondary sources including reviews and guidelines.

RESULTS

The need for follow-up urodynamics should be considered in all patients undergoing an initial assessment and weighed against the risks. Existing guidelines, while unanimous in their recommendation of its utilization, give scant details regarding its incorporation in clinical management. Follow-up urodynamics can document efficacy and identify the need for escalation of therapy in patients on intermittent catheterization and antimuscarinics. Patients with spinal injury, spinal dysraphism and anorectal malformations are at higher risk for upper tract damage. Follow-up urodynamics can help identify patients suitable for intravesical botulinum and mark those destined for failure. Patients undergoing augmentation cystoplasty may be candidates for less aggressive urodynamic follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurogenic bladder is managed by a broad cross-section of physicians. Clear recommendations and a management algorithm are important for improving patient care. Follow-up urodynamics can identify patients at risk, prevent renal dysfunction and improve the quality of life. There is an urgent need for more evidence on this important subject.

Screening for depression and anxiety in childhood neurogenic bladder dysfunction

INTRODUCTION

Patients with chronic illnesses are known to have anxiety disorders and are likely to be depressed. Anxiety and depression (A/D) has been studied in adults with spina bifida (SB), however, no study has directly screened for A/D in pediatric patients with neurogenic bladder (NB) and their caregivers.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of A/D in caregivers of all children with SB and other NB dysfunction and in adolescents with validated screening measures.

STUDY DESIGN & PATIENTS

This was a preliminary cross-sectional screening investigation for A/D in pediatric patients with NB and their caregivers and adolescents with NB. Pediatric patients were defined as ages birth to 19 years and adolescents as ages 10 years-19 years. A caregiver was self-defined as a primary parent/guardian who took care of the pediatric patient for a majority of their time on a daily basis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We contacted 75 families by mail, of which 15 returned the consent and completed the questionnaires. Subsequently, 25 consecutive families whose children were seen for routine office appointments by the pediatric urology service at the Albany Medical Center in New York participated in person. 22 adolescents completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). 47 caregivers completed both the HADS and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

RESULTS

Depression among adolescents: Of the 22 adolescents who completed the HADS, the median HADS score was 5.5 (Inter-quartile range (IQR): 1.75-8.75) for anxiety and 1.5 (IQR: 0-4.25) for depression; both scores were within the normal range (<8/21). Individual abnormal HADS scores (≥8/21) were seen in 6/22 (27%) for anxiety and 1/22 (5%) for depression. Anxiety and depression among caregivers: Of the 47 caregivers who completed the HADS and CES-D, the median HADS score was 7 (IQR: 4-11) for anxiety and 4 (IQR: 1-7) for depression; both scores were within the normal range. Individual abnormal HADS scores were seen in 23/47 (49%) for anxiety and 10/47 (21%) for depression. Abnormal CES-D scores (>15) were seen in 15/47 (32%). The median CES-D scores were 8 (IQR: 3-19).

DISCUSSION

In this preliminary screening study, we found considerable anxiety in adolescents with NB and both A/D in caregivers. When screening by two validated surveys, adolescents with NB had median scores for A/D that were normal; yet 27% of these patients exhibited scores for anxiety that outwit the normal range. For the caregivers, the median scores were also normal; yet 49% and 32% had scores for A/D, respectively, that were abnormal. SB among pediatric patients has been shown to result in alterations in daily functioning and to increase the dependency on adult care, factors that are associated with altered self-concept, psychological distress, including A/D. Our findings underscore such results from previous studies. In caregivers, we observed a higher prevalence of anxiety than adolescents; similar findings have been reported for caregivers of other chronic conditions. Surprisingly, in caregivers, a lower percentage of scores for depression was observed. Although we have no data on the cause of this finding this may be related to a caregiver's ability to adapt to the demands of the situation in chronic illness or perhaps, lower expectations. The cross-sectional nature of our study limited us to draw any causal relationships for anxiety or depression between neurogenic patients and their caregivers.

CONCLUSION

Despite our study limitations, the prevalence of anxiety in adolescents and in the caregivers is striking. Our data highlight that clinicians should screen for A/D more aggressively in pediatric patients with NB dysfunction and in their caregivers.

Urinary continence across the life course

Spina bifida is the most common defect of the central nervous system. It is a congenital malformation of the spine with abnormal neural tube closure occurring between the third and fourth weeks of gestation, and most frequently affecting the lumbar and sacral regions. Most children with spina bifida have a normal urinary tract at birth, although renal damage and renal failure are among the most severe complications of spina bifida. Before ventricular shunting, survival rates for children with spina bifida were low, but most patients can now be expected to live into adulthood, thus prevention of urologic complications and promotion of continence have become critical. This article reviews the literature regarding urinary continence, and discusses issues across the lifespan, and implications for clinical practice and the pediatrician's role in the urologic care of children with spina bifida.