The Factors Affecting the Outcome after Medical Management of Vesicoureteral Reflux / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

Purpose: We analyzed the outcome of medical management for children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and we determined the factors affecting the outcome. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 37 patients (56 kidneys) who were diagnosed with VUR between 1995 and 2004. All the patients were maintained on prophylactic antibiotics and had regular follow up. The subjects were stratified according to the grade of reflux at the time of diagnosis into the low grade group (grade III or below) or the high grade group (grade IV or above), based upon the International Classification System. The effects of the reflux grade, the presence or absence of renal scar, the age at diagnosis, laterality of disease and gender on the improvement/resolution rate of VUR were analyzed. Results: The mean duration until resolution was 35 months. Improvement occurred in 48 kidneys, including resolution in 27 kidneys. The resolution rate was higher in the kidneys with low grade reflux than that in the kidneys with high grade reflux. The resolution rate was higher in kidneys without scar than that in the kidneys with scar. A significantly higher improvement rate was observed for the children diagnosed before 1 year of age than that for the children diagnosed after 1 year of age. Conclusions: The most significant factor determining the outcome of medical management for children with VUR is the reflux grade at diagnosis. Medical management is appropriate in the management of low grade VUR. It may also be a viable treatment option for high grade VUR in selected cases.