The use of the neurologic exam to predict awareness and control of lower urinary tract function post SCI.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether T11-L2 sensation is significantly associated with perception of bladder filling and whether S3-S5 sensation is significantly associated with potential for voluntary voiding after spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: Alabama, United States. METHODS: A total of 79 men and women with SCI, and 40 able-bodied (AB) subjects, ages 19-60, seen in an outpatient academic medical center clinic, underwent International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI (ISNCSCI) assessment along with urodynamic testing to assess lower urinary tract (LUT) function. X2 test was performed to compare: (1) bladder sensation across T11-L2 groups classified by total sensory scores and (2) ability to voluntarily void across S3-S5 scores. RESULTS: Persons with greater ability to perceive pinprick and light touch sensation in the T11-L2 dermatomes were more likely to perceive bladder filling both via self-report and by urodynamics. However, persons with greater sensation at T6-T9 and S3-5 also had a greater likelihood of perceiving bladder filling. Subjects with greater preservation of sensation in S3-5 reported greater ability to initiate and control voiding. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest ISNCSCI results along with self-report can be used to predict potential for bladder control. SPONSORSHIP: National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

[The application of the preformed physical factors for the combined treatment of the patients presenting with chronic vesiculitis]. / Preformirovannye fizicheskie faktory v kompleksnoi terapii patsientov s khronicheskim vezikulitom.

UNLABELLED: The problem of the development of the new efficient methods for the treatment of the patients presenting with chronic bacterial vesiculitis (CBV) is currently considered among the important priorities. AIM: The objective of the present study was to provide a scientifically sound substantiation for the application of sinusoidal modulated currents (SMC), magnetic fields, and laser radiation in the combined treatment of the patients with CBV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 121 patients presenting with chronic bacterial vesiculitis were examined and treated during the latent phase of the inflammatory process. They were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (main) was comprised of 40 patients treated, in addition to basal pharmacotherapy, by supravascular contact laser irradiation of the cubital vein area followed after 2-3 hours by the application of sinusoidal modulated currents to the pubosacral region. Group 2 included 41patents given, besides basal pharmacotherapy, laser therapy in the same regimen as in group 1 supplemented after 2-3 hours by abdominal magnetic therapy. Group 3 (control) received traditional pharmacotherapy in the combination with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medicines. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the patients of group 2 exhibited the most pronounced positive dynamics of the clinical signs and symptoms estimated from the total National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and of the characteristics of the quality of life evaluated based on the QLS scale. The patients of the two former groups experienced a more conspicuous decrease in the activity of the inflammatory process in seminal vesicles, restoration of their structural and anatomical features (as shown by the transrectal ultrasound study), improvement of testosterone metabolism, and normalization of the spermogram characteristics in comparison with controls. The analysis of the spermograms revealed the tendency toward the increase in the number of actively motile spermatozoa only in the patients of group 2. The combined treatment of the patients of the two former groups resulted in the decrease of the level of sex hormone-binding globulin and the increase of the free androgen index. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that the application of the preformed physical factors for the treatment of the patients presenting with chronic bacterial vesiculitis enhances the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy and decreases both the frequency and the duration of relapses of the disease.

Long-term functional outcome after traumatic lumbosacral dissociation. A retrospective case series of 13 patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. INTRODUCTION: Traumatic lumbosacral dissociation (TLSD) is a rare subgroup of sacral fractures caused by high-energy trauma in healthy adults. There are no accepted treatment algorithms for these injuries. Neurologic deficits and pain are commonly associated with these injuries, however, little is known about the long-term functional outcome in patients with TLSD. The objective of this study was to assess long-term functional outcome in patients with traumatic lumbosacral dissociation (TLSD) injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with TLSD were retrospectively identified and followed with clinical and radiological examination mean 7.7 (3-12) years after the injury. Five were treated operatively, and eight non-operatively. Sensorimotor impairments in the lower extremities were classified according to ASIA. Urinary function was assessed with uroflowmetry, and bowel- and sexual functions were assessed using a structured interview. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and patient-reported health with SF-36. CT images were scrutinized for non-union and kyphotic angulation across the fracture. RESULTS: Eleven patients had neurologic deficits corresponding to L5 and sacral roots. Urinary dysfunction was observed in nine, and bowel dysfunction in three patients. Eight patients reported problems associated with sexual activities, with pain during intercourse and erectile dysfunction being the most common problems. Twelve patients reported pain in the lumbosacral area, in combination with radiating pain in the majority. The overall patient-reported health (SF-36) was significantly lower than the normal population. All sacral fractures were united as seen on CT. Sacral kyphotic angulation was present in 11, which had increased in three patients comparing with the initial radiographs. CONCLUSION: In this long-term follow-up, functional impairments, pain, and poor patient-reported health were common findings among patients with TLSD. High rates of neurologic, urinary and sexual dysfunctions were reported. Extended follow-up several years after the injury with a special focus on urogenital dysfunctions and pain management may be beneficial to these patients.

Pro and Cons of Transurethral Self-Catheterization in Boys: A Long-Term Teaching Experience in a Pediatric Rehabilitation Centre.

PURPOSE: To describe the acceptance and efficacy of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) in the management of lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction regardless of the age of the children and their degree of urethral sensation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated boys managed with CIC at a pediatric teaching hospital between 1992 and 2014. Age, urethral sensation, acceptance, efficacy in terms of continence and preserving upper urinary tract and genitourinary complications were reviewed in the medical records. RESULTS: Sixty boys managed with CIC for LUT dysfunction due to neurological or urological disorders were identified. The median age at CIC initiation was 8.2 years (range, 1.4-18). With regard to age, CIC was well tolerated in younger boys and without genital sensation. Failure in the CIC protocol occurred within the first six months (n = 9). More boys with genital sensation were socially continent with CIC (91% versus 83%, P = .05). Vesicoureteral reflux was resolved in 69% of boys (P = .03), and hydronephrosis in 54% (P = .07). CONCLUSION: CIC was effective in terms of continence and renal protection. The procedure was feasible even in boys with preserved urethral sensation. Therapeutic education by a dedicated urotherapy nurse is the key factor in ensuring long-term CIC compliance and acceptability.

[Experience of use of prolit super septo in the rehabilitation of patients after endoscopic surgery].

Numerous publications on the successful application of prolit super septo ( Greenwood, RF) in metaphylaxis of urolithiasis after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, and in infectiousand inflammatory diseases of the upper and lower urinary tract gave rise to research aimed at investigating the efficacy and safety of long-term use of prolit super septo in patients undergoing various transurethral and percutaneous interventions. From September 2012, to March 2013, 894 transurethral and percutaneous endoscopic interventions were performed. The main group (n=450) consisted of patients treating with prolit super septo at a dose of 2 capsules 2 times a day for a one month in addition to standard uroantiseptic therapy after endourological interventions. The control group (n=444) consisted of patients receiving standard therapy for the same period after same interventions. The evaluation of patients both main and control group was focused on pyuria, daily diuresis, symptoms and quality of life of patients. It was found that after transurethral surgery of the lower urinary tract, the use of prolit super septo reduces the severity of irritative symptoms, improves the quality of life, reduces the leucocyturia, and increases the diuresis. Application of prolit super septo after operations on the upper urinary tract leads to a decrease of leucocyturia, increase of dieresis, and improves the discharge of residual fragments. In patients with oxalate and urate calculi, persistent increase in the pH of urine was noteda, which may be a part of metaphylaxis of urolithiasis. Adverse effects associated with taking of prolit super septo were not observed.

Resultados de la rehabilitación kinésica de piso pélvico en un grupo de mujeres con incontinencia de orina / Results of pelvic floor kinesiologic rehabilitation in a group of women with urinary incontinence

Según la ICS, la primera línea de tratamiento para Incontinencia de Orina debería ser la rehabilitación kinésica de piso pélvico ya que se produce una mejoría de los síntomas hasta en un 85 por ciento de los casos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir los resultados de una cohorte de mujeres incontinentes tratadas con un protocolo de rehabilitación, comparando la técnica biofeedback manual versus biofeedback electromiográfico. Se analizó un total de 68 mujeres de 30 a 80 años de edad con diagnóstico médico de IU, derivadas a Rehabilitación kinésica de piso pélvico entre marzo de 2011 y marzo de 2012. Se generaron 2 grupos de intervención mediante muestreo dirigido. En el grupo 1 (G1) constó de 48 mujeres que recibieron el siguiente protocolo: biofeedback manual (BM), pauta de ejercicios en domicilio y neuro modulación de tibial posterior. El grupo 2 (G2) constó de 20 mujeres que fueron tratadas con biofeedback electromiográfico (BEM) y la misma pauta de ejercicios en domicilio y protocolo de neuro modulación de tibial posterior. Al evaluar los datos obtenidos no se objetivaron diferencias signi-ficativas entre ambos grupos previo a la intervención. En todos los casos y con ambas técnicas se objetivan mejorías significativas en cuanto a frecuencia miccional diurna / nocturna, numero de apósitos diurno / nocturno, cuantía de la fuga, fuerza muscular y calidad de vida. Sin embargo, se objetivo menor frecuencia de micción diurna al final del seguimiento con técnica BEM (mediana de 5, IC 95 por ciento 1.12 – 7) respecto al BM (mediana de 7, IC 95 por ciento 6-7) p= 0.0208. Conclusión: Ambas protocolos de rehabilitación kinésica del piso pélvico mostraron mejoría significativa en la calidad de vida y fuerza perineal, evidenciando una disminución en los episodios de incontinencia, urgencia y uso de apósitos. Por otra parte, la única diferencia significativa entre el protocolo de biofeedback electromiográfico y manual, fue que el primero mostró menor...

According to the ICS, the first line of treatment for urinary incontinence should be pelvic floor rehabilitation, as it shows an improvement of symptoms in 85 percent of cases. The aim of this study was to describe the results of a cohort of incontinent women treated with a rehabilitation protocol, comparing the techniques: Manual versus Electromyographic biofeedback. Material and methods: We analyzed a total of 68 women, 30- 80 years of age, with medical diagnosis of urinary incontinente referred to Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation between March 2011 and March 2012. 2 groups were generated by targeted intervention. Group 1 (G1) consisted of 48 women who received the following protocol: Manual biofeedback (BM), exercise regimen at home and posterior tibial neuromodulation. Group 2 (G2) consisted of 20 women who were treated with Electromyographic biofeedback (BEM) and the same pattern of exercise protocol and posterior tibial neuromodulation. The data obtained showed no signi¬ficant differences between the two groups before the intervention. In all cases and with both techniques are we objectified significant improvements in terms of urinary frequency day / night, number of pads day / night, amount of leakage, muscle strength and quality of life. However, we observed less daytime micturition frequency at follow- up with BEM technique (median 5, 95 percent CI 1.12 - 7) compared to BM (median of 7, 95 percent CI 6- 7) p = 0.0208. Both pelvic floor reahabilitation protocols showed significant improvement in quality of life and perineal strength, showing a decrease in incontinence episodes, urgency and use of pads. Moreover, the only signi¬ficant difference between electromyographic biofeedback protocol and manual biofeedback protocol, was that the daytime voiding frequency was lower in the ¬ first Group compared to the second.

Characteristics of patients seeking outpatient rehabilitation for pelvic-floor dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic-floor dysfunction (PFD) affects a substantial proportion of individuals, especially women. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were: (1) to describe the characteristics of individuals with disorders associated with PFD who were seeking outpatient physical therapy services and (2) to identify the prevalence of specific pelvic-floor disorders in the group. DESIGN: This was a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study of 2,452 patients (mean age=50 years, SD=16, range=18-91) being treated in 109 outpatient physical therapy clinics in 26 states (United States) for their PFD. METHODS: This study examined patient demographic variables and summarized patient self-reported responses to questions related to urinary and bowel functioning at admission prior to receiving the therapy for their PFD disorders. RESULTS: Patients primarily were female (92%), were under 65 years of age (39%: 18 to <45 years; 39%: 45 to <65 years; 21%: 65 years or older), and had chronic symptoms (74%). Overall, 67% of the patients reported that they had urinary problems, 27% reported bowel problems, and 39% had pelvic pain. Among those who had urinary or bowel disorders, 32% and 54% reported leakage and constipation, respectively, as their only problem. Among patients who had pelvic pain, most (56%) reported that the pain was in the abdominal area. Combinations of urinary, bowel, or pelvic-floor pain disorders occurred in 31% of the patients. LIMITATIONS: Because this study was a secondary analysis of data collected prospectively, the researchers were not in control of the data collection procedure. Missing data were common. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggested most patients with PFD receiving outpatient physical therapy services were female, younger than 65 years, and had disorders lasting for more than 90 days. Combinations of urinary, bowel, or pelvic-floor pain disorders were not uncommon.

[Epidemiology of urological symptoms in neurological disorders. A prospective analysis in a center for neurological rehabilitation]. / Epidemiologie urologischer Symptome bei neurologischen Erkrankungen. Eine prospektive Analyse in einer neurologischen Rehabilitationsklinik.

The frequency of urological symptoms and malfunctions was determined in a representative group of patients in a neurological rehabilitation center in Northern Bavaria. All 225 consecutive inpatients between October 2002 and April 2003 were questioned by an experienced neuro-urologist about relevant urological symptoms. The Barthel index, IPSS, and a simple quality of life score were ascertained in addition. We tried to analyze indication, frequency, and quality of any treatment for previous urological symptoms in the assigning institution. An assessment of the known therapy of urological symptoms in pretreating facilities was documented in 190 patients (84.4%). In 105 cases (55.3%) treatment was appraised as sufficient (including all patients without urological symptoms) and not sufficient in 85 cases (44.7%). At the time of admission into the rehabilitation center no urological symptoms were seen in 78 cases (35.1%); 144 patients (64.9%) presented with relevant urological symptoms. It could be pointed out that patients with urological symptoms without adequate treatment lost quality of life significantly, both at medical and at subjective assessment. Total morbidity of patients with urological symptoms was shown to be worse regarding Barthel index, IPSS, and quality of life assessed by IPSS. By providing continuous neuro-urologically qualified support, deficits due to inadequate pretreatment could be compensated in comparison to the group with appropriate pretreatment. A further optimization of the rehabilitation potential of neurologically ill patients seems possible by an implementation of urological base measures into the neurological treatment routine and improved urological training of neurological treatment teams.

[Lower urinary tract dysfunction and stroke]. / Troubles vésico-sphintériens des accidents vasculaires cérébraux.

Lower urinary tract dysfunction is very frequent during the acute phase of stroke. In the majority of cases, it resolves over the months following the acute neurological event. A review of the literature does not identify any chronic urinary disorders specific to post-stroke, except in very particular cases (spinal cord infarction, frontal stroke, etc.). However, there appears to be a high incidence of nonspecific voiding disorders, such as urinary incontinence related to urgency-frequency syndrome or nocturia. In particular these disorders complicate the management of lower urinary tract obstructive disorders in these frail patients. Urologists must be familiar with these disorders in order to evaluate these patients particularly carefully before proposing treatments, especially surgery, which appears to achieve much less favourable results, especially functional results, than in the general population.

[Urological rehabilitation of spinal cord injury patients]. / Urologische Rehabilitation Querschnittgelähmter.

The urological rehabilitation of spinal cord injury patients depends on an optimal urological treatment plan and good cooperation between the patient, general practitioner, urologist, and a centre that specialises in treating spinal cord injuries. Because of medical advancements in neuro-urology, one can assume that in cases of lifelong urological care, the individual's life expectancy will be almost normal. The recognition that nonphysiological bladder storage pressure results in restricted kidney function has led to various therapeutic strategies with complementary goals, such as protection of the upper urinary tract, urinary continence, individualized bladder management.

El papel del fisioterapeuta pélvico / The role of the pelvic physical therapist

La fisioterapia pélvica se centra en la prevención y el tratamiento de todos los tipos de trastornos funcionales de las regiones abdominal, pélvica y lumbar como la incontinencia urinaria, que está considerada como un problema de salud de alta prevalencia en mujeres, hombres, niños y ancianos. La fisioterapia está considerada a menudo como el tratamiento de primera elección dado su carácter no invasivo y los resultados en términos de alivio de los síntomas, la posibilidad de combinar fisioterapia con otros tratamientos, el bajo riesgo de efectos secundarios y un coste entre moderado y bajo. Entre las limitaciones importantes que alcanzan el éxito están la motivación y la perseverancia tanto del paciente como del terapeuta y el tiempo que hay que emplear para llevar a cabo la fisioterapia. Los recursos del fisioterapeuta pélvico incluyen intervenciones como el diagnóstico fisioterapéutico, la educación e información de los pacientes, el entrenamiento de la musculatura del suelo pélvico (MSP), el entrenamiento de la vejiga (EV), el entrenamiento con conos vaginales, la estimulación eléctrica, la biorretroalimentación, etc. En la incontinencia de esfuerzo, para mejorar el mecanismo extrínseco de cierre de la uretra, la fisioterapia tiene como objetivo mejorar la fuerza y la coordinación de los músculos periuretrales y del suelo pélvico. El entrenamiento de la MSP resulta especialmente eficaz. En la hiperactividad del detrusor, el objetivo de la fisioterapia es reducir o eliminar las contracciones involuntarias del detrusor mediante la inhibición del reflejo. Aquí, la terapia mediante estimulación eléctrica parece ser una intervención eficaz. En la incontinencia urinaria mixta el proceso de diagnóstico y tratamiento fisioterapéutico se centra en los factores predominantes. La prostatectomía radical es la causa más importante de incontinencia en los varones. Un programa adecuado de entrenamiento de la MSP después de la prostatectomía radical disminuye la duración y la extensión de la incontinencia y mejora la calidad de vida. Conclusión: la fisioterapia es en muchos casos de incontinencia una opción de tratamiento eficaz

Pelvic physical therapy focuses on the prevention and the treatment of all kinds of functional disorders of the abdominal, pelvic and low back region, like urinary incontinence, that is considered as a high prevalent health problem in women, men, children and the elderly. Physical therapy is often considered as the first-choice treatment, due to its non-invasive character, the results in terms of symptom relief, the possibility of combining physical therapy with other treatments, the low risk of side effects and the moderate to low costs. Important restrictions for success might be motivation and perseverance of patient and therapist and the time needed for physical therapy. The armentum of the pelvic physical therapist contains interventions such as physiotherapeutic diagnostics, education and information of patients, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training, bladder training (BlT), training with vaginal cones, electrical stimulation, biofeedback, etc. In stress incontinence, to improve the extrinsic closing mechanism of the urethra, physical therapy is aimed on strength improvement and coordination of the peri-urethral and pelvic floor muscles. Especially, PFM training is effective. For detrusor over activity physical therapy aims to reduce or eliminate involuntary detrusor contractions through reflex inhibition. Here, electrical therapy appears to be an effective intervention. In mixed urinary incontinence the physiotherapeutic diagnostic & therapeutic process focuses on the predominant factors. Radical prostatectomy is the most important cause of incontinence in men. An adequate program of PFM training, after radical prostatectomy, decreases the duration and the extent of incontinence and improves the quality of life. Conclusion: physical therapy is in many cases of incontinence an effective treatment option

[Medical control on the state of pilots' health suffering from urologic diseases].

The complexity of flying work and human factor significance increase the responsibility of aviation physician for health and high working capacity of the flying staff. The early diagnosis of potentially dangerous urological pathology is of particular importance because the renal and urinary tract diseases are revealed unexpectedly among the flying staff. The incidence of surgical pathology including the urologic one takes the third place in the RF Armed Forces. That's why the main directions to improve the urologic care in the Armed Forces medical service are the optimization of urologists' numerical staff, the development of new organizing-and-staff structure and the number of specialized urologic departments (centers, rooms, and wards) on the basis of central, district and garrison hospitals, the increase in urologists' professional training quality, the improvement of treatment-and-prophylactic work. It is necessary to conduct the quarterly, half-yearly and yearly analysis of urological diseases, connected with flying incidents.

[Methods of management of sanatoria for patients with urologic diseases]. / Metody upravleniia zdravnitsami dlia urologicheskikh bol'nykh.

Presents experience gained in development and introduction of managing technologies in organization of spa and health resort rehabilitation of urological patients--a population relatively new for the Black Sea health resorts.