Assessment of Bladder Function in Adults with Cerebral Palsy; A Preliminary Study

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bladder function in adults with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Thirteen adults with CP were participated in this study. Nine of these thirteen subjects had urological symptoms. The urological history taking, urine analysis, urine culture, voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and urodynamic study were done. RESULT: The urinary incontinence was the most common presenting symptom. All subjects without urological symptoms showed normal urodynamic findings. Eight of the subjects who had urological symptoms had abnormal findings on urodynamic study. All subjects showed normal findings on voiding cystourethrography. Based on urodynamic findings, six subjects were treated with anticholinergic drug and five (83.3%) of these subjects showed improvement of their urological symptoms. CONCLUSION: Many adults with CP might have the problems in urination. Our study showed that many symptomatic subjects had abnormal urodynamic findings and much of these urological symptoms was improved with proper treatment. These adults with CP would, therefore, benefit from proper assessment and treatment, expecially in the subjects who have urological symptoms.