Morphological and functional factors predicting bladder deterioration after spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated factors predictive of morphological and functional deterioration of the bladder in patients with spinal cord injury.


METHODS
Urological evaluation, including excretory urography and urodynamic studies, was performed once a year in 66 patients. Bladder compliance was used as an index of bladder function.


RESULTS
Mean age of the patients with worsening bladder form and function was significantly greater than that of those with no change. In patients with worsening bladder function intermittent catheterization was performed less frequently and mean catheterization volume was greater compared to those with improvement and no change. Catheterization was less frequent and at long intervals in patients with a high urethral closure pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
High storage pressure due to a high urethral closure pressure is believed to cause deterioration of bladder form and function.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors; D014521:Urethra / Q000503:physiopathology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014563:Urodynamics; D014567:Urography
D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists