title: Voiding dysfunction in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to explore bladder dysfunction in a cohort of women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective study of 152 female patients with SLE during a 15-month period. The clinical status of SLE was determined according to the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and bladder function was evaluated by lower urinary tract symptoms and urodynamic studies. We adapted the American Urological Association (AUA) index questionnaire to assess lower urinary tract symptoms in patients, which were compared with those in 227 age-matched healthy women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of individuals reporting urinary frequency, urgency, weak urinary stream, and incomplete emptying, as well as severe lower urinary tract symptoms (AUA index score >/=20), was significantly higher in the SLE group when compared with the control group. The AUA index score showed a modest correlation with the SLEDAI score (r = 0.35, P < 0.001) but not with patient age or disease duration. There was a significant relationship between central nervous system involvement and the AUA index score. The most common urodynamic finding was a small cystometric bladder capacity (<150 ml; n = 7 patients), followed by a subnormal urinary flow rate (<12 ml/second; n = 6 patients). In 3 of 7 patients with small cystometric bladder capacities, imaging studies documented a contracted bladder with marked hydroureteronephrosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with SLE experience an increased prevalence of voiding dysfunction compared with healthy individuals. Voiding dysfunction can be attributable to either direct bladder involvement or other disease-related factors.
authors.affiliation: National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. yhj5251@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Hong-Jeng
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Wei-Chia
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kuang-Lun
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mao-Yuan
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cheng-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003556:Cystitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014563:Urodynamics