Correlation between motor function and lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with infantile cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate urodynamic findings in patients with infantile cerebral palsy (CP) and to correlate the findings with impaired motor function.


METHODS
We conducted a videourodynamic investigation on a highly select group of 29 patients (3-53 years). Motor function was assessed in each patient by the Gross Motor Function Classification System for CP (GMFCS). With this system, motor function is divided into five levels: patients in Level I have the most independent motor function and patients in Level V the least. The patients were divided into Group 1 (23 symptomatic patients with recurrent urinary tract infection or urinary incontinence) and Group 2 (6 asymptomatic patients).


RESULTS
In Group 1, 21 patients (91%) had reduced compliance (0.6-16.4 ml/cmH(2)O) and 16 patients (70%) had increased DLPP (>40 cmH(2)O). Detrusor overactivity and pelvic floor overactivity were found in all 23 patients. In Group 2, two patients (33%) had reduced compliance (0.7 and 5.8 ml/cmH(2)O) and four (67%) had increased DLPP (>40 cm H(2)O). Detrusor overactivity and pelvic floor overactivity were observed in five patients (83%). Symptomatic patients showed higher GMFCS levels than asymptomatic patients. In the group of asymptomatic patients, there was no one classified as Levels IV or V, while there were no symptomatic patients classified as Level I.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that urinary symptoms and pathological urodynamic findings increase along with the degree of motor function impairment shown by the GMFCS. Pathologic urodynamic findings can be found in both symptomatic and in asymptomatic patients.
Bross
Stephan
S
Department of Urology, University Hospital Mannheim, 68135 Mannheim, Germany. sbross@gmx.de
Honeck
Patrick
P
Kwon
Sun Tscheol
ST
Badawi
Jasmin Katrin
JK
Trojan
Lutz
L
Alken
Peter
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003187:Compliance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000503:physiopathology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000150:complications; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology