title: Urinary considerations for adult patients with spinal dysraphism.
abstract: The incidence of newborns with spinal dysraphism is diminishing worldwide, although survival of individuals with this condition into adulthood continues to improve. The number of adults with spinal dysraphism will, therefore, increase in the coming years, which will pose new challenges in patient management. Urological manifestations of spinal dysraphism can include increased risks of urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, urinary calculi, sexual dysfunction, end-stage renal disease and iatrogenic metabolic disturbances; however, the severity and incidence of these symptoms varies substantially between patients. Owing to the presence of multiple comorbidities, treatment and follow-up protocols often have to be adapted to best suit the needs of specific patients. Authors describe bladder and kidney function and long-term complications of treatments initiated in childhood, as well as the potential for improvements in quality of life through better follow-up schedules and future developments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Room C.04.236, Heidelberglaan 100, P.O. Box 85500, 3584 CX, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Veenboer
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Room C.04.236, Heidelberglaan 100, P.O. Box 85500, 3584 CX, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Laetitia M O
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: de Kort
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Urology Paediatric Renal Centre, Department of Paediatric Urology, University Children's Hospital, UMCU, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rafal J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Chrzan
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Urology Paediatric Renal Centre, Department of Paediatric Urology, University Children's Hospital, UMCU, P.O. Box 85090, 3508 AB, Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tom P V M
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: de Jong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000503:physiopathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D016137:Spina Bifida Cystica / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology*; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000209:etiology*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D014563:Urodynamics