title: Urinary Continence in German and Brazilian Individuals With Spina Bifida: Influence of Intermittent Catheterization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with acquisition of urinary continence following introduction of intermittent catheterization (IC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample comprised 104 females and 84 males. Their median age was 11 years (interquartile range = 6.0-22.0 years). Data were collected in 2 settings, the Rehabilitation Hospital in Belo Horizonte Brazil and Dortmund University North-Rhine, Westphalia, Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-four Brazilian and 94 German individuals who had experienced IC participated in the study. Data were collected using printed (Brazil) and online (Germany) questionnaires and analyzed using multivariate logistical regression and analysis of variance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 188 participants, 62.2% (117) achieved complete or partial continence. We found that increasing the frequency of IC increases the likelihood that the patient will acquire continence with IC. Using self-catheterization can increase the likelihood of acquiring continence (partial or complete) up to 2.9 times, in relation to someone who uses no self-catheterization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among patients with spina bifida and neurogenic bladder dysfunction, acquisition of urinary continence after initiating IC was influenced by the use of self-catheterization and daily frequency of IC.
authors.affiliation: Fabiana Faleiros, PhD, Nursing School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Naira B. Favoretto, PhD, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany. Juliana N. Da Costa, MN, Federal University of Ceará, Ceará, Brazil. Christoph Käppler, PhD, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany. Fernando A. R. Pontes, PhD, Pará University, Para, Brazil. Elisabeth G. Atila, RN, Newcastle Private Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Faleiros
authors.forename: Naira B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Favoretto
authors.forename: Juliana N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Da Costa
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Käppler
authors.forename: Fernando A R
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Pontes
authors.forename: Elisabeth G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Atila
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult