Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP85-12
Sources of Funding: None

Introduction

To assess the management and types of urological complications in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients and to explore the risk factors for these complications.

Methods

43 SCI patients with a median follow-up of 45 (range 40 to 50) years were included in this retrospective study (Table 1). All medical charts were reviewed for demographics, urological complications and bladder management.

Results

Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) was noted in all patients, with an average incidence of 6.1 cases/5-year per person. UTI incidence peaked in the 1st and the 10th 5-year intervals (Figure 1). After UTI, bladder stone occurred earliest with a median follow-up of 4 years, followed by autonomic dysreflexia (10 years) and urethral injury (10.5 years). Beside UTI the most common complications were: bladder stone (49%), hydronephrosis (47%), vesicoureteral reflux (33%). Most complications initially occurred during the first 25 years post injury. Male gender, cervical injury and condom catheter use were closely related to complications, particularly UTI and renal insufficiency. The bladder managements used for the longest period were condom catheter in males (79%) and clean intermittent catheterization in females (33%), with an average maintenance of 23.6 and 38 years, respectively.

Conclusions

With long follow-up, a wide and complex range of urologic complications occurred in SCI patients and continue to do so throughout the period of follow-up. A greater risk for urologic complications may be seen with certain factors (male gender, cervical SCI, condom catheter use); however, all patients with SCI are at risk for urinary complications over time. Thus, even long-term patients that are thought to be &[Prime]stable&[Prime] require regular follow-up and surveillance.

Funding

None