The Challenges of Real-life Bladder Diary Use and Interpretation

Bladder Diary Feasibility and Reliability in Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Patients

OBJECTIVES

Bladder diary (BD) is an important tool to understand patients' lower urinary tract symptoms. But few data exist on adult neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (ANLUTD) patients. The aim was to assess in real-life practice the feasibility, reliability and influencing factors of BD completion in patients with ANLUTD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients with ANLUTD who had a first neuro-urologic consultation between January 2022 and April 2023 were included. No patients underwent intermittent self-catheterization. We collected demographic data, validated questionnaires about symptoms and quality of life, the presence and analysis of the 3-day BD. BD was classified as feasible if patients returned it nonempty and was deemed reliable if patients had completed at least 2 consecutive days, if it did not have an intake-output imbalance, and if it were consistent with the USP questionnaire. We investigated influencing factors of feasibility and reliability with a general linear regression.

RESULTS

One hundred and nighty-nine patients were included (mean age 56 ± 14; 111 (55.7%) women). Eighty-four (42.2%) had demyelinating disease, 55 (27.6%) Parkinson's disease, 51 (25.6%) neuro-genetic disorder and 7 (4.5%) spinal cord injury or cauda equina syndrome. BD were classified as feasible for 128 (64%) patients and 45 (40.5%) were deemed reliable. In a generalized linear model, no factor was associated with BD feasibility or reliability.

CONCLUSIONS

In a ANLUTD population, the BD is a feasible tool, but its interpretation should be met with caution due to its limited reliability. No factor was associated with the feasibility or reliability of the BD.

Moving Beyond the Bladder Diary: Does New Technology Now Allow Us to Take Investigation of LUTS Into the Community? ICI-RS 2024

CONTEXT

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) are defined by their distressing effect on patients' day-to-day life. Given the pressures on secondary care resources, LUTS may be overlooked or inadequately assessed and therefore patients may be burdened for an extended period before treatment.

METHODS

In a debate held at the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society (ICI-RS) meeting in Bristol in June 2024, we considered how new technologies might contribute to an expedited, dignified and effective investigation of LUTS.

RESULTS

We describe three broad areas where technology has a role to play: streamlining of existing investigations through mobile and miniaturized technology; entirely new investigations made possible by the technology; and advanced analytics to provide better insights from the data available.

CONCLUSION

We describe key research questions that will signpost us toward answering the question raised in the title.

The Impact of Urodynamic Findings on Fatigue and Depression in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Fatigue and depression are common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that severely impair quality of life. The factors influencing both are of increasing interest for establishing therapeutic synergisms. Correlations between the symptoms of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), fatigue, and depression have been described, but the impact of pathological urodynamic study (UDS) findings has not been investigated to date. Method: This retrospective, observational study correlated UDS findings of 274 people with MS (PwMS), prospectively collected between February 2017 and September 2021, with scores on the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions and the German version of the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The effects of abnormal UDS on the FSMC and ADS scores were examined. Abnormal UDS was defined as follows: first desire to void (FDV) < 100 mL, strong desire to void < 250 mL (SDV), abnormal sensation, detrusor overactivity, detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, reduced cystometric bladder capacity < 250 mL (MCBC), and compliance < 20 mL/cm H2O (Clow). Results: PwMS with Clow (mean difference 3.21, 95% CI 0.25; 6.17, p = 0.036) or FDV < 100 mL (mean difference 2.61, 95% CI 0.1; 5.12, p = 0.041) had significantly higher FSMC mean values than those without. PwMS with MCBC < 250 mL (relative risk 1.06, 95% CI 1.02; 1.1, p = 0.006) or Clow (relative risk 1.06, 95% CI 1.02; 1.1, p = 0.004) had an increased risk of clinically relevant fatigue. No effects were found for depression. Conclusions: PwMS with NLUTD have higher FSMC scores and an increased risk of fatigue in our retrospective study. The assessment of prospective longitudinal data regarding the effect of successfully treated NLUTD on fatigue is important for utilising therapeutic synergisms for improved quality of life in PwMS.

Can we increase the value of data from bladder diaries? International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society 2023

BACKGROUND

Bladder diaries represent a fundamental component in the assessment of patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms. Nevertheless, their importance often remains underappreciated and undervalued within clinical practice. This paper aims to conduct a comprehensive review of the existing literature concerning the utility of bladder diaries, underscore the criticality of their precision, elucidate the factors contributing to noncompliance with bladder diary completion, and investigate potential strategies for enhancing patient compliance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of the English-language scientific literature available in the domains of Medline, Embase, Emcare, Midirs, and Cinahl was conducted. This was supplemented by discussion at the International Consultation on Incontinence Research Society Proposal session to define knowledge and identify gaps in knowledge surrounding the utility of bladder diaries. The existing evidence and outcome of the relevant discussion held in the meeting are presented.

RESULTS

Bladder diaries (BD) serve to characterize the nature and severity of storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and provide an objective record of an individual's urination patterns. They aid in the refinement and customization of treatment strategies based on the clinical responses documented in the diary, optimizing treatment outcomes. Notably, both BD and urodynamic studies (UDS) play complementary yet distinct roles in LUTS evaluation. BD offers a more comprehensive and accessible approach to assessing specific storage LUTS, particularly due to their affordability and widespread availability, especially in resource-limited settings. Nevertheless, the absence of a standardized BD format across global healthcare systems presents a significant challenge. Despite being recognized as reliable, noninvasive, validated, and cost-effective tools for evaluating patients with LUTS, the implementation and completion of BD have proven to be complex. The introduction of automated bladder diaries heralds an era of precise, real-time data collection, potentially enhancing the patient-clinician relationship. Completion of bladder diaries depends on an array of individual, social, and healthcare-specific factors. Compliance with bladder diary completion could be enhanced with clear instructions, patient education, regular follow-ups and positive re-enforcement. This study has identified four critical areas for future research: Addressing healthcare disparities between affluent and developing nations, enhancing the current functionality and effectiveness of bladder diaries, exploring the feasibility of incorporating bladder diaries into the treatment and education process and improving the quality and functionality of existing bladder diaries.

CONCLUSION

Bladder diaries play a pivotal role in the evaluation and management of patients with LUTS, providing a holistic perspective. When their complete potential is harnessed, they have the capacity to revolutionize the paradigm of LUTS management, ushering in a patient-centered era of care.

Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Fatigue, and Depression-Are There Correlations in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis?

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently include fatigue, depression, and neurogenic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), causing severe burdens on affected individuals. The relationships between these symptoms have not been intensively researched and there are no studies on the detailed influence of the different neurogenic LUTS. We aimed to investigate the relationships between fatigue, depression, and neurogenic LUTS as recorded in bladder diaries by persons with MS. We analyzed the bladder diaries of 274 people and their scores on the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (German version). The neurogenic LUTS were defined as urgency, reduced voided volume, increased standardized voiding frequency, nocturia, and urinary incontinence. Those suffering from incontinence, nocturia, reduced voided volume, or urgency had higher fatigue scores compared to those without these symptoms. Those with nocturia showed significantly higher scores for depression. The severity of urgency and voided volume had the greatest effect on the severity of individuals' fatigue and depression levels. With increasing urgency, the risk of clinically significant fatigue and depression was expected to increase. Urgency and voided volume correlated most with fatigue and depression. A prospective longitudinal study investigating fatigue/depression after the successful treatment of neurogenic LUTS is needed to clarify causality and offer possible treatment options for fatigue and depression.

Current state of bladder diary: a survey and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

The objectives of this study are (1) to assess practice patterns among urogynecology/female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) providers regarding the use of bladder diaries (BD) and (2) to review the literature regarding BD.

METHODS

For the first objective, a survey was emailed to United States-based urogynecology providers in 2019 querying frequency of use of bladder diaries (F_BD), indications, problems, patient education methods, and perception of utility. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression were performed. For the second objective, we reviewed literature published in English by searching the terms "voiding," "bladder," or "incontinence," in combination with "diary," "log," or "questionnaire."

RESULTS

A total of 371 of 851 (43.5%) contacted providers responded. Nearly 80% were attending physicians, 75.5% of whom completed the FPMRS fellowship; 20.8% of all respondents and nearly 25% of fellowship-trained attendings reported F_BD <20% in the last year. FPMRS providers were more likely to report F_BD >80%. A total of 97.5% of respondents cited difficulty in using BD. Most (71.6%) taught patients to use BD themselves or shared responsibility with a nonphysician staff member (53.4%). BD is a validated and valuable instrument; however, there are obstacles to its use. Despite recent innovations including electronic and automated BD, there is a paucity of data regarding the provider-viewed challenges in implementing BD.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature supports the use of BD; however, many survey respondents, including fellowship-trained attendings, never or rarely use BD. Most respondents reported difficulty in using BD. More research is needed to improve the ease, accuracy, and widespread adaptation of BD use in clinical practice.

Evaluation and Treatment in Urology for Nocturia Caused by Nonurological Mechanisms: Guidance from the PLANET Study

Patients with nocturia are commonly referred to urology clinics, including many for whom a nonurological medical condition is responsible for their symptoms. The PLanning Appropriate Nocturia Evaluation and Treatment (PLANET) study was established to develop practical approaches to equip healthcare practitioners to deal with the diverse causes of nocturia, based on systematic reviews and expert consensus. Initial assessment and therapy need to consider the possibility of one or more medical conditions falling into the "SCREeN" areas of Sleep medicine (insomnia, periodic limb movements of sleep, parasomnias, and obstructive sleep apnoea), Cardiovascular (hypertension and congestive heart failure), Renal (chronic kidney disease), Endocrine (diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, pregnancy/menopause, and diabetes insipidus), and Neurology. Medical and medication causes of xerostomia should also be considered. Some key indicators for these conditions can be identified in urology clinics, working in partnership with the primary care provider. Therapy of the medical condition in some circumstances lessens the severity of nocturia. However, in many cases there is a conflict between the two, in which case the medical condition generally takes priority on safety grounds. It is important to provide patients with a realistic expectation of therapy and awareness of limitations of current therapeutic options for nocturia. PATIENT SUMMARY: Nocturia is the symptom of waking at night to pass urine. Commonly, this problem is referred to urology clinics. However, in some cases, the patient does not have a urological condition but actually a condition from a different speciality of medicine. This article describes how best the urologist and the primary care doctor can work together to assess the situation and make sensible and safe treatment suggestions. Unfortunately, there is sometimes no safe or effective treatment choice for nocturia, and treatment needs to focus instead on supportive management of symptoms.