Outcome of Different Approaches to Reduce Urinary Tract Infection in Patients With Spinal Cord Lesions: A Systematic Review

Identified needs to enhance life for people with spinal cord injury: a part of the Swedish Needs Assessment Project

PURPOSE

To identify factors that contribute to the enhanced life of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Sweden.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study combined workshops (n = 38) and survey data (n = 243) from people living with SCI and their relatives, health professionals, and personal care assistants working with people living with SCI. The data were first categorized using Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model, followed by a conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

The factors that contribute to an enhanced life for people living with SCI are similar to those of the general population, including relationships, leisure activities, and occupation within the mesosystem. However, the unique components of the exosystem and macrosystem are specifically associated with people living with SCI. The exosystem, particularly in healthcare, plays a major role for medical reasons but also tends to obtrude and minimize the mesosystem. The macrosystem is essential, as it sets the rules that govern the actors in the other layers, creating prerequisites for meeting the needs of the mesosystem and exosystem.

CONCLUSIONS

The needs that contribute to an enhanced life are multifaceted and individualized. Therefore, these systems must be flexible throughout the lifespan of individuals with SCI.

Clinical Application of Botulinum Neurotoxin in Lower-Urinary-Tract Diseases and Dysfunctions: Where Are We Now and What More Can We Do?

Botulinum toxin A (Botox) had been considered a promising drug that has an effect on functional disorders of the lower urinary tract. Because Botox exhibits anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects, Botox injection into the bladder can decrease detrusor contractility, reduce bladder hypersensitivity, and eliminate painful sensations. Injecting Botox into the bladder outlet can relax the hyperactivity of the bladder neck, and of the urethral smooth and striated muscles. Based on these therapeutic effects, Botox has been widely applied to treat lower-urinary-tract dysfunctions (LUTDs) such as overactive bladder and neurogenic detrusor overactivity. However, this treatment has not been licensed for use in other LUTDs such as interstitial cystitis, voiding dysfunction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia in men, and dysfunctional voiding in women. Botox has also not been approved for the treatment of children with overactive bladder and dysfunctional voiding; in patients with spinal cord injuries with detrusor sphincter dyssynergia and autonomic dysreflexia; or for poorly relaxed external sphincter in non-neurogenic patients. This article reviews the current knowledge regarding Botox treatment for LUTDs and discusses the potential clinical applications of Botox, as well as work that can be conducted in the future.

Contemporary management considerations of urinary tract infections for women with spina bifida

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the leading health concerns and causes of hospitalization for adults with spina bifida (SB). The risk factors, evaluation, management, and prevention of UTIs in women with SB must take into consideration their unique pelvic anatomy and function as well as the desire for pregnancy or the occurrence UTI during pregnancy. This article reviews published literature regarding this topic and offers recommendations for UTI evaluation, management, and prevention in the context of the unique pelvic floor health needs of women with SB.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using the following keywords: spinal dysraphism, spina bifida, myelomeningocele, meningocele, urinary tract infections, females, and adults. Articles were included if they were in English, published during or after 2000, peer reviewed, included women with spina bifida aged 18 or greater, and included outcomes related to urinary tract infection.

RESULTS

No articles met inclusion criteria.

CONCLUSION

As no articles were found based on the initial search criteria, articles pertaining to neurogenic bladder UTI risks, evaluation, and management were discussed to develop consensus recommendations for the unique care of UTIs in women with SB.

Association of age-adjusted D-dimer with deep vein thrombosis risk in patients with spinal cord injury: a cross-sectional study

STUDY DESIGN

Article.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the association of age-adjusted D-dimer (AAD) with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) risk to lower limbs in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

SETTING

Rehabilitation Medicine Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of China University of Science and Technology.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 250 patients with SCI in the rehabilitation department from August 2018 to December 2021. Quartiles divided the D-dimer level into four groups to analyze the association between AAD level and DVT risk.

RESULTS

Age was identified as a covariate of D-dimer and DVT risk. For non-adjusted model, when D-dimer increased by 1 mg/L, DVT risk increased 0.23-fold (P < 0.05); for minimally-adjusted model (adjusted for age), the risk increased 0.22-fold (P < 0.05); and for fully-adjusted model (adjusted for age, sex, pulmonary infection, degree, grades, and career), it increased 0.19-fold (P < 0.05). AAD had a curvilinear association with DVT risk, and the fold point was 1.9 mg/L (P < 0.05). When serum AAD level was <1.9 mg/L (K < 1.9), the estimated change in DVT risk was 3.34 (P < 0.05), and when serum AAD level was >1.9 mg/L (K > 1.9), the estimated change was 1.14 (P < 0.05). Urinary tract infection (UTI) and fibrinogen(tertile) had a interaction association with D-dimer level and DVT risk (P interaction < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with SCI who receive rehabilitation treatment with AAD level >1.9 mg/L need to be paid close attention to, especially those with UTI and high levels of fibrinogen.