How to define failure of intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin A for neurogenic detrusor overactivity

INTRODUCTION

Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) has a major impact on patients' quality of life and can lead to upper urinary tract complications. Intradetrusor botulinum toxin type A injections are administered as second-line treatment to these patients following the failure of anticholinergic agents. The aim of the DETOX 2 study is to propose a consensus definition of the failure of intradetrusor botulinum toxin injections for NDO in patients presenting spinal cord injury, spina bifida, or multiple sclerosis (MS) with self-catheterization.

METHOD

This study followed the method adopted by the French National Authority for Health for recommendations by consensus. Based on a review of the literature and a preliminary survey, a steering committee compiled a questionnaire and selected a rating group comprising 16 experts from the Neuro-Urology Committee of the French Urology Association (cnuAFU) and Genulf. The experts were asked to complete the online questionnaire. At the end of the first round, all participants came together to discuss any disagreements and a second-round online questionnaire was completed to reach a consensus.

RESULTS

Thirteen of the 16 experts approached completed both rounds of questionnaires. A strong consensus was reached for two proposals (median score = 9/10) which were therefore included in the definition from the first round: at least one repeat injection of the same botulinum toxin at the same dose must be given to rule out failure on technical grounds and a duration of efficacy <3 months must be considered a failure. At the end of round 2, a relative consensus was reached regarding the clinical criterion defining failure (median score = 7/10) and the urodynamic criterion of failure (median score = 8/10). An additional proposal was selected during this second round on the need for a voiding diary (median score = 8/10).

CONCLUSION

The first consensus definition of failure of an intradetrusor injection of TB-A for NDO has been achieved with this study: persistence of detrusor overactivity with maximum detrusor pressures >40 cm H2O and/or a compliance issue and/or persistence of urinary incontinence and/or urgency and/or a number of daily self-catheterizations >8/day and/or efficacy <3 months. This study will help to standardize research on the failure of the intradetrusor botulinum toxin for NDO in clinical practice and clinical research.

[Uroflowmetry: A follow-up tool for neurogenic bladder patients treated by transcutaneous tibial posterior stimulation?]

OBJECTIVE

Neurogenic bladders can suffer from overactivity, underactivity or dyssynergia depending on the level of the initial lesion. These symptoms can lead to severe alterations of the upper urinary tract. One of the first-line treatments is the transcutaneous tibial posterior stimulation (TTNS), which was demonstrated to be efficient on urodynamics. But it is an invasive, expensive and sometimes not patient-accepted examination, contrary to the uroflowmetry. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of a follow-up with a uroflowmetry when treated by TTNS and show that the maximum flow rate increased after treatment, displaying a better detrusor contraction.

METHODS

In total, 38 patients with neurogenic bladder undergoing a 12-weeks TTNS treatment and with 2 uroflowmetries interpretable before and after treatment were included. The maximum flow rate (Qmax), the urinated volume and the post-void residual (PVR) were retrieved from the uroflowmetry, and the USP-score and the urinary discomfort were asked at each appointment.

RESULTS

Qmax is increased from 17,53ml/s to 18,26ml/s, as well as the PVR (from 76,97ml to 79,16ml). Urinated volume is decreased from 241,4ml to 193,66ml. Patients feel enhanced after TTNS according to the decrease in the USP-score and the urinary discomfort scale.

CONCLUSION

The increase of the cystomanometric capacity and the delay of the detrusor overactivity due to TTNS explains the reduction of the urinated volume and the increase of PVR. Increased Qmax might show a better voluntary bladder contraction, with a restraint due to the lack of abdominal pressure measurement during voiding.

Risk factors for upper urinary tract deterioration in adult patients with spina bifida

PURPOSE

Neurogenic bladder associated with spina bifida disease remains a major cause for mortality or morbidity due to kidney damages. However, we currently do not know which urodynamic findings are associated with an higher risk of upper tract damages in spina bifida patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate urodynamic findings associated with functional kidney failure and/or with morphological kidney damages.

METHODS

A large single-center restrospective study was conducted in our national referral center for spina bifida patients using our patients' files. All urodynamics curves were assessed by the same examinator. Functional and/or morphological evaluation of the upper urinary tract were done at the same moment as the urodynamic exam (between 1 week before and 1 month after). Kidney function was assessed using creatinine serum levels or 24 h urinary creatinine levels (creatinine clearance) for walking patients, or with the 24 h urinary creatinine level for wheelchair-users.

RESULTS

We included 262 spina bifida patients in this study. Fifty-five patients had a poor bladder compliance (21.4%) and 88 of them had detrusor overactivity (33.6%). Twenty patients had a stage 2 kidney failure (eGFR < 60 ml/min) and 81 patients out of 254 (30.9%) had an abnormal morphological examination. There were three urodynamic findings significantly associated with UUTD: bladder compliance (OR = 0.18; p = 0.007), Pdetmax (OR = 14.7; p = 0.003) and detrusor overactivity (OR = 1.84; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

In this large series of spina bifida patients, maximum detrusor pressure and bladder compliance are the main urodynamic findings determinants of UUTD risk.

Transanal irrigation is a better choice for bowel dysfunction in adults with Spina bifida: A randomised controlled trial

AIM

To compare transanal irrigation with conservative bowel management for the treatment of bowel dysfunction in Spina bifida (SB) patients.

METHODS

Patients with SB and bowel dysfunction were randomly assigned to receive either transanal irrigation or conservative bowel management. The effectiveness of the treatment was defined as a decrease of 4 points in the neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) score at week 10. Data on incontinence (Cleveland scores; Jorge-Wexner [JW]) and constipation (Knowles-Eccersley-Scott Symptom Constipation Score [KESS]) were recorded at 10 and 24 weeks after inclusion. Data were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis.

RESULTS

A total of 34 patients were randomised: 16 patients to conservative bowel management and 18 patients to transanal irrigation. A total of 19/31 (61%) patients improved at week 10, 13 (76%) in the transanal irrigation group versus six (43%) in the conservative group (p = 0.056). In the irrigation group, the decrease in NBD score was -6.9 (-9.9 to -4.02) versus -1.9 (-6.5 to -2.8) in the conservative group (p = 0.049 in univariate and p = 0.004 in multivariate analysis). The NBD, Cleveland (JW and KESS) and Rosenberg scores were significantly lower in the transanal irrigation group than in the conservative bowel management group at week 10.

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective, randomised, controlled, multicentre study in adult patients with SB suggests that transanal irrigation may be more effective than conservative bowel management.

French cross-cultural adaptation and validity of the Moorong Self-Efficacy scale: the MSES-FR, a measure of Self-Efficacy for French people with spinal cord injury

PURPOSE

To adapt the Moorong Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES) in the French language and determine its psychometric proprieties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After a back-translation process, an expert committee was solicited to develop the French Self Efficacy Scale, thanks to a Delphi method, regarding theoretical framework and concepts explored. A total of 201 patients with SCI were included to explore internal consistency, internal and external structure validity assessed with the General Self-Efficacy scale, MOS Health Survey Short-Form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Way of Coping Check-list, Perceived Stress Scale, Social Support Questionnaire, Self-Esteem questionnaire, and Satisfaction With Life Scale. The retest was performed 4 days later with a randomized version of the MSES-Fr.

RESULTS

The 16 items are distributed in 3 different dimensions: Interpersonal Self-Efficacy (4 items), Instrumental Self-Efficacy (4 items) and Participation Self-Efficacy (6 items). The internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach α = .87). Results evidenced significant correlations with the MSES-Fr and other related psychological constructs (self-esteem, mood, quality of life). Reproducibility was good for the total score of the MSES-Fr (ICC = .74) and for the 3 dimensions of the scale.

CONCLUSIONS

The MSES-Fr is a valid and reliable tool to assess self-efficacy in persons with spinal cord injury.Implications for rehabilitationThe Moorong Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES) is commonly used in persons with SCI for evaluating the level of perceived effectiveness in living with a disability.Validity and reliability studies of the MSES-Fr show good psychometrics properties in people with SCI.The French version of the MSES has been cross-culturally translated and is ready to be used clinically.

Assessment of sacral spinal excitability using stimulus-response curves of the bulbocavernosus reflex

OBJECTIVE

To analyze and quantify sacral spinal excitability through bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) stimulus-response curves.

METHODS

Thirty subjects with upper motor neuron lesions (UMN) and nine controls were included in this prospective, monocentric study. Sacral spinal excitability was assessed using stimulus-response curves of the BCR, modeled at different bladder filling volumes relative to the desire to void (as defined by the International Continence Society) during a cystometry. Variations in α (i.e. the slope of the stimulus-response curve) were considered as an indicator of the modulation of sacral spinal excitability.

RESULTS

In all subjects, α increased during bladder filling suggesting the modulation of spinal sacral excitability during the filling phase. This increase was over 30% in 96.7% of neurological subjects and 88.9% of controls. The increase was higher before the first sensation to void in the neurological population (163.15%), compared to controls, (29.91%), p < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed the possibility of using BCR stimulus-response curves to characterize sacral spinal response with an amplification of this response during bladder filling as well as a difference in this response amplification in patients with UMN in comparison with a control group.

SIGNIFICANCE

BCR, through stimulus-response curves, might be an indicator of pelvic-perineal exaggerated reflex response and possibly a tool for evaluating treatment effectiveness.

[Urodynamics: All the nurse needs to know]

Urodynamic (UD) is an exam intended to explore the mechanisms underlying lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or urinary incontinence (UI). It involves the measurement of bladder and sphincter pressures using uretrovesical and rectal catheters with pressure transducers, but also the measurement of urinary flow and bladder sensation during filling. UD is far from being systematic in the assessment of LUTS or UI and must seek to tackle a specific clinical or therapeutic question. Thus, history taking, physical examination, voiding diary and questionnaires are essential prerequisites to UD per se. UD steps include a free (unintubated) uroflowmetry, a cystometry, post-void residual measurement±an urethral profilometry, a pressure-flow study or sensitization tests. The pressures are set to zero before to start the study and the validity of the equipment is tested. This control is continued throughout the procedure to ensure the quality of the recording. Any event (e.g., urine leakage, change of position, urgency) is noted during the study. A final report is made by the doctor. The competence of the nurse ensures the reliability, reproducibility and interpretability of the UD study and the nurse's humanity guarantee f an atmosphere as favourable as possible for this uncomfortable and invasive test.

[Effects of attention and desire to void on sensory evoked cortical potentials following perineal stimulation]

OBJECTIVE

Cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) are usually used to test the integrity of lemniscal pathways and thus provide arguments for the neurogenic etiology of sensory symptoms. For example, PES by perineal stimulation (SEP-P) has been shown to be altered in incontinence or neurogenic sexual dysfunction. We wanted to verify the integrity, structure and amplitude of far-field responses of PES-P in two conditions, the first without feeling the need to urinate (S0), the second with urgency (US).

METHODS

SEP-P were recorded in ten patients without neurological pathology in both conditions S0 and US after stimulation of the dorsal nerve of the penis/clitoris. Three consecutive responses each averaged over 1000 passages at a frequency of 3Hz were recorded.

RESULTS

Seven men and 3 women were included. All patients had normal SEP-P in terms of amplitude and latency of the P40 complex and fully reproducible especially for late responses. These early P40 responses were identical in both S0 and US states. Conversely, the far-field potentials, i.e. the late responses, were different in the two states, with a significant decrease (P<0.008 paired T-test) in the amplitude of cortical responses in the US state.

CONCLUSION

We observe that the late components of SEP-P were altered by the need to urinate urgently with sustained and selective attention to this need. These late components of SEP-P could be useful to better specify the attentional mechanisms involved in the continence-voiding cycle and to specify pathological sensory dysfunctions (urgency, painful bladder, frequency…).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Urinary biomarkers profiles in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity according to their neurological condition

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the disease-specific urinary levels variations of neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF), mediators of inflammation (TGFβ-1, PGE-2) and markers of extracellular matrix alterations (TIMP-2) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) spinal cord injury (SCI), or spina bifida (SB), and neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO).

METHODS

A prospective single-center study was conducted between March 2015 and March 2017. Patients aged over 18 years old, with neurological disease, with a urodynamic diagnosis of NDO were included. The urinary levels of NGF, BDNF, TIMP-2, PGE 2, and TGF-β1 were measured using dedicated ELISA kits.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients were included: 6 with MS, 20 with SCI, and 15 with spina bifida. The average urinary level of NGF/Cr was significantly higher in MS patients compared to other neurologic populations (8 vs. 0.56 vs. 1.25 pg/mg of creatinine; p = 0.001) as well for the average urinary level of BDNF (88.3 vs. 5 vs. 4.8 pg/mg of creatinine; p < 0.0001). SCI patients had a significantly lower level of TGFβ-1 than SB patients (p = 0.04). The urinary level of PGE2 was significantly correlated with the Body Mass Index (r = 0.61; p = 0.0002).

CONCLUSION

All NDO may not be created equal from the molecular standpoint. Multiple sclerosis patients had higher urinary levels of neurotrophins than in other neurologic populations with NDO. Urinary TGFβ-1, a strong determinant of extracellular matrix, was significantly higher in spina bifida patients compared to SCI patients. These findings underscore the importance of using and interpreting those possible urinary markers in a disease-specific fashion.

Management of urethrocutaneous fistulae complicating sacral and perineal pressure ulcer in neurourological patients: A national multicenter study from the French-speaking Neuro-urology Study Group and the Neuro-urology committee of the French Association of Urology

PURPOSE

To describe the epidemiologic characteristics of urethrocutaneous fistulae (UCF) in sacro-perineal pressure ulcer (SPPU) in neurourological patients and to assess outcomes after surgical urinary diversion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Through the French-speaking Neurourology Study Group and Association of Urology network, a retrospective multicenter study in nine major urology and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) units was conducted. All patients with SPPU associated with UCF between 2000 and 2016 were included. Data concerning: sociodemography, clinical, medical and biological comorbidities, neurological and urological history, pressure ulcer characteristics, and finally urinary diversion surgery were collected. Complications and SPPU healing/relapse were assessed.

RESULTS

In all, 74 patients were included. The median age on diagnosis: 45.9 years (interquartile range [IQR], 38.7-53.4) and median follow-up: 15.1 months (IQR, 5.7-48.8). A psychiatric disorder was the most frequent comorbidity (44.6%). Only 59.5% and 50% had regular PMR and urologic follow-up, respectively. Seventy-one patients (95.9%) underwent urinary diversion surgery. Among those, relapse occurred in 15 (21.1%) at the end of the follow-up. The diversion was noncontinent in 85.9%. The major complications rate was 26.8%. A total of 30 late complications in 21 patients were reported. The most frequent was obstructive pyelonephritis (n = 9). All of the patients who underwent surgical diversion without cystectomy (n = 5) developed a pyocyst. Finally, the pressure ulcer healing rate when patients underwent both urinary diversion and pressure ulcer surgery was 74.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our retrospective data suggest that UCF complicating SPPU is a rare and severe pathology. The combination of radical urinary diversion with cystectomy and pressure ulcer surgery should be performed as often as possible.

[Use of botulinum toxin A in pelvic floor dysfunctions in the elderly: A review]

INTRODUCTION

The present article is the final report of a multi-disciplinary meeting supported by the GRAPPPA (group for research applied to pelvic floor dysfunctions in the elderly). The objective was to conduct a comprehensive review on the role of botulinum toxin A (BonTA) in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions in the elderly.

METHODS

The present article, written as a comprehensive review of the literature, combines data issued from the scientific literature with expert's opinions. Review of the literature was performed using the online bibliographic database MedLine (National Library of Medicine). Regarding intra-detrusor BonTA injections, only articles focusing on elderly patients (>65 yo) were included. Regarding other localizations, given the limited number of data, all articles reporting outcomes of BonTA were included, regardless of studies population age. In case of missing or insufficient data, expert's opinions were formulated.

RESULTS

Although, available data are lacking in this specific population, it appears that BonTA could be used in the non-fraily elderly patients to treat overactive bladder or even neurogenic detrusor overactivity, with a success rate comparable to younger population at 3 months (88.9% vs. 91.2%), 6 months (49.4% vs. 52.1%) and 12 months (23.1% vs. 22.3%), as well as a significant decrease in number of voids per day (11.4 vs. 5.29 P<0.001) and in the number of pads per day (4.0 vs. 1.3, P<0.01). Furthermore, BonTA is likely to be offered in the future as a treatment of fecal incontinence and obstructed defecation syndrome symptoms. Concerning bladder outlet obstruction/voiding dysfunction symptoms, intra-urethral sphincter BonTA should not be recommended.

CONCLUSION

BonTA injections are of interest in the management of various pelvic floor dysfunctions in the elderly, and its various applications should be better evaluated in this specific population in order to further determine its safety and efficacy.

Risk of prolapse and urinary complications in adult spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor using clean intermittent catheterization versus Valsalva voiding

AIMS

To assess the relative risks of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary complications in adult spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor voiding with Valsalva versus those using clean-intermittent catheterization (CIC).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis including all spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Patients were then divided in two groups according to their bladder management: voiding with Valsalva versus CIC. The primary endpoint was any de novo or worsened rectal and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP) diagnosed during follow-up. The secondary outcome was urinary complications defined as febrile urinary tract infections (UTI) and/or urolithiasis and/or renal failure.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients (50.9% were males) met the inclusion/exclusion criteria: 28 voiding with Valsalva and 27 performing CIC. At baseline, the rates of vaginal prolapse (44.4% vs 50%; P = 0.99), and rectal prolapse/intussusception (25.9% vs 21.4%; P = 0.76) were similar in both groups. After a median follow-up of 80.6 and 65.6 months, respectively (P = 0.29), the rate of de novo or worsened rectal prolapse/intussusception was higher in the Valsalva voiding group than in the CIC group (32.1% vs 3.7%; P = 0.01). De novo or worsened vaginal prolapses were also more common in the Valsalva voiding group, but it did not reach statistical significance (33.3% vs 11.1%; P = 0.29).

CONCLUSIONS

Valsalva voiding might be harmful in adult spina bifida patients with neurogenic acontractile detrusor as it may increase the risk of rectal prolapse/intussusception. Overall, the prevalence of POP and rectal prolapse was high in both groups.

Emptying cystometry: A feasibility and validation pilot study on female patients

INTRODUCTION

To assess the feasibility and the accuracy of emptying cystometry in order to simplify the manometric follow-up of overactive detrusor in neurological patients under anticholinergic or botulinum toxin injections.

MATERIAL

Female patients with a stable detrusor underwent both a conventional cystometry and sequential measurements of bladder pressure during emptying (emptying cystometry). At the end of the standard cystometry, a CH12 urinary catheter was introduced in the bladder and was connected to a three-way stopcock. The second way of the stopcock permitted the emptying. The third way of the stopcock was connected to a vertical graduated tube to measure the bladder pressure each 50mL during the bladder emptying.

RESULTS

Eleven female patients were included (mean age: 59.4years). Nine patients (82%) had neurogenic bladder. Mean cystometric capacity was 439mL (SD: 35mL). During the emptying cystometry, 8 to 10 measures were taken (mean: 9.4). The mean detrusor pressure was 1.7cmH₂O (SD 2.1) for the filling cystometry and 2.3cmH₂O (SD: 2.7) for the emptying cystometry. The agreement between the detrusor pressure between the two cystometries was good with intra-class correlation coefficient at 0.66 [0.48-0.77] - and the correlation was high (r=0.7; P<0.000001).

CONCLUSION

In a small, selected sample of patients, emptying cystometry provides similar results of detrusor pressure to filling cystometry. This technique could constitute a home monitoring of bladder pressures in a selected population of patients with intermittent catheterization in whom a manometric follow-up of detrusor overactivity is required.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Switch to Abobotulinum toxin A may be useful in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity when intradetrusor injections of Onabotulinum toxin A failed

AIMS

To assess the outcomes of switching to a different brand of botulinum toxin A (BTA, from Botox® to Dysport®) in case of failure of intradetrusor injections (IDI) of Botox® in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO).

METHODS

The charts of all patients who underwent a switch to IDI of Dysport® after failure of an IDI of Botox® at six departments of neurourology were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcomes of interest were the bladder diary data and four urodynamic parameters: maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), maximum detrusor pressure (PDET max), and volume at first uninhibited detrusor contraction (UDC).

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients were included. After the first injection of Dysport®, no adverse events were reported. A significant decrease in number of urinary incontinence episodes per day was observed in 52.63% of patients (P < 0.001) and all patients experienced a reduction in PDET Max (-8.1 cmH20 on average; P = 0.003). MCC significantly increased by a mean of 41.2 (P = 0.02). The proportion of patients with no UDC increased significantly at week 6 after ATA injections (from 15.79% to 43.9%; P = 0.0002). Hence, 32 patients draw clinical and/or urodynamic benefits from the botulinum toxin switch from (56.14%). After a median follow up of 21 months, 87% of responders to BTA switch were still treated successfully with BTA.

CONCLUSION

Most patients refractory to Botox® (56.14%) draw benefits from the switch to Dysport®.

Outcomes of intra-detrusor injections of botulinum toxin in patients with spina bifida: A systematic review

CONTEXT

Bladder management in spina bifida patients relies on clean intermittent catheterization and oral antimuscarinics with a significant failure rate. The efficacy of intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin has been confirmed in patients with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis but not in patients with myelomeningocele.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review of current evidence regarding the efficacy of intra-detrusor injections of Botulinum Toxin A (BTX-A) in spina bifida patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) refractory to antimuscarinics.

METHODS

A research has been conducted on Medline and Embase using the keywords: ("spina bifida" OR "myelomeningocele" OR "dysraphism") AND "toxin." The search strategy and studies selection were performed using the PICOS method according to the PRISMA statement.

RESULT

Twelve published series were included (n = 293 patients). All patients were <18 years old. There was no randomized study comparing BTX-A versus placebo and most studies had no control group. Most studies reported a clinical and urodynamic improvement with resolution of incontinence in 32-100% of patients, a decrease in maximum detrusor pressure from 32 to 54%, an increase of maximum cystometric capacity from 27 to 162%, and an improvement in bladder compliance of 28-176%. Two studies suggested lower efficacy in patients with low compliance bladder compared to those with isolated detrusor overactivity.

CONCLUSION

Intradetrusor injections of BTX-A could be effective in children with spina bifida but this assumption is not supported by high level of evidence studies. There is no data available in adult patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:557-564, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.