Prevalence of Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction in the Outpatient Clinic of Pediatric Urology and Nephrology

Abstract

Objective Bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) is defined as the presence of functional alterations in both organs. The correct diagnosis and treatment prevent the exposure of patients to multiple antibiotic treatments, invasive procedures and radiological studies. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of BBD in the outpatient clinic of pediatric urology and nephrology.

Methods A prospective cohort composed of 334 patients aged between 5 and 18 years was evaluated. The Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score (PLUTSS) was applied. A score higher than 8 was considered as significant urinary symptomatology. Moreover, the Bristol Stool Scale and the Rome IV Criteria for functional constipation and fecal incontinence were used. Patients with organic pathologies were excluded. The risk factors were evaluated using logistic regression models.

Results The median age was 9 years old (interquartile range [IQR]: 6–13). The PLUTSS questionnaire was significant in 16.5% of the kids, constipation was found in 31.9%, and fecal incontinence, in 4%. The prevalence of BBD was of 27.8%. The female gender (odds ratio [OR]: 2.47; p = 0.002) and psychological disorders (OR: 4.637; p = 0.024) were considered risk factors. The evaluation of the PLUTSS questionnaire showed relevance regarding incontinence (OR: 3.059; p = 0.038), enuresis (OR: 8.532; p < 0.001); intermittent flow (OR: 9.211; p = 0.004), frequency (OR: 6.73; p = 0.005), and constipation (OR: 34.46; p < 0.001).

Conclusions The prevalence of BBD is of 27.8% in the outpatient clinic. It is important to prevent associated complications and the exposure to multiple antibiotic treatments, as well as invasive and imaging procedures, which also generate high costs to the health system.

Resumen

Objetivo El síndrome de disfunción de la vejiga y del intestino (DVI) se define como la presencia de alteraciones funcionales en ambos órganos. El correcto diagnóstico y tratamiento previene la exposición de los pacientes a múltiples manejos antibióticos, procedimientos invasivos y estudios radiológicos. El objetivo de este estudio es estimar la prevalencia de DVI en la consulta ambulatoria de urología y nefrología pediátrica.

Métodos Se evaluó una cohorte prospectiva de 334 pacientes de 5 a 18 años. Se aplicó el cuestionario de Puntuación de Síntomas del Tracto Urinario Inferior (Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score, PLUTSS), cuyo resultado mayor a 8 fue considerado significativo. Adicionalmente, se usó la Escala de Heces de Bristol (Bristol Stool Scale) y los Criterios Roma IV (Rome IV Criteria) para estreñimiento e incontinencia fecal. Los factores de riesgo se evaluaron bajo modelos de regresión logística.

Resultados La edad mediana fue de 9 años (rango intercuartil [RIC]: 6–13). El cuestionario PLUTSS fue significativo en 16,5% de los niños, y se observó estreñimiento en 31,9%, e incontinencia fecal en 4%. La prevalencia de DVI fue de 27,8%. El sexo femenino (razón de probabilidades [RP]: 2.47; p = 0.002) y desordenes psicológicos (RP: 4.637; p = 0.024) fueron considerados factores de riesgo. La evaluación del cuestionario PLUTSS mostró relevancia en incontinencia (RP: 3.059; p = 0.038), enuresis (RP: 8.532; p < 0.001), flujo intermitente (RP: 9.211; p = 0.004), frecuencia (RP: 6.73; p = 0.005), y estreñimiento (RP: 34.46; p < 0.001).

Conclusiones La prevalencia de DVI fue de 27.8% en la consulta ambulatoria. Es importante prevenir complicaciones asociadas y la exposición a múltiples tratamientos antibióticos, procedimientos invasivos e imagenológicos, que adicionalmente generan altos costos al sistema de salud.

Keywords

bladder and bowel dysfunction - constipation - lower-urinary-tract symptoms - pediatric urology - pediatric nephrology - prevalence

Palabras clave

disfunción de la vejiga y del intestino - estreñimiento - síntomas del tracto urinario inferior - urología pediátrica - nefrología pediátrica - prevalencia

Publication History

Received: 10 April 2020

Accepted: 26 May 2020

Article published online:
06 October 2020

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