Nocturnal bladder emptying and Quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury

European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 2022 · DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.21.07104-5 · Published: June 1, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Urology Participation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the impact of frequent nighttime urination on the quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). It explores how the number of times a person has to wake up at night to empty their bladder, the method they use to empty it, and whether they experience incontinence affect their overall well-being. The researchers used questionnaires to assess the quality of life of SCI patients, focusing on both general well-being and issues specific to incontinence. They compared the results between different groups of patients, such as those with paraplegia (lower body paralysis) and tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs). The findings suggest that paraplegic patients generally have a better overall quality of life, while tetraplegic patients report a better quality of life related to incontinence, likely due to the use of suprapubic catheters. The study also highlights the need for more specific questionnaires tailored to wheelchair-bound SCI patients.

Study Duration

2012-2016

Participants

79 patients with SCI

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional descriptive study

Key Findings

1
General Quality of Life was better for paraplegic patients compared to tetraplegic patients.
2
Incontinence-related Quality of Life was better for tetraplegic patients, likely due to the use of suprapubic catheterization.
3
Paraplegic patients who had to wake up two or more times at night to empty their bladder reported compromised sleep and reduced general Quality of Life.

Research Summary

The study evaluated the influence of nocturnal bladder emptying, bladder emptying method, and nocturnal incontinence on the Quality of Life (QoL) of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The results indicated that general QoL was better for paraplegic patients, while incontinence-related QoL was better for tetraplegic patients, many of whom used suprapubic catheterization. The study also found that paraplegic patients experienced compromised sleep and reduced QoL when they had to wake up two or more times at night to empty the bladder, highlighting the need for urological policies aimed at reducing nighttime bladder emptying in this population.

Practical Implications

Suprapubic Catheterization

Consider the use of suprapubic catheterization to improve the Quality of Life for tetraplegic patients.

Urological Policy for Paraplegics

Focus urological policy on aiming to reduce the number of nighttime bladder emptying to one or none for paraplegic patients.

Questionnaire Development

Develop questionnaires specifically adapted for wheelchair users to better assess the Quality of Life in this population.

Study Limitations

1
The study used questionnaires that may not be fully applicable to wheelchair-bound patients.
2
The sample size may be too small to draw definitive conclusions, especially regarding the group with incomplete SCI.
3
The imbalance between chronic and acute patients in the study population makes it difficult to detect the general pattern of improvements in life satisfaction in the years following the rehabilitation period.

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