Normal Ranges of Variability for Urodynamic Studies of Neurogenic Bladders in Spinal Cord Injury

J Spinal Cord Med, 2006 · DOI: · Published: January 1, 2006

Simple Explanation

Urodynamic studies are essential for monitoring bladder function in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). These studies help healthcare providers evaluate bladder and sphincter function. Differences in urodynamic parameters can occur between studies or from year to year, which raises the question of whether these changes are significant or simply normal variations. This study aims to provide reference ranges for normal variability in urodynamic parameters, assisting healthcare providers in interpreting urodynamic results and deciding when intervention is necessary.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

50 individuals with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Level 3, Retrospective chart review

Key Findings

1
The study provides ranges of variability for urodynamic parameters such as cystometric capacity, opening pressure, maximum detrusor pressure, volume voided, and postvoid residual.
2
Variability ranges are presented in three percentile ranges (5th to 95th, 10th to 90th, and 25th to 75th) to provide healthcare providers with more choices for assessing urodynamic changes.
3
The results indicate that significant variability exists in urodynamic studies, which should be considered when interpreting changes in bladder function after SCI.

Research Summary

This study aimed to establish reference ranges for normal variability in urodynamic parameters for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Urodynamic studies are crucial for assessing bladder function in this population, but variations in parameters can pose challenges in determining whether changes are clinically significant. The study involved a retrospective chart review of 50 SCI patients who underwent two urodynamic trials within a short timeframe. Data collected included maximum cystometric capacity, opening pressure, maximum detrusor pressure, volume voided, and postvoid residual. The study provides variability reference ranges to help health care providers decide whether a difference in a urodynamic parameter from one study to the next is a true change.

Practical Implications

Clinical Decision Making

The provided variability ranges can assist clinicians in determining whether changes in urodynamic parameters are clinically significant or simply due to normal variability.

Treatment Planning

Understanding the normal variability can help avoid unnecessary interventions based on minor fluctuations in urodynamic parameters.

Monitoring Bladder Function

The reference ranges offer a tool for more accurately monitoring bladder function and identifying true changes that may require further investigation or treatment adjustments.

Study Limitations

1
The study only examined short-term variability (5 minutes apart), which may not fully reflect long-term changes in urodynamic parameters.
2
The variability ranges may not be generalizable to all SCI patients, as the study population included individuals with different bladder management methods and levels of injury.
3
Long-term variability in this cohort was not evaluated.

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