Protective effect of preserved bladder-filling sensation on upper urinary tract in patients with spinal cord injury.

In this study the possible preventive effect of bladder-filling sensation (BFS) on upper urinary tract deterioration (UUTD) in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients was investigated. Eighty-four (60 males, 24 females) patients with SCI who underwent neurourological assessment and urodynamic examinations because of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction and were prescribed appropriate bladder management and were under follow-up and whose disease duration was at least 3 years were included in the study. Bladder-filling sensation was categorised as "absent", "partially preserved" or "preserved", and as "normal" (preserved) and "abnormal" (partially preserved, absent). Presence of hydronephrosis, renal stones, and chronic pyelonephritis in any renal USG or IVP performed during the follow-up period were accepted as criteria of UUTD. The frequencies of UUTD for BFS subgroups were determined and compared. Mean age and mean disease duration were 38.4 ± 13.0 years and 72.2 ± 36.2 months. The frequency of UUTD was 31/84 (36.9 %) in the study population. The frequencies of UUTD were 0/8 (0 %), 22/53 (41.5 %) and 9/23 (39.1 %) for "preserved" "partially preserved" and "absent" BFS subgroups, respectively (p = 0.074). There was a statistically significant difference between normal BFS [0/8 (0 %)] and abnormal BFS [31/76 (40.8 %)] subgroups (p = 0.024). According to the results of our study preserved (normal) bladder-filling sensation has protective effect on upper urinary tract in patients with SCI.