Urinary tract infection in spinal cord injury.

Loss of normal bladder function results in increased risk of developing urinary tract infection. Recurrent bacteriuria continues to be a problem in most spinal cord injured persons regardless of the bladder emptying method used. Lower urinary tract complications have decreased with intermittent catheterization, but the effect of increased intravesical pressure and presence of bacteriuria on renal function are still undetermined. Current methods of neurogenic bladder management are often based on professional or institutional presuppositions rather than scientific data. Although there are many unanswered questions about the role of urinary tract infection in spinal cord injury patients, treatment should be based on scientific knowledge, even though the knowledge base is still limited. Preservation of renal function is the ultimate goal of any method of neurogenic bladder management. Although a person with spinal cord injury is described, the material covered is applicable to other neurogenic bladder disturbances.